Xantia 1.8 petrol, cooling system bleed points

spider · Unread post by **spider** » 27 Sep 2010, 19:08

If its brown, its best to let it run out till its clear (or the correct colour)

Best way of flushing a rad is to remove it and flush it from the outlet (put a hose in there), you can't really do this in situ (well you can but read on) as it works best if the rad is upside down.

However, removing the rad will likely cause the need for a bottom hose, assuming its got the same 'quick rust' connector internals as a 406.

elfroy · Unread post by **elfroy** » 26 Nov 2010, 16:18

hi great thread. i have a y reg 1.8 xantia that i have owned for 6 months. with a harsh winter approaching i want to replace the coolant as i have no idea how long this stuffs been in for and its very very brown. the job seems easy enough except for one thing. it seems the previous owner has snapped the brass bleed screw on the thermostat housing

. can the system be bled just through the other bleed valve ????

spider · Unread post by **spider** » 26 Nov 2010, 16:25

No. Not properly anyway.

Depends what is fitted to replace the snapped one. If its just a bolt you can take it out then refit it after.

I do tend to take them right out (the brass ones) anyway rather than wait for the coolant to slowly come out.

When these do snap though they tend to snap the head off and leak so will need to see / good description of what you currently have.

elfroy · Unread post by **elfroy** » 26 Nov 2010, 16:28

its appears the head has snapped off flush to the housing there has been no attempt to fit a replacement.

thanks darren

spider · Unread post by **spider** » 26 Nov 2010, 18:42

Are you sure its the bleed bolt then ? (as these are actually hollow) so it would be pouring coolant out.

I don't have a picture to hand to show you at the moment of what it (should) look like.

elfroy · Unread post by **elfroy** » 26 Nov 2010, 18:57

looking at the pictures posted in this thread its deffo the bleed bolt. i'll up load a picture tommorow when its day time but im 99.9% sure although im by no means an expert lol. there did appear to be a small bit of watery residue around it but the sheared off end looks solid and not hollow. ive been driving it around for 6 months and when i looked in the coolant tank its at the correct level so if it is leaking its minimal.

darren

VertVega · Unread post by **VertVega** » 26 Nov 2010, 19:58

Hi elfroy and Welcome.

If the bleed point is spoiled by the previous owner I guess you need to remove the current 'plug/bolt solution' and add a new bolt.
If the threads are still in good condition then it's easy job but otherwise you should make new threads with next bigger size.
If the thermostat housing (aluminum block) is removed then you can work on it easier.
May be also worth renewing the thermostat. Brown coolant would also mean never changed thermostat

Thermostat housing is fixed to the engine block at four points as seen in pic below (#2 is located below under).
Note that there are two different type pairs and fifth one is the bleed point.

This is from mine but I'm 100% sure that 1.8i 16V is the same.