radiators, lack of drain plug

Dave1 · Unread post by **Dave1** » 28 Apr 2007, 18:05

Just wondered if anyone can enlighten as to why a replacement ZX radiator has it's drain plug sealed. I have fitted a Valeo and the hole at the bottom where the drain plug goes is now sealed (yet it is still there). It is also the same for a Pug 306. I remember reading somewhere that Citroen now say it is not necessary to change anti freeze. Is this why?

I always change it every 2 years, only now it is a little harder to do

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 28 Apr 2007, 19:51

No, that it not the reason

It's because it's cheaper to do away with the drain plug...

I hate it when they do that. You now have to release the bottom hose to drain

Very horrible if you have the socket and spring clip type hose connectors.

Coolant must be changed every two years in my opinion, even if it claims to be long-life.

And now a very messy job. I have no drain plug on my 205 rad. I found the best method of draining, to save disturbing hoses, was to remove the waterpump and drain it from there. A two-yearly change of coolant will co-incides nicely with a routine change of cambelt and waterpump.

Brian UK · Unread post by **Brian UK** » 29 Apr 2007, 09:35

citrojim wrote:A two-yearly change of coolant will co-incides nicely with a routine change of cambelt and waterpump.

You must do a lot of miles then.
My current PSA engine has cambelt renewal at 100k miles, the last was at 72k.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 30 Apr 2007, 16:15

Brian UK wrote:
citrojim wrote:A two-yearly change of coolant will co-incides nicely with a routine change of cambelt and waterpump.
You must do a lot of miles then.
My current PSA engine has cambelt renewal at 100k miles, the last was at 72k.

No, not really, if I did I could never afford to run an Activa

I simply change belts and waterpumps on all of 'em every two years wether they need doing or not. Call me paranoid but cheap compared with failure

I once had a 405 waterpump fail on a cold, snowy day when I needed to undertake a journey next day that could not be put off and I only had one car then. Doing a waterpump outside under those conditions focussed my mind a bit

Dave1 · Unread post by **Dave1** » 30 Apr 2007, 17:42

citrojim wrote:No, that it not the reason It's because it's cheaper to do away with the drain plug...

I hate it when they do that. You now have to release the bottom hose to drain Very horrible if you have the socket and spring clip type hose connectors.

Coolant must be changed every two years in my opinion, even if it claims to be long-life.

And now a very messy job. I have no drain plug on my 205 rad. I found the best method of draining, to save disturbing hoses, was to remove the waterpump and drain it from there. A two-yearly change of coolant will co-incides nicely with a routine change of cambelt and waterpump.

That was my first thought but I cannot believe it. On my ZX there is a kind of male/ female plug that clips together (the pug has a spring clip though). It is not particularly easy to acces and not nec. that easy to get on and off. Also by doing that way the coolant will go all over the place. What a Bl@@dy stupid thing to do away with.

James.UK · Unread post by **James.UK** » 03 May 2007, 02:17

Maybe if you got a big container to use as a header tank, then opened the bleed valve near the Heater hoses, you could pour enough new coolant in to make the car safe (lower the acid levels) for another two years?
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