Changing 1995 TD Xantia Coolant Problem

msr · Unread post by **msr** » 16 Nov 2010, 13:31

I know this should be a simple task and i have just seen the other topic on the front page. I also have the Haynes manual (although not very clear on the location of bleed screws)..

However, it is not going very well so far

Its a 1995 Citroen Xantia 1.9 Turbo Diesel sx.

I have located the draining cap on the bottom left of the radiator. Yet when i turn the cap nothing drains out.

So i thought i would try adding some water at the top of the tank like usual.
I poured in quite a lot and then some started to drip from the bottom - yet not from the draining cap!

The water appears to be coming from the area under the bottom left (below the fog light)

Am i doing something wrong or is there a problem with the car?
It has been running fine and just passed an MOT.

Any advice would be really appreciated.

msr · Unread post by **msr** » 16 Nov 2010, 13:42

Just to add..

I can see the water level right at the top of the radiator tank when the cap is removed. Yet opening the draining tap still does not work.

Either im not opening the correct draining tap or there is a blockage somewhere?

spider · Unread post by **spider** » 16 Nov 2010, 13:49

There's a few types of drain tap.

As you undo it is should sort of come out about 10mm, (its like a spiral thread)

GENTLY! , wiggle it as you turn it. Take care not to break it as they are not usually available without a radiator attached.

msr · Unread post by **msr** » 16 Nov 2010, 14:07

*Edited*

Turns out i wasnt turning the cap hard enough, it had seized up a little. After turning with more force it broke free and is now draining.

Im still puzzled by the leak though - Perhaps its just an overflow?

Ive taken some pictures

Tank full

Yet leaking from here

spider · Unread post by **spider** » 16 Nov 2010, 14:19

That picture is huge (or I'm having pc issues again)

It will run out all over the place (hence saying leave the rad cap on until you have undone the drain to avoid a free shower)

Some run out the actual tap, others have a tiny stub fitted and it runs out that (sometimes you can put a pipe on that to help catch it)

msr · Unread post by **msr** » 16 Nov 2010, 14:33

Yeah the pictures are very big but i wanted to keep the resolution.
Thats why i chose to add thumbnails to the forum rather than the full pictures

Its successfully draining into a big tub now.

Next im planning to flush with the hosepipe before refilling. I can see the in and out pipes on the radiator no problem.

The Haynes manual also mentions flushing the engine. That im not clear on yet.

spider · Unread post by **spider** » 16 Nov 2010, 14:37

Useful thread > http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=33237 (also contains link to another useful one)

You 'must' bleed it and carefully otherwise you will have serious issues.

msr · Unread post by **msr** » 16 Nov 2010, 14:45

I'll give them a good read, thanks

spider · Unread post by **spider** » 16 Nov 2010, 15:21

Bear in mind with your's being a TD and that thread petrol, your bleed points are in different places.

You will have one on the heater hose on the bulkhead still, and one on an extension t-pipe near the head / cambelt cover area, possibly one on the top of the radiator. I do not think you will have one on the thermostat housing (as they tended to be fitted to diesels only that had an expansion bottle) , but there are plenty of DT Xantia owners on here who can advise what / where, I have to work from memory (and that memory is from a 406 anyway)