Simon's new Xantia V6 and Leaf blog

[superloopy]

Just out of interest Simon .. how are you going to fully drain down?

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[CitroJim]

The hydraulic pump can also be guilty of radiator stabbing offences too Simon. A sheet of cardboard is useful.

[Mandrake]

Top Tip - don't tow the car with the engine hoist fixings

I mean engine lift hooks

[Mandrake]

Just out of interest Simon .. how are you going to fully drain down?

Good question - do people have any suggestions ?

All I was planning to do was to open the bleed at the bottom of the radiator and all the air bleed valves, let that drain out, then disconnect the radiator hoses which will no doubt drain a bit more out. No doubt some will remain in the heater matrix but there's no way I'm fiddling with those heater matrix joints that always get brittle with age.

Because some old coolant will remain is one reason why I'm going to do the fill up with plain water, idle to mix and dilute then drain again.

At the moment the car has the front wheels up on stands for better access - is that likely to present any problems with draining and getting air out when refilling ?

[CitroJim]

Opening the block drain cocks will help fully draining down...

[Stickyfinger]

I would not drain it nose up high.

[Mandrake]

I would not drain it nose up high.

The thought had crossed my mind. The problem is if I don't put the front up on some stands I can't get enough access under the car to disconnect the bottom hose...

[Stickyfinger]

raise the suspension ?, safety blocks under the sills ?

[Mandrake]

1 on the rad, 2 on the engine (above and below the thermostat) and one on the heater hose.

Can anyone help me with a picture of the two bleed screws near the thermostat ? I've found the one on the heater hose and of course the one on the top of the radiator, but I can't locate the two bleed screws near the thermostat.

[Mandrake]

Ok, found the two allen head bolts with the hole drilled up the middle. Sneaky.

I have all the bleed screws open and the drain open but it's only coming out at what I'd call a fast drip - only about 1 or 2 litres has come out at the moment, at this rate it's going to take an hour just to drain ?? Am I missing something ??

The front is not up on ramps anymore the car is just on high suspension with axle stands under the front for a backup.

The stuff coming out looks clean - its a clear, light turquoise colour, so looks like it has a mixture of blue and green coloured coolants.

[xantia_v6]

The drain plug needs to be partially pulled out after turning 90 degrees.

Have you found the drain valves on the engine block? they are front and back, but the one time I tried to open them they were seized solid, so not risking breakage, I left them alone.

[Mandrake]

Thanks, I found the drain plug had to be pulled out as well, so its drained and I'm most of the way through disassembly now.

I've got the bottom small hose off (which does indeed go to the gearbox oil cooler) but I'm now stuck on trying to get the main radiator hoses off the radiator without damaging them - as I feared they seem to be gummed on fast and I can't get them to budge.

Do most people disconnect the pipes at the engine end and then work the pipes loose from the radiator after the radiator is out and you can get at the pipes from all sides ? I'm considering doing that, except there is a stupid steel pipe coming from under the LHM tank somewhere that comes right up to the radiator and turns at a right angle in front of it - it seems to be a high volume LHM overflow return from the power steering pressure regulator (?) and it completely fouls lifting the radiator out with the pipes still attached.

Ideas anyone ?

I've also noticed the air intake sock is badly crushed so I'd like to take that out to inspect it and reshape it however I can't see how to get it free from the front bumper/grill - is that possible without removing the front ?

[xantia_v6]

I have found that the radiator hoses can be prised off with a screwdriver pushing against the end of the hose, one side then another. The V6 hoses are reasonably stretchy so I have not torn one yet. A bit of twisting action doesn't hurt either.

I think that the bumper needs to come off to get at the air sock.

[Stickyfinger]

Just take great care....most rubber is NFP remember.

[Mandrake]

Just take great care....most rubber is NFP remember.

Indeed, which is why I was being perhaps over cautious.

I found a small flat stamped spanner whose flat rounded handle end was perfect to push under the rubber and slide it around underneath so the radiator is out with no damage to the pipes.

Drizzle has started so I've stopped for a tea break while the weather decides what it is doing.