Engine Coolant

[milpol1]

Hello all...............HELP I went to start my C5 HDI 2.2 173 VTR+ this morning bearing in mind the temperatures last night and it sounded a bit "lumpy", it took 2 turns of the key to get it going which is unusual and I was wopndering if it may be the coolant geing too cold. I checked the expansion tank and it looks like the coolant is just wate, there is no colouring of the coolant. The expansion taank is full and I was wondering if I could drain some coolant off anf replace it withe proper mixed coolant to avaoid a !freeze", if so mhow would Ido that and where is the drain plug on the radiator and yes I know where to put mpetrol, oil etc but that is my limitation if you know what I mean. Thanks

[Johndouglas]

You probably won't find a drain plug on your radiator. You'll have to remove the bottom hose. Unless you know the type of antifreeze that's already in the system, it would be a mistake to put any other in. They may not mix. Your best solution would be to drain it completely, flush it through then refill.

[Guest clam]

johndouglas is right but if you removed the bottom hose take great care, it's not with a circlip but a sliding clip easy to break.

If you are lucky and get the hose out of the recess it is sealed by a rubber 'O' ring they advise you to replace, I tried at the main dealer and was told they are not available seperatly you have to but the whole bottom hose can't remember the cost but it was ridiculous.

 

I removed the thermostat housing at the same time replaced the thermostat then topped up the fluid with citroen recommended.

 

good luck.

[Guest clam]

johndouglas is right but if you removed the bottom hose take great care, it's not with a circlip but a sliding clip easy to break.

If you are lucky and get the hose out of the recess it is sealed by a rubber 'O' ring they advise you to replace, I tried at the main dealer and was told they are not available seperatly you have to but the whole bottom hose can't remember the cost but it was ridiculous.

 

I removed the thermostat housing at the same time replaced the thermostat then topped up the fluid with citroen recommended.

 

good luck.

[coastline taxis]

Take it to any garage/shop/dealer/halfords and theyl do a antifreeze test for free or a very small charge, If youve none in then if you look at were the 2 water hoses go into the heater matrix (right hand side at the rear of the engine) Youl see the left hose has a bleed cap on it. Just unscrew it the cap along with the radiator cap and let a litre of water out. retighten the top up radiator with a liter of pure antifreez and the jobs done. If youve got any doubt just take it to the dealers and get it done as a frozen engine can run into thoushands to put right

[paul.h]

milpol1,

I think the anti freeze in our C5 is a clearish colour (maybe slightly yellow) and that has been in since new and has not been topped up/diluted at all.