Cooloant Density

[womad]

Hi

I have bought one of these "floating disc antifreeze testers" mine is current showing 2 floating discs (where 5 is maximum protection -34F) Should it be 3 floating discs in this weather as heating up very quickly at moment.

Someone also told me that putting pure antifreeze (topping up) into expansion tank does funny things to the head but Haynes manual says opposite !!!

Btw i have 1.9 petrol 1988 caravelle

I live in East Kent and haven't met anyone mechanical to maybe assist me in small matters like this - so if anyone is local then would be pleased to meet you

[kevtherev]

you need 9 litres of anti freeze/anti corrosion VW G12+ or equivilant, then top that up with water... that's about 50%.

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[California Dreamin]

50% mix (50/50) gives protection down to mid 30's centigrade, which is what you want in a wasserbox (watercooled flat four engine)
These engines have the head bolts going through the water jacket and so are prone to corroding if the coolant mix is either weak or not changed as per service schedule.
You need all 5 discs floating for the correct strength.

The Diesels aren't quite as critical and a 40/60 mix is sufficient. (40% antifreeze)

Martin

[womad]

Ok so its apparent that there is not enough coolant in system

As was only changed last September when recon engine was fitted , can a few litres be drained off via the drain plug and then topped up via expansion tank without need for bleeding ?

Expansion tank full to brim constantly so can only assume incorrect level of coolant went into system in first place

[California Dreamin]

Did you check the mix from the main header tank and not the expansion tank...I only say that because you are only going to get a true reading from main header as that constantly turns over and mixes.

With a total capacity of over 17 litres (because of it's front mounted radiator) the T3 takes an aweful lot of coolant and I guess your garage decided to cut corners a little and just put enough antifreeze in to get you through winter without problems, so a minus 15 mix 25% mix, something like that.

Martin

[womad]

Now I am confused I know the expansion tank (dalek head) and top up tank (behind number plate) so what is the Header Tank ??!

[jamesc76]

in this weather even if the car was on neat raw water it would be ok, coolant lowers the freezing point, so if ya vans running hot it aint nowt to do with the strength of the coolant!

[kevtherev]

Now I am confused I know the expansion tank (dalek head) and top up tank (behind number plate) so what is the Header Tank ??!

the header tank you have wrongly called the expansion tank...because the expansion tank is the top up tank behind the flap where coolant expands into it

the header tank is at the highest point of the cooling system and will collect air .... then push it out into the top up (expansion) tank

[California Dreamin]

Exspansion tank (behind number plate)
Main tank...inside and to the left of the engine bay, which needs to be 100% full (I guess by Kevs description may or may not be the header tank as technically the header is the top section of the radiator when the filler/pressure cap, is in that position) is the one you need to sample for coolant strength. Obviously not when hot and under pressure.

Not sure why James mentioned you van possibly running hot?
The point is, It just needs an adequate antifreeze strength so the internals are protected from corrosion (especially those head bolts)

Martin

[womad]

ok so i got the sample from the main tank (the one on left under bonnet) it is and always has been full too brim

question is can i drain some off from drain plug and topup without need for bleeding system

[kevtherev]

just get a bike pump and suck it out

[xpress]

How do you drain to refill to correct spec? Coolant drain plug!? What's the tools needed for it any extensions or hex socket?