Push Rod Shields,2 b or not 2 b?

[Worleyboy]

DG 1.9 1984 Caravell
Ok I know that I have to do a fuel tank clean out and pipe renewall, so tank has to come out. While I`m at it I have a bad conscience about antifreez. To be honest I have been ignorant of the importance of right quality anti freez, but I have emptied what anti freez I could get out and renewed it, maybe three times during ownership . The problem is that I have "plate" pushrod shields which hinder getting to the Allen key emptying plugs under the cylinder housing. Removing these plates involves removing nuts/bolts from the exhaust ports, best left alone sayes my Guardian Angel. Do all DG engines have these shield plates? Dare I cut them off to get att the pluggs?
Maybe its too late to get in the right anti freez, hold on and do a reduild at a later date.

[kevtherev]

If you leave the shield off then you risk damaging the feeble pushrod tubes, and the engine will empty all it's oil in quick time.
I don't understand why you want to get at the core plugs.
Simply flush the cylinders out with fresh water.
Then when you fill it back up add the correct amount neat G+ (9 L iirc) and top it up with water.

[Worleyboy]

Sorry, been busy with lots of other things + fuel tank removal and refitting. I will need advice about flushing cooling system later on towards Automn. New subject coming, things still not quite right.

[California Dreamin]

As Kev points out...a coolant change does not involve taking out these plugs.
Best advice is pulling off hoses at several points and using your garden hose, flush through placing the hose at different points and running until the liquid coming out is 'clear'
It is unlikely that you have done any damage, however, look for VW G12+ spec when it comes to buying (not necessarily genuine)

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-a ... &0&cc5_866" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Even cheaper when purchasing a 20L (enough for two changes and top-ups in between)

Martin

[silverbullet]

You cant get the case properly drained without removing the tube guards and removing the M8 socket headed drain plug from each head.
VW put them there for a reason

Ich fahre einen Bulli. Ich hilfe mir selbst...meistens!

[itchyfeet]

I don't bother removing drain plugs, I flush the heads and water jackets on each side by removing pipes from the heads and inserting a hose pipe watch until it runs clear

There will just be freash water in there when you finish.

Add your 8L of antifreeze neat then add water to get the right concentration because there will be some water inside already.

My covers are set up to spring over studs that are just proud, no extra nuts needs on the exhaust studs, easy to remove.

[kevtherev]

You cant get the case properly drained without removing the tube guards and removing the M8 socket headed drain plug from each head.
VW put them there for a reason

Ich fahre einen Bulli. Ich hilfe mir selbst...meistens!

Unless the engine is coming apart I see no reason to empty it.
Simply diluting the fluid left will be enough, plus flushing helps remove some crap surely?

[itchyfeet]

My covers are set up to spring over studs that are just proud, no extra nuts needs on the exhaust studs, easy to remove.

this is what I mean, Just found the pic, if you are removing the covers or changing the exhaust don't bother putting the extra nuts back, just spring it over, it won't fall off, mine has been like this for many years.