Title: Coolant change Post by: RDG496 on 04 March, 2021, 07:12:13 PM I'm going to perform my first fluid change of any kind by changing the coolant in my S2 Fulvia hopefully this weekend and install a new set of hoses (Top/Bottom and water pump)
Any do's/don'ts or tips to follow ? Anything I should also be doing whilst the coolant is drained ? The cars seems to be running fine, although I don't recall the temperature ever getting to the half way point on the gauge and I did have to top up the rad with about a pint of coolant last week. Any advice most welcome. Many thanks Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: lancialulu on 04 March, 2021, 09:25:08 PM I would use blue glycol based antifreeze at 50% to minimise corrosion. Also Fulvias “self level” their raditators to putting a pint to top up may just get blown out to its normal level...
Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: frankxhv773t on 05 March, 2021, 09:30:45 AM Are you planning to replace the hose clips too? If not then it's worth checking they all look sound before you start and having some spares handy if any look past their best.
Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: RDG496 on 05 March, 2021, 11:00:31 AM I have the coolant already and will be picking up new clips in the morning.
I was intending to remove the hose and drain from the rad as opposed to undoing the t junction bolt........as Im replacing hoses anyway. Then drain system then fill with water drive to circulate/flush cool then drain and repeat then fill with coolant. Should I do a backflush or leave alone given it seems to be operating OK ? Do I fill the rad or remove the sensor and fill at the water rail ? Cheers Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: nistri on 05 March, 2021, 01:10:30 PM If you can do a backflush, that would be very useful to clean the engine waterways and the heater radiator. Otherwise some old coolant will remain in them (in the engine usually 0.5 liter). The simplest way of doing it is to disconnect the rear hose from the 3 way tap and circulate water through it with the heater valve open. Cover with plastic sheathing the engine and generator. Stop flushing when the water from the 3 way tap appears very clean. Refill slowly to avoid air traps. Blue coolant should be replaced every 2 years. Andrea
Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: RDG496 on 05 March, 2021, 02:13:43 PM Thanks, assuming after draining and low hose pressure. Then perform coolant flush with additive run engine for 5mins, drain do the same with just water once or twice then refill with coolant.
Forgive naive questions, but complete novice here. Cheers. Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: lancialulu on 05 March, 2021, 02:53:17 PM Unless you suspect a furred up radiator and or lots of ferrous corrosion from the block a hose flush through should suffice. Fill via the radiator. If the drain T piece looks at all corroded you would be wise to change it.
Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: nistri on 05 March, 2021, 04:42:15 PM No need to use any additive, in fact they are not advised, just drain and flush with a low pressure hose. I have not been able to find a Fulvia that does not have substantial debris in the heater rad and engine. The antirust additives of the coolant have a limited lifetime unlike the ethylene glycol that of course is the anti-freeze compound.
Be careful with the T tap, its screws are often corroded inside the subframe. Andrea Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: RDG496 on 05 March, 2021, 05:16:57 PM Got it.....will do so without the additive.
Thanks all. Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: nistri on 05 March, 2021, 07:14:52 PM And don't start the engine, just use the water pressure to clear the system, Andrea
Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: SJWhite on 05 March, 2021, 09:30:22 PM Just one wee thing to add. There is a coolant hose running very close to the O/S driveshaft. On JGV this was rubbing and almost through. Hope the pic helps. Cheers
Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: fay66 on 06 March, 2021, 12:00:08 PM Just one wee thing to add. There is a coolant hose running very close to the O/S driveshaft. On JGV this was rubbing and almost through. Hope the pic helps. Cheers Is it different than series 1, my 2c Berlina hoses are nowhere near the drive shaft and the heater hose is attached to the top of the inner wing,?I know coupe heaters are different but I don't remember the series one Rallye Coupe hoses running near the drivershaft either :o Brian 8227 8) Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: nistri on 06 March, 2021, 12:31:38 PM It looks as if on this S2 coupe the hoses have been changed or rerouted. Certainly not a good idea to have one so close to a driveshaft. Try to identify the hose coming from the cabin and going to the engine rad: This is the one used for backflush. In the attached pic you want to use item 11, Andrea
Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: Neil on 06 March, 2021, 01:04:16 PM The routing is definitely incorrect, that hose may need to be re-attached to the base of the subframe along that side clear of the driveshaft, via the three way tap as mentioned, see attached parts book pages.
Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: lancialulu on 06 March, 2021, 02:25:37 PM I have seen this on a few s2s with heater return pipe from the T piece goes under the transverse spring housing and close to the drive shaft before going up and over to the bulkhead opening. I cannot see how a route back to the bulkhead has any built in support. This (1/2") pipe had a T air bleed valve halfway along it. Maybe missing in most cars now and in my experience unnecessary if filling the radiator slowly as Andrea recommends. I us a large plastic tie wrap round the transverse spring housing to pull the hose away from driveshaft. It does not need to be tight.
Title: Re: Coolant change Post by: RDG496 on 06 March, 2021, 09:31:44 PM Had new tires fitted to the car today so coolant plan was delayed.
I thought I had all the hoses need but it appears not. Upper and Lower rad hoses, 1/2in hose from top of water pump. Ive not seen any mention/diagram or shop listing of the hose where the t-junction is, it seems like that is also 2 runs of 1/2 in connected by the t-junction/drain tap. And also the hose that runs from the water rail to the bulkhead....looks like 5/8in perhaps? Just want to make sure I replace all hoses whilst I have the system drained. Cheers. |