Coolant pipe routing

[andyps]

I've replaced all my coolant hoses and on putting them back together there is one I can't remember what the routing was. It is the one from the lower point of the radiator that goes through the drain tap on the subframe then up to a bleed piece before heading to the heater. It is the routing and position of the bleed that I can't remember, in particular whether it goes above or below the subframe at that point, and if it is above how it relates to the other hoses there are in the area around the master cylinder/servo.

I can't find a decent picture online so if someone could post one that would be great, it's one of few areas I forgot to photograph properly before I took the old hoses off.

[Richard Fridd]

Photo from nthmas thread

[andyps]

Thanks Richard, I've got that bit (I hope) it is where it goes between there where it goes through the bulkhead to the heater that I'm not sure about.

[lancialulu]

S2? If so there should be a T piece bleed valve half way along the free floating return pipe which then goes through the bulkhead on passenger side below the feed pipe, and connects to the lower heater matrix pipe IIRC.

[andyps]

It is an S2 and that is the route it takes, I'm just not sure if it goes above or below the subframe cross member that is beneath the master cylinder and has the engine mount half way along. I've got the T-piece breather valve but wish it wasn't plastic as I wonder about the strength of such old plastic.

[lancialulu]

goes under.

[andyps]

Great, thanks! It looked like it should, but I wasn't sure the breather was high enough routing it that way.

[lancialulu]

After my first foray into this with my S2 Fulvia 15 years ago finding it a palaver to bleed the coolant system through that plastic vent I have never done it again and my system always fills without drama provided the heater valve is open and not blocked.....

[andyps]

I'm concerned that my cooling system will be pretty furred up throughout. My plan is to get things running and use radiator flush to clean it all out, probably doing a couple of flushes to do it as best I can. The radiator has been re-cored so at least that will be OK but I don't want it getting blocked up with bits from elsewhere.

Thanks for your help again.

[lancialulu]

The heater matrix is the weak link with years of running without full concentration antifreeze if furs up. I had to use judicial pressure from an air line to unblock a 2c recently, but if you have good water pressure I would reverse flush until you get clear running water (could be 20 minutes....!). So top heater hose connect to water supply and undo bottom heater connection to main rad...