Service - and coolant change snag

[jackcramerr]

Also, no need to remove any covers. There is a hole lined up through the cover for the drain plug. And one can easily get access to plug from top so no need to jack it up. Just do not completely remove the plug or the thermostate cap. Else the coolant will go everywhere.

What a good design it is. 

[madasahatter]

On 21/04/2016 at 7:38 PM, johnatg said:

As my car has its tenth birthday in a week or so (although it has only done 55K miles), I reckoned it was time to do a bit of an interval service.

Apart from changing the oil and filter and doing the usual stuff, I tried to change the coolant. Now there are supposed to be two drain cocks for the engine block. The service manual is a bit vague about exactly where they are but I reckoned I'd see with the lower cover removed. Well, I'm damned if I can see anything like a drain ***** on either side of the block. Access to the left hand side is very restricted, but the right hand side is relatively clear. Has anyone actually found them and can direct me to exactly where they are, say in relation to the engine mounts? Anyway, I extracted about 3½ litres (a bit more than  a third of the total capacity) from the radiator drain and replaced it with fresh coolant. My plan now is to do that every year from now on - it will at least keep the coolant refreshed. What came out was perfectly clean and measured the correct density with my 'floating balls' hydrometer. I guess the corrosion inhibitors will be a bit depleted though.

I used Comma XStream G30 - it's the same spec as Toyota long life coolant and half the price. And as you're supposed to change the coolant every five years from now on I reckon it will be OK. We'll see!

I also changed the serpentine belt - that's an easy job, especially with the coolant header tank removed. Actually, the old belt looked good - no cracks or anything. But it is ten years old. New ones (Gates seem to be the only company making 7PK1550 (that's 7 ribs, single sided, 1550 mm long) belts), only cost about £16 on Ebay.

Just need to change the brake fluid and check the brake sliders now!

This shows drain plugs.

 

[jackcramerr]

Thanks. I didn' do the block. I will do it next year or simply drain it from radiator. It is easy job anyway.

[jackcramerr]

Wish I had done the block though :)

[madasahatter]

5 minutes ago, jackcramerr said:

Wish I had done the block though :)

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