As per title really, going to be doing a bit of general maintenance on the Octy on Saturday oil and filter change, secondary air pump fix and I'm also going to change to coolant... Where's the beat place to drain it from? Also, will a buzz through with the garden hose be sufficient to clean it through?

Cheers!

iirc, there is a drainage point near to the front of the passenger wheel arch. I am going to drain mine this w/e, by pulling out the water pump

Hmm I'll have a search for that... I wouldn't be confident enough to pull the pump out!!!

There is actually a tap at the bottom left of the radiator

& you have the right coolant, yeah?

I keep meaning todo this to mine. One of the many jobs I need to get around too.

Hmm I'll have a search for that... I wouldn't be confident enough to pull the pump out!!!

I should say I am doing a cambelt change too. I would not take my comment as the official drainage solution!

I should say I am doing a cambelt change too. I would not take my comment as the official drainage solution!

Haha no I'll have a search for the tap!!

Also I'll just ask for the right coolant when I buy it and trust my motor factor long awaited maintenance!

Is the current stuff pink? You really need the G12++ in it.

A vw mechanic showed me the best way change the coolant. 1st take the top hose off expansion/t filler tank and connect another long hose to it, he uses a small rubber hose which then goes to an old brake line hose to a bucket.Then remove the cap to the tank. He then starts the car and the old coolant goes in to the bucket , he then graudauly pours 2 bottles of pink antifreeze to the tank when it starts to go down. when the water in the bucket starts to go pink, turn off the engine Reconnect the original hose and top up coolant to line. Put cap back on the expansion tank. He says they do this at the workshop, althogh he did this at my house in 5 mins, all the old coolant flushed out , new coolant in and no air locks

Thanks for the info blu!

A vw mechanic showed me the best way change the coolant. 1st take the top hose off expansion/t filler tank and connect another long hose to it, he uses a small rubber hose which then goes to an old brake line hose to a bucket.Then remove the cap to the tank. He then starts the car and the old coolant goes in to the bucket , he then graudauly pours 2 bottles of pink antifreeze to the tank when it starts to go down. when the water in the bucket starts to go pink, turn off the engine Reconnect the original hose and top up coolant to line. Put cap back on the expansion tank. He says they do this at the workshop, althogh he did this at my house in 5 mins, all the old coolant flushed out , new coolant in and no air locks

Just a shame it doesn't work.

The volume of the cooling system is 6+ litres. By the time you have added a litre, it's already mixing with the old coolant.

Exactly. It's not the most reliable of methods, since it will mix with the old. The whole point of replacing your coolant is because it physically breaks down all of it's properties. Most importantly its anti-corrosive properties.

The best way to drain would be to remove one end of whichever coolant hose is lowest, AND find the coolant bung on the engine too (haven't looked for it yet, so don't ask me! ). Most people forget that one.

Bleeding is just an issue you have to deal with, if you want to do things right. Never be in a hurry to get work finished on your car. Learnt that the hard way, many moons ago.

Yep really agree with the above, done the oil and filter change today and it started raining, whacked the temp sensor in quickly and will leave the coolant change for a sunnier day I think. Had a look down there and I think the easiest way is deffo just to take the lowest pipe off then flush through and re fill...

It does work put, 3 bottles in , 1 and half ltres each, the old was like sludge, It does work the old is pumped out and new put in , when it runs clear and pink you stop. my header tank is like new now. No air locks this way . you only put more in as the level drops and it is being pumped out fast . He is the head mechanic and vag trained,

oh yes it does......oh no it dosen't!

has this show reached the westend yet?

this shortcut method will work, but is of more use to a mechanic who is pressed for time

if you want to do a better job, a flush with water after original coolant is changed will be better

If the old coolant was like sludge I think you have deeper issues than that.

It does work put, 3 bottles in , 1 and half ltres each, the old was like sludge, It does work the old is pumped out and new put in , when it runs clear and pink you stop. my header tank is like new now. No air locks this way . you only put more in as the level drops and it is being pumped out fast . He is the head mechanic and vag trained,

VAG trained he may well be, but if that's how he changes coolant, then he needs a slap IMO. Lazy, bad practise.

Hi sorry just tagging on this subject my octy mk1 overheated a bit today I think I stopped it in time before gauge got too high. I topped up with bottle of water from sainsbury.  I'm going to do full change so it's g12++ and how many litres needed ? Cheers