6 hours ago, beta said:

So, are you suggesting that, if I keep the silicate bag (or I change the expansion container with one that has it) I should not worry about?

However, is a small expense in term of material (the coolant is not that expensive) and therefore I was planning to do it at the next oil change... I did not realise that is more complex than I thought.

However, having always done this kind of jobs (also breaks and break fluid change on my motorbike) I was hoping to be able to do it... And in case happy to get some tools to keep for the future.

 

I already have also the campervan that needs coolant change (that is really old, and don't know how much, since I got it second hand)...

 

Thanks for recommendations.

Ditch the bag - or replace the expansion vessel for one without it if your present unit has one. There apparently are some later expansion vessels containing a more robust (plastic, tubular) silicate dispenser, but I'd suggest going without the 'teabag' type.

Edited 14 May, 20242 yr by Warrior193
typo

For what it's worth to drain the coolant;

Undertray off, expansion cap off.

Ignition on, heater to Hi

Pull the connector from the temp sensor on the bottom left radiator hose, then the bottom left radiator hose.

Then pull the bottom right radiator hose for the charge cooler circuit.

Refit hoses and refill, drive on local roads where you can stop regualrly, expect to get alarms for low coolant around three times, stop, top up, continue driving.

My partners car had a lack of heat on the drivers side and heavy contamination from exhaust in the coolant, it came out muddy brown which can't be good.

Reading about the difficulties of flushing this engine and having to essentially replace the coolant 5 times, I took the expansion tank off, the two bottom radiator hoses, and the top connection to the heater matrix then basically aimed my hose pipe with a nozzle into all of the unplugged connections until the water coming out ran clear. After a couple of hundred miles there is still some minor contamination but it's far better than it was.

Edited 26 August, 202526 Aug by e301988325i