2014 cthe 1.4 VRS

is there a drain tap on the bottom of the radiator ? if not what is the best way to drain the cooling system as I want to renew the coolant (G12) before winter. I'm taking the opportunity to fit a new coolant expansion tank at the same time

As ever, any assistance welcomed

Not 100% sure if the VRS is the same rad as my old MK2 TDI but I took the under tray off and the radiator drain was on the nearside bottom of the radiator I removed the expansion tank filler cap first and I did use a hose and flushed out as much old coolant as possable, just to add I did this with the engine cold, I used the correct fluid from VW as a friend who works for VW told me that the pump impeller will be damaged if you use normal coolant from an outlet like halfords unless it has the correct spec for VW engines the fluid i bought was expensive but never had a problem after renewing it, if I rember I think I used 3 litres and then just topped up with water but I did use distilled water much more pure no chemicals in it, checked strength after and it was well over 50% good for our winters

Hmmm,

Had undertray off today, no sign of a radiator drain and lower hose is all but inaccessible, replaced the expansion tank but will be taking the Scabia to my indi to drain flush and renew. violet/red antifreeze and distilled water.

Edited 21 July, 202521 Jul by Crucian

I did the timing belt and pump on my octy and no drain plug either. Couldn't find a drain on the engine block either so drained via the bottom rad hose but got soaked when I removed pump as there was a fair bit still in the block. Most of my old cars had block drain and rad drain points. Either I missed them or they don't bother fitting anymore.

Alasdair

Yes it was a case of lifting car, removing intercooler pipe (blocking off intercooler so it didn't get drained coolant in it),

bottom radiator hose off followed by flushing a number of times with hosepipe and pressurising with compressed air to purge as much as possible.

Finally slowly refilling the system with 50% "violet" antifreeze and distilled water, took the opportunity at the same time to fit a new coolant expansion tank

After using various dedicated outlets, temp sensor ports and removed hoses to flush coolant on my 1.9 / 2.5 / 2.0 diesels over the 23+ years of ownership of various Skodas, I have always found the process messy and adding risk of leaks, especially from radiator drain valve if/when there is one.

So what I have been doing for the past 10 years, is to vacuum out coolant via hoses going to the expansion tank (using a Sealey TP69 vacuum extractor I have been using for 15+ years of oil / coolant / brake fluid / PS fluid changes ). At least both hoses are visible in case of leaks. If you keep vacuum there, e.g. on the tank while blocking off the return hose, no further leaks will happen when removing water pump. For refilling, I keep vacuum on the return hose, and add fluid to the reservoir.

But outside timing belt / water pump changes, I tend not to flush the whole coolant, just drain then replenish the transparent reservoir at least once a year with G12+/++. This keeps silicates content high (silica bag removed years ago of course), so the water pump is happy, and the coolant clean. No problems with this method for the last 6 years on both vRS and the Roomster.

Edited 1 August, 20251 Aug by dieselV6