FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Draining and Topping Up Coolant



Note:
After topping up the coolant, bleed the cooling system and check for water tightness, refer to Bleeding cooling system and checking for water leaks.

Drain coolant

Caution:
Danger of scalding!
Safety information: Only perform this work after engine has cooled down.







Separate expansion tank
Unfasten cap on expansion tank.






Integrated expansion tank
Unfasten cap on expansion tank.






Remove front underbody protection and unfasten drain plug at bottom of radiator if necessary.

Installation:
Replace gasket.
Tightening Torque, refer to Cooling System, Specification.
Drain, catch and dispose off coolant.






Unfasten drain plug on engine block.

Installation:
Replace gasket.
Tightening Torque, refer to Cooling System, Specification.
Drain, catch and dispose off coolant.






Top up coolant
Separate expansion tank
No bleed screws on radiator and thermostat housing! All bleeding occurs through the vent pipe which leads to the connection on the expansion tank. Coolant system is vented during the filling procedure.






Integrated expansion tank
Unfasten vent screw on expansion tank. All bleeding occurs through vent plug on expansion tank. Cooling system is vented after the filling procedure.







Note: Before filling, switch on ignition, set heater control to maximum temperature and set fan to low speed. This opens heating valves and installed auxiliary water pump runs if necessary.

Perform filling operation slowly.
Fill expansion tank completely and wait until coolant emerges at vent point(s) without bubbles. Close bleed screw(s).

Note: Only use specified coolant.