Cooling System

[Kets]

Hi All

Looking for a bit of help here. I'm in the process of flushing out the cooling system, in readyness for the long hot summer, (wishfull thinking).

In the manual it says "open the drain taps at the bottom of the radiator and at the left handside of the cylinder block".

Can somebody tell me were the drain taps are on the left handside of the cylinder block? And any tips on flushing the system.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[john.p.clegg]

I don't have such on mine,I just remove the bottom hose and let the garden hose run for a while............

John

[ppnelan]

There's a brass plug about halfway up the block near the rear on the lefthand side. It can be replaced by a drain tap, but it's probably not worth it (one less thing to go wrong?!). Better to drain through the bottom of the radiator & remove a hose to flush it out, as stated above.

Matthew

[marcfuller]

where the drain tap is on the left handside of the cylinder block

It is hard to find and hidden behind the exhaust manifold. Here is a pic that might help you locate it on your block-

[curly type 26]

Typical cost saving i think only fitted to early cars replaced by top qaulity brass plug!

[Kets]

Thanks for the prompt replies, and the pics great.

I'll have a look for the plug but will probably do as John says and "just remove the bottom hose and let the garden hose run for a while", if it does the job.

Thanks again

[chicagojeff]

remember, though, to be sure to get all of the 'ol garden hose water out at the end of the flushing...you wouldnt want anything but distilled water or coolant in there in the long run. I did it this way too and it was fine.

[poiuyt]

What's wrong with the water from the garden hose? I never used anything but anti-freeze and tap water and never had a problem in any of my cars from 1966 on. Cars included a Sunbeam Alpine, Fiat 124 Spyder, Oldsmobile, two Ford tauruses, a Mercury Capri, two VW Golfs and a Fiat X1/9. I only had one car that I did not use tap water in and that was a Corvair-powered dune buggy.

I suppose if the tap water you have needs chewing I'd re-think this, but otherwise there should be no problem.

Steve B

[marcfuller]

just remove the bottom hose and let the garden hose run for a while

If you want to do more than drain the system you should also consider removing thermostat for the "flush".

[marcfuller]

What's wrong with the water from the garden hose?

It is a very common and well founded recommendation to use distilled water. And it is also often ignored with little short term impact. But, if given a choice why not? Perhaps if you were stranded on the road, but why willingly introduce any additional minerals and salts into the coolant? Especially in an aging mixed metal (aluminum and iron) system like our Elans?

Here is a very good discussion of coolant chemistry in vintage Triumphs written by a PhD Chem Engineer-
http://www.team.net/sol/tech/coolant.html

My Toyota's Manual reads - "The coolant should be mixed with plain water, preferably demineralized water or distilled water."

Peak Antifreeze advises - "Yes, tap water is commonly used for mixing with antifreeze, however, deionized water or distilled water is preferred. Do not use water softened with salts to mix with antifreeze. "

[stuartgb100]

FWIW, I agree with Marc to best remove the thermostat and flush from there.

I also seem to remember a recommendation to remove the radiator so that it can be both flushed via the filler cap and also back-flushed under pressure.

Can't remember the reason for that, though.

I also remember the recommendation to use only distilled water when filling the system, and to preferably use distilled when topping up.

Can't say I bother much now, though.

Regards,

Stuart.

[chrishewett]

I would also back flush the heater matrix while you are about it. Since I did this the heater has worked much better.
Chris

[cliveyboy]

Whilst you have the system drained check the condition of the coolant hoses and clips.
Also if you remove the radiator you can wash all the dead flys and dirt off and check for damage
Clive