DIY coolant change

[Massa in Perth]

Hi guys, I've followed the instructions in several posts that say to change coolant in the 3200, I should;

1. Switch the heater control to hot
2. Remove the bottom radiator hose
3. Remove the header tank cap
4. Allow coolant to drain then replace bottom hose and refill.
5. run the engine and top up coolant through header tank as necessary

Also, consulting the user manual it says coolant capacity is 14 litres.

Here's the question. When I refilled it, it only took about 8/9 litres. I've run it around the block a few times and left it overnight. All seems normal, heater is hot, hoses are hot, temp gauge behaves normally, but how can 5/6 litres have been left in the car when I drained it? Unless the 14 litre figure is wrong?

I don't know how much came out because I didn't capture it as it was only distilled water, no coolant, since a recent radiator swap.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Toby

 

[Boomerang_GT]

Should be fine.
Unless you don't remove the thermostat, there will be some liters left in the engine and even if you remove it.
Also in the heater for the car heating (sorry, don't know the proper word).

 

[Massa in Perth]

Okay that makes sense, thanks. Means I may only have 4 litres of concentrate in 10 litres of distilled water but 28% is better than nothing. the bottle says 33% to 50%, so a couple of top ups over time and she should be all good.

 

[hladun]

Looking at how the cooling system is arranged, you're not draining the engine block. I have a 4200 so I can't tell you how to do that but maybe someone else can. Having only water in an engine is asking for disaster because an overnight freeze could cost you you're engine.

 

[alfatwo]

I'd just chuck in a couple of litres of pre mixed anti freeze/corrosion fluid, It'll be fine.. no one drives these old cars in the winter anyway!

I remember working for BL in the early 1980's, a few of the 2200's were catching fire on test for no reason... In the end we eventually worked out that neat anti freeze actually ignites!

Dave

 

[philw696]

Love your memoirs Dave.
Remember Clarkson 25 years ago setting fire to a Cavalier with brake fluid onto the exhaust manifold.
He never liked Vauxhalls and was obviously a Fool for longer than I thought.

 

[Massa in Perth]

Looking at how the cooling system is arranged, you're not draining the engine block. I have a 4200 so I can't tell you how to do that but maybe someone else can. Having only water in an engine is asking for disaster because an overnight freeze could cost you you're engine.

Thanks, what you say about the block makes sense and I'd be interested to know, because nobody has mentioned it and the service manual is silent on it too. At the end of the day it must entail removal of more hoses I guess.

No worries about freezing, it hasn't gone below zero degrees C in Perth since records began, and certainly not in Madam Maserati's double brick insulated garage.

 

[tappets]

It's very important to mix the correct anti freeze at the recommended 50% as these things can suffer from bad corrosion over time and being an older car now more critical than ever! I use the Nulon or Penrite green "Type A" coolant @ 50% mix. I normally change and reverse flush every 3 yrs when doing the cambelt etc as I remove the rad and flush while it's out. Best way to ensure correct mixture is to drain then flush with clean fresh water then add 50% (ie 7Lt) of coolant concentrate then add distilled water to fill topping up as required. This way means that no matter how many Lt's of water still contained in block the mixture is correct!

Cheers,
T

Thanks, what you say about the block makes sense and I'd be interested to know, because nobody has mentioned it and the service manual is silent on it too. At the end of the day it must entail removal of more hoses I guess.

No worries about freezing, it hasn't gone below zero degrees C in Perth since records began, and certainly not in Madam Maserati's double brick insulated garage.

 

[Massa in Perth]

It's very important to mix the correct anti freeze at the recommended 50% as these things can suffer from bad corrosion over time and being an older car now more critical than ever! I use the Nulon or Penrite green "Type A" coolant @ 50% mix. I normally change and reverse flush every 3 yrs when doing the cambelt etc as I remove the rad and flush while it's out. Best way to ensure correct mixture is to drain then flush with clean fresh water then add 50% (ie 7Lt) of coolant concentrate then add distilled water to fill topping up as required. This way means that no matter how many Lt's of water still contained in block the mixture is correct!

Cheers,
T

Thanks for that. Yep, I've used Penrite green, now if only we knew how to drain the block?

 

[gstroe]

Hi there, this is the link from the North America Forum for replacing the coolant on 4200 cars

http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/coupe-spyder-gs/13005-diy-coolant-flush.html

George

 

[Massa in Perth]

Hi there, this is the link from the North America Forum for replacing the coolant on 4200 cars

http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/coupe-spyder-gs/13005-diy-coolant-flush.html

George

Thanks George, totally different engine though.

 

[tappets]

I've seen block coolant drain plugs in behind the turbo's I think but haven't bothered to remove as very hard to access and look like they've never been removed (so possibly seized)!!!!!! I'd only pull them with engine out during overhaul due to this. No need to drain block if you follow my above advice and flush every 3 or so years. Reverse flush until water runs clear and your done.

T

Thanks for that. Yep, I've used Penrite green, now if only we knew how to drain the block?