How much coolant?

[Cock Womble 7]

Quick question (to save me from a million Google results, all giving different answers):

My funky new silicon coolant hoses have arrived and I'm planning on fitting them this weekend.

How many litres of coolant should I have ready to refill the system (1.8 K)?

Thanks.

[elan_fan]

a bit over 5 litres and I would advise getting one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caterham-Westfield-kit-c...

I flushed the coldstream that was in it (not available now )and used xtream red 50/50 ready mixed though that is not the most cost effective way to buy it.

give blatchat a read and get the front nice and high when you re fill

[Cock Womble 7]

elan_fan said:

one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caterham-Westfield-kit-c...

Excuse the ignorance, but how does that work then?

[allen l]

The bleed tee can be put between the hose from the heater to the water rail. I had one of those fitted myself, but I doubt if I would fit another one when the new engine arrives. It feels a bit crappy.

[cambuscat]

But it works and saves a lot of hassle.

David

[dirtbiker]

It would be a pretty straightforward thing to knock up for any small engineering workshop from aluminium if you wanted something of better quality. You could even use a Schrader valve which would eliminate the need for all but the most basic of lathe tools.

In fact, thinking about it you could do it with just a section aluminium tube with the correct OD, a drill bit and a self seating Schrader valve. I'll have more of a think about this and a look into it when I actually get a Caterham of my own!

[Cock Womble 7]

cambuscat said:

But it works and saves a lot of hassle.

Yes, but how?

[dirtbiker]

It gives you a high point in the system with a simple-to-open valve through which you can let any air in the coolant system escape. Will make bleeding much easier.

[Cock Womble 7]

dirtbiker said:

It gives you a high point in the system with a simple-to-open valve through which you can let any air in the coolant system escape. Will make bleeding much easier.

Ah, thank you.

[Cock Womble 7]

Oh, how terribly remiss of me - I neglected to proffer a visual representation of the aforementioned shiny hoses:

[johnvthe2nd]

that J shaped one is a bugger ... mine's still in the box at the moment, though I'd leave it to be a winter task.

Not that you have that luxury ..

[Cock Womble 7]

johnvthe2nd said:

that J shaped one is a bugger

In what way?

[elan_fan]

Hope you've got nice shiny stainless hose clamps aswell.

[johnvthe2nd]

it's the one that goes into the thermostat, right under the inlet manifold, looks very hard to get to. I'm toying with the idea of a QED remote thermostat, so I'm able to postpone it until I make up my mind on that!

[Cock Womble 7]

elan_fan said:

Hope you've got nice shiny stainless hose clamps aswell.

Nah, I'm just going to use the old ones.






Joking.

[Dave J]

warm them in the microwave in a bowl with a dash of water before fitment ....
seasoning optional !

[Cock Womble 7]

Dave J said:

warm them in the microwave in a bowl with a dash of water before fitment ...

What, the clamps?

[Cock Womble 7]

All done:



Not too bad a job (although the J-shaped one was a bugger.)

[dirtbiker]

Looking good - got any more wider-angle shots of the engine bay?

[elan_fan]

have you got the coolant all back in?

Whats next?