Leaking coolant

....or more likely lost all my coolant in minutes

I was driving along to buy some EBC pads when I noticed that it was for some strange reason getting a bit foggy outside. The weather was quite clear so I couldn't understand where this 'fog' was coming from.... Apparently one of the lines going into the heater matrix had jumped off and I was gushing coolant

Luckily I was about a km from the Suzuki garage, and I managed to drive it there gingerly (well...disregarding red lights, right of way etc. while watching the temp gauge rising) to have it fixed and refilled with warm water.

Soon off to buy some coolant... Which leads me to my question: Is there any place where one can drain some of the water/coolant? Is the pipe on the bottom of the rad the only place?

I assume you mean to add coolant so you have a better mix. Pretty much any pipe you want as long as you bleed the system for airlocks after.

Yup - I need to improve the mix as I'm on 99% water now Was hoping that there was a tap or something somewhere

How do I bleed it? I've only done that once, and don't quite remember how to. Leave the engine running with the valve on the rad open?

I think the bottom hose is your best bet of loosing some water (I don't believe there is a drain valve on the b), but there is a bleed valve on the top of the rad....(which I am sure you know already!)........

Thanks, I'll try that one then. Just need to put some WD40 on it before I go and buy some coolant Think I'll be taking the Punto...

Take off whatever pipe you think necessary to loose the amount of water you need then replace pipe, fill with coolant via the header tank, turn the heater to full hot and run the engine with the header tank cap off till warm. Wait till the thermostat opens (you can feel that when all of the pipes are hot both top and bottom rad hoses normally) turn off the engine then let it cool. Top up the header tank leave the cap off and squeeze both top and bottom hoses vigerously for min to force any last bits of air out recheck the header tank is at max level put cap back on. Go for a run and make sure that there is hot air comming out of the vents (with the setting still on hot obviously ) if this is the case you should be fine. After the run re-check the header tank level and top up if necessary.

Why did the matrix pipe fall off in the first place?

Probably because I'm the one that fastened it in the first place...
Mind you, it was Easter 07 that I changed my matrix and diconnected/connected the pipes, so hopefully it's only been a little loose ever since then - and not some propblems with too high pressure

I think I'll buy the pump in the attached pic for £1.50 rather than dick about with taking off a pipe...

Any idea on how much coolant I'll be needing?

Oh and thanks for the advice on the bleeding

50/50 so whatever the system holds and half it. Don't have the manual and cant remember the capacity

6,2litres, according to the service manual. I put in a mere litre for now, but will try to get over to the garage one of these days and drain it somewhat more properly and get the mix better.