General coolant level how to check

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General coolant level how to check

gazman37

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can any one tell me how too check the coolant level on my brava 1.2 v plate .sound like runnin water when in start the car . does it need topping up ?
 
It needs the air inside the system removing. Have you a leak? Has the coolant level dropped or have you have any work done on the coolant system or have you carried out a coolant renewal?
 
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thx 4 that ,bit how do i check the coolant where is it ?how do i let the air out ? hellp
 
thx 4 that ,bit how do i check the coolant where is it ?how do i let the air out ? hellp

The coolant is on the left handside as soon as you open the bonnet. It usually has a blue cap on it with a warning sticker on it.

To let the air out, i'd sooner drop the whole coolant and start again.

The coolant renewal is pretty straight forward.

Make sure the air is not on recirculate. Undo the coolant expansion tank cap, make sure the engine is not hot otherwise hot steam will spray out of the expansion tank. Open all the bleed screws some on the radiator itself, some on the pipes radiator pipes going to the bulk head. Get access to the lower pipe on the radiator then i'd undo the pipe carefully and then get a bucket and pull the hose off completely and let the coolant run into the bucket.

You could flush it out or not your choice, then to refill, reattach the lower hose securely. Refit engine splash guard. Then starting at the lowest point bleed screws start to refill the coolant, squeeze the lower and upper radiator hoses to help expel trapped air, once coolant starts to bubble out, close the bleed screw. Then Do the next for the same and so. Until all bleed screws are securely tightened.

Continue to Fill to MAX. Then refit the expansion cap loosely. Start the engine and run it at idle. Since your car has air con get a friend to help and get them to raise the revs to 3000rpms every 30secs while the engine is warming up. When this is done carefull open the bleed screw on the heater hose, bearing in mind the dangers of hot coolant and bleed out any trapped air.

Add more coolant so its at MAX, but only for the first few mins after the engine has started otherwise the coolant will get hot.

Once the coolant level has stabilised you can now tighten the expansion tank cap securely.

Let the engine warm up until normal operating temp, let it run for a few mins then switch it off and allow to cool.

Check for leaks around the hoses and items you've messed with and check the coolant level, top up if necessary. Remember to check coolant only when its cold for an accurate measure.
 
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