Hi everyone

In topping up my radiator coolant with antifreeze/water this afternoon I have accidently filled it right to the top of the tank (to the cap), I am wondering now what effect that will have. Do I need to let some of it drain out...if so how?? (if this is needed where are the bleed valves located on mk1 punto?)
Otherwise will there be any problems driving it (need to go out in 3 hours on a long drive!)


Many thanks

yes you need to let some out.thats why its called the expansion tank.
either syphon some out or just loosen the hose on the bottom of the expansion tank and drain it out.
not the hot/cold fill marks on the side

without room to expand then you will get high pressure in the system and the cooland with find a way to escape
best case past the cap,worst blowing out past seals

Thanks, I figured I would need to let some out, the hose at the bottom of the tank, what exactly am I looking for? Would it be easier/effective enough to just relase the bleed caps?

(i'm a clueless lady!!)

suck the excess out with an old turkey baster (then dump the baster)

Don`t leave it as it could spray out all over the place as it expands when heating up and it can damage the paint work.

regards

littlemiss said:

/effective enough to just release the bleed caps?

Click to expand...

Yes, take the coolant expansion tank cap off though first and be sure engine is cold.
Safer to suck it out or loosen a hose clip though in case the bleed screw has problems (IMHO)

The engine is cold so thats fine, in loosening a hose clip, I can see two hose pipes one near the top and the other at the bottom of the tank - black pipes with silver/metal round them...is it that which I am unclipping? I cannot seem to locate the bleed vavles either, where abouts should I be looking?

A turkey baster...excellent idea but i dont have one!

So sorry for the step by step approach....it will teach me to be more careful next time!!

it doesnt have to by high tech.a piece of hose,tube etc
just dunk it in the coolant and hold your thumb over the other end.
lift it out and dump the coolant thats inside the hose/tube

Agree with Custard, that`s easiest way and what`s not disturbed can`t go wrong re hose clips and bleed valves.

Yeah.. leave the clips alone. Roll up a small hand towel and dangle it in the header tank. It'll soak up a load of coolant. Wring it out... repeat as necessary.

Don't be tempted to use any paper (fall to bits) or "sanitary products" (they expand 100 times their normal size so you'll never get them out again).


Ralf S.

Man, just suck it out....

undo the bleed screw on top of the rad, it will let it out

Erm I took the first option!

Worked quite well, still ended up with lots of steam and splashing up the windowscreen.

That will teach me!

Thanks everyone

if you took a hose off it will need bleeding again