Technical Coolant change?

[69intheshade]

I have a 2013 Knaus Sky TI motorhome based on a Ducato 2.3lt 130 multijet on which I wish to change the radiator coolant, I've even bought five litres of the proper Paraflu PU in readiness, along with five litres of demineralised water.

I'm now wishing I'd never started into this as I cannot get the Knaus designed front radiator grill off, and I cannot seem to identify the bottom radiator hose amongst all the other pipes! I even removed the bottom intercooler pipe before realising there was no water! I'm sure there are three radiators of varying sizes up there behind the massive full frontal grill? I've emailed Knaus asking for advice on removing the front grill but have received no response yet.

Can anyone please advise me as I'd love to be able to do the job myself, possibly help me identify the bottom radiator hose?
Thank you in advance

 

[rayc]

 

[rolandbrindley]

You do not need to remove the grill to drain the coolant. The radiator has a top pipe and a bottom pipe, usually at the left and right hand tank sides respectively, as you look down on the engine from the front. So you should lay underneath and look for a hose clamp to the nearside if it's RHD, to the offside if LHD. Beware some Fiat hose clamps are the 'wind-up' variety requiring a short flat screwdriver to unwind them, remove it and wiggle off the hose, allowing the water to gush out all over you! Remove the expansion tank cap and allow it all to drain completely. There will be a cylinder block drain cap somewhere but I'm not familiar with your engine, and such caps are often in places impossible to reach easily or even at all, so forget that, you will only get a pint or so more out by draining the block. I blow mine through with the air line using a a special cap I made for testing cooling system pressure which has an air line connect. Refit the hose using a decent stainless steel worm drive hose clip and refill with your new refrigerant. As the cylinder head is aluminium the refrigerant is also there to protect that and your head gasket so don't be stingy with the antifreeze, use it all before you top up with water.