We replace the coolant during repair work related to the depressurization of the cooling system, as well as after 195 thousand kilometers or 11 years of operation
Factory recommended coolant FL 22
If we fill in other brands of coolant, it is recommended to replace them after 90 thousand kilometers or four years of operation
It is necessary to use coolants based on ethylene glycol (antifreeze)
Change the coolant only on a cold engine
When starting the engine, the cap of the expansion tank must be closed tightly
The cooling system is under pressure when the engine is running, so coolant may leak from under a loose plug
To replace the coolant, you will need a container for the drained liquid of at least 10 liters, coolant, a clean rag
We prepare the car and set it on a flat surface
Unscrew the radiator cap
We substitute the container under the drain valve of the radiator of the cooling system, located in the supply tank
Turn off the tap and drain the liquid
Turn on the drain cock
If the expansion tank is very dirty, then remove it, rinse it, and install it in place
We flush the cooling system, for which we slowly fill the system with water, pouring it into the radiator, to the level of the steam outlet pipe, and then bring the water level in the expansion tank to the "FULL" mark
Start the engine and let it run until the electric fan is turned on
Stop the engine and drain the water
Flush the cooling system until clean water begins to drain
Unscrew the radiator cap and fill in coolant to the level of the steam outlet pipe
Adding coolant to the expansion tank.
To do this, open the cap of the expansion tank and remove the steam outlet hose from the filler opening
Add coolant to the "FULL" level
Close the plug of the expansion tank
Start the engine and warm it up to operating temperature (before turning on the fan)
After that, we stop the engine, check the coolant level and, if necessary, add it to the expansion tank to the "FULL" mark
While the engine is running, watch the coolant temperature using the gauge.
If the arrow has reached the red zone, and the radiator fan does not turn on, turn on the heater and check how much air passes through it
If the heater supplies heated air, the fan is most likely defective, and if it supplies cold air, then an air lock has formed in the engine cooling system.
To remove it, stop the engine, let it cool down and unscrew the cap of the expansion tank.
Start the engine, let it run for 3-5 minutes and tighten the reservoir cap.
To better fill the system without air pockets, periodically squeeze the radiator hoses with your hand.
After a few days of operation of the car after the replacement, I cool check the liquid level.
Top up if necessary.
If after a very short time the color of the fresh liquid turns brown, it means that you filled in a fake, in which the manufacturer "forgot" to add corrosion inhibitors
In addition, one of the signs of a fake is a sharp complete discoloration of the liquid
The dye of high-quality coolant is very resistant and only darkens over time.
The liquid, tinted with linen blue, is discolored. This "antifreeze" needs to be replaced faster.