Getting Coolant into the System

[David Parkes]

Right, I'm about to take the leap this weekend and try to start my shiney newly rebuilt Cologne V6 (Stage 1 modified, fully unleaded, drool, drool!!)

Why can I only get 8 pints of coolant into the system, when the Haynes manual says 16 pints? I have the expansion tank set up just like in the manual, everything is piped up beautifully.

I have not turned the engine over yet, so can I expect be able to get more coolant into it once I do and get the water pump moving? Have I got an air-lock? How do I remove it without major modifications to the system, delaying my engine start?

Obviously I'm a touch nervous as running (hopefully!) the engine without coolant is not the best thing to do really!.

Help please guys.



:} ;(

[Daz Johnston]

I just recently filled the cooling system on my Cologne 2.9i and had a similar problem. I fired the engine up to get water moving through the system, but discovered a knackered thermostat - the temp meter was reading around 90 degrees but the radiator was stone cold. After draining the system and replacing the thermostat I could still only get about a half to two-thirds of the fluid in, but this time when the engine warmed up and the thermostat opened all the trapped air came out and I was able to top the system right up. It runs fine now.

Daz

[David Parkes]

Thanks, that gives me some reassurance.