Coolant drain
To drain the coolant, you need to disconnect the lower radiator hose. On models with 1.1 / 1.3 l engines, the lower hose is disconnected from the lower branch pipe of the main pipe at the engine. On models with a 1.5 / 1.6 / 1.8 l engine, disconnect the hose from the lower pipe of the cooling pump. The heater tap must be open.
Before disconnecting the hose, make sure that the system is not under pressure. Remove the radiator cap (or expansion tank cap) and depressurize the system. If the engine is hot, take precautions to avoid scalding yourself.
If you leave your car without coolant, attach a note to it so that someone doesn't accidentally start the engine.
Filling the system
Never use clean water in the cooling system, this will lead to intense corrosion of parts. Use an all-season antifreeze with corrosion inhibitors to prevent corrosion and scaling (see chapter "Vehicle maintenance work"). In summer, you can use water with the addition of a corrosion inhibitor.
Connect the lower radiator hose. Check the integrity of the remaining hose connections, especially if they have been disconnected. Prepare a solution of antifreeze or corrosion inhibitor in distilled water according to the manufacturer's instructions and add coolant to the system. Fill fluid slowly to avoid air pockets. Run the engine for a few minutes without closing the radiator cap to release any remaining air in the system.
Check the coolant level in the radiator filler neck or in the expansion tank and add coolant to the mark "MAX".
After a few minutes of engine operation, the fluid level may drop due to the removal of air from the system. Add liquid up to the mark "MAX".
Flushing the cooling system
If the engine overheats frequently for no apparent reason, internal clogging of the cooling system with deposits of scale, rust and dirt can be assumed. In this case, the cooling system must be flushed.
It is recommended to treat the cooling system with a special agent first (solvent) for flushing radiators - even if the system is not completely cleaned, the solvent will soften internal deposits and facilitate further flushing.
If solvent does not completely clean the system, flush it with a high-pressure water jet. It is best to direct the flow of water during flushing in the opposite direction in relation to the flow of liquid during normal operation of the engine.
To flush the entire system in reverse, disconnect the hose from the rear of the cylinder head and insert a hose into the nozzle, through which high-pressure water enters the engine cooling jacket.
In case of severe clogging of the system, its elements (radiator, heater, engine jacket) can be washed separately. The radiator for flushing must be removed from the car, install the radiator cap and turn it upside down, and then flush under pressure by inserting the hose into the lower pipe.
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