Draining the radiator

Newbie Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 7

Hi all, could someone lead me through draining the raidator of a renault 19. I have done a search on this and there are some good topics on this but I really need someone to tell me what hoses to unclip. I do not have any heating and think that it needs a good clean out, especially the matrix. I am particularly interested in how you clean this. What hoses and where are they situated. Do I just use a garden hose to flush it out?

What about filling it back up. Can I leave it level on the ground and use the bleed screw?

If there are any photos I would be much appreciated.

Roddy (in Glasgow)

Spammer Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 5717

what car is it ?
just undo the top and bottom rad hoses take them out and run a hose pipe from top to bottom bottom to top .

than open the water tank and put the hosepipe in there until clear water comes out from the other end

the matrix is on right hand side looking from the front of the car by the bulk head ,you will see 2 parallel pipes going into it take the jubilee clips out again and run water from eithr one of them till it comes clear from the other .

put all th pipes back and fill the system with antifreeze water mix

you might be better of changing the matrix with a new one though if its been there for over 6-7 years

Newbie Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 7

Thanks for that, it is a Renault 19 Bebop. Bought from brand new (M reg) and the coolant has never been changed Crying or Very sad

. No wonder there is a problem. I am on to a new car and have given this car to my son but would really like to get the heating problem sorted due to this weather. Personally I suffered no heating for 3 years and it was a nightmare. When everyone was scraping the outside of the windscreen I was scraping the inside. Very Happy

Oh happy days.

I had heard that changing the matrix was a big job which required taking off the dashboard. This has always put me off doing something about it.

Roddy

Spammer Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 5717

you dont need to take the dashboard out you just undo the nuts and pull it out a bit ,the gear lever surround comes off ,after that from the battery compartment you have to undo the bolts to the heater het it out and you wil see the heater matrix holder push it down after undoing the bolt again minding the 2 pipes sticking out the bulkhead(push them as well accordingly)

from the inside of the car once the dash nuts are undone pull it towards you from both sides ,you will get the matrix holder thingy out from the pasenger side after a lot of tilting .

once its out get the old matrix out of the holder and stick a 30 quid new one in from GSF www.gsfcarparts.com

the difference is unbeliveably good Wink

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

schakal not everyone is gypo like you, and it you don't want to break stuff when changing the matrix pull the dash out.

A bebop I am assuming is the 1.4 energy.

If the coolants never been changed then you have a nice long journey ahead of you, I'm surprised the pipe behind the manifold hasn't burst yet.

Anyway, to drain the coolant undo the lower rad hose its on the passenger side down at the bottom. take the cap off to help it drain.

Look at the coolant bottle and there 2 hoses on the bottom, the back one goes to the heater matrix, so pop that off and with the bottom hose still dissconnected pump water through it, it will run brown.

Squeeze the hoses and it will crunch more than likely and run brown.

The radiator itself, pull the thing out its very easy and flush it through.

Get a new thermostat as well.

If you need a hand let me know as I am in Glasgow as well.

Newbie Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 7

Thanks for the replies guys. My son is away for the weekend with the car so will look at it on Monday. How long do you think it will take to flush out the radiator? I do not want to start it about 5pm when he gets home and find out It takes long than expected and he doesnt have a car in the morning for work.

Chris thanks for the offer, I may take you up on that If I attempt the matrix. I would probably only need some one to explain it to me and show me how to get the dashboard off. I suppose Â£42 for the matrix is not bad if he gets the use of the car with heat as he is moaning he is freezing in the morning.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

well to do it throroughly a long time, just to flush it through a ferw times an hour or so.

The heater may start working after a flush.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

where abouts are you anyway mate?

Site Subscriber Joined: 05 Jan 2005 Posts: 589

Im the only Roddy in the village ...... Laughing

Newbie Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 7

>where abouts are you anyway mate?

Westerton in Bearsden

>Im the only Roddy in the village ......

Bet I was a Roddy before You were Wink

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

Bearsden eh, oh fancy! Laughing

Your not to far from me mate, I'm just through the tunnel, abotu a mile from Braehead.

As for who was here first, dunno roddy is pretty old as well! So 2 old farts called roddy! Razz

Newbie Joined: 16 Nov 2005 Posts: 7

Look at my teeth, those come with seniorority Laughing