So I'm in the process of getting my act together for a Strata Florida laning trip next weekend. Regular readers will have seen the fitment of a OME steering damper and 285 BFG KM2s last week together with a fresh MOT. I also wanted to flush the coolant because the expansion tank looked to be plain water and i had what sounded like a alternator bearing on its way out.
The Haynes manual says there is an engine block drain plug on the RHS and one on the radiator but I couldn't see either so I applied the old fashioned approach of pulling the top and bottom radiator hoses and removing the thermostat.
Coolant drained and rad flushed - but as its a year old i wasn't expecting any issues with that. The thermostat is located behind the alternator in the block and is fed by the bottom hose. With the alternator out of the way you can get to the three bolts holding it on. A good flush through with a garden hose and we are ready to put it back together.
However, the stat has a rubber gasket that seems far too big as doesn't fit back in. So i will source two new ones before i refit and fill with fresh coolant. FYI I am using Comma X30 red coolant mixed with distilled water at 1:1.
In the meantime (its Sunday) i will spend a couple of hours descaling the axles with a wire brush on an angle grinder and brush on a base coat of satin Hammerite as its a warm day.
The alternator covers one of the thermostat bolts so the lc is off the road for a couple of days.
Stay tuned.
Paul.
The Haynes manual says there is an engine block drain plug on the RHS and one on the radiator but I couldn't see either so I applied the old fashioned approach of pulling the top and bottom radiator hoses and removing the thermostat.
Coolant drained and rad flushed - but as its a year old i wasn't expecting any issues with that. The thermostat is located behind the alternator in the block and is fed by the bottom hose. With the alternator out of the way you can get to the three bolts holding it on. A good flush through with a garden hose and we are ready to put it back together.
However, the stat has a rubber gasket that seems far too big as doesn't fit back in. So i will source two new ones before i refit and fill with fresh coolant. FYI I am using Comma X30 red coolant mixed with distilled water at 1:1.
In the meantime (its Sunday) i will spend a couple of hours descaling the axles with a wire brush on an angle grinder and brush on a base coat of satin Hammerite as its a warm day.
The alternator covers one of the thermostat bolts so the lc is off the road for a couple of days.
Stay tuned.
Paul.
Last edited:
