changing coolant in a 1.2

[ade]

Hi guys,

My 1.2 mk2 coolant prob needs changing - I usually get it garage serviced once a year (inc change coolant) and to interim service meself every 6 months or so.

What I wanna know is how easy is it to change coolant yerself?

Read Haynes which goes into testing kits to see how strong coolant is etc than waffles on a bit but on Mikes prev post about engine overheating someone mentioned 1.4 engine holds 6 ltrs of coolant/water - so put 5ltrs of coolant in then 1 ltr of water? Is this the same for a 1.2 and is that mixture right? If not what ratio should it be?

Also read that coolant strengths should be different in summer compared to winter? Is this true and how often should it be changed?

Everything else (plugs, oil filters etc) usually get changed, cleaned up every 6 months or so...coolant is only once a year at the mo.

Any advice cool coz I'm skint to feck and would like to do it myself for a change rather than paying a garage ?50!

Ade

[mix n match]

Just drain it through the bottom radiator hose then if you want to flush it stick a hose pipe in the bottom hose with some rag and turn it on till the water coming out the radiator runs clear. then re-connect this hose and loosen the coolent temp sensor and re fill the system through the tank till it comes out through the temp sensor hole, now tighten the temp sensor and fill the tank to where it says KALT. squeeze and releast the big hoses a bit to encourace the remaining air into the tank.

think thats it but the haynes guide is good

this is how i did it on mine and all is well but dont forget to turn the heater to full so that the heater matrix gets flushed/re-filled too. :D

think i may have missed a bleed point , someone help :lol:

[Dicko]

the mixture aint too serious. but as its coming upto winter make sure its at least 50% coolant. so thats 2 and 1/2 litres for a full change