Thread: Bleeding the coolant header tank Td5

Corrosion and lowered coolant boiling point will be the main issues.

Skip the manuals method for refilling and checkout the thread I did on the coke bottle fill method.

Generally.to flush the cooling system of residual coolant/flushing agent I just disconnect a heater hoses hook up a fresh water supply and leave the engine and tje hose running until the water.runs cleanly.

If I'm doing a proper flush I remove every hose and use the flush gun on every component individually before replacing the hoses.

If you're just doing this to increase the concentration of the coolant then I'd be tempted to just raise the header tank, fill it up with neat coolant and then drain the system down a little at a time (until the tank is just about empty so as not to draw any air in) and then refill the tank - do this a few times and you'll be up to 50/50 pretty quickly.

I need to drain mine to change the lower hose this weekend and I just let it all out of the bottom and then refill as per the last part of your message, just giving a few hoses a squeeze to release any trapped air.

The coolant is in there to act as a corrosion inhibitor - the last owner of mine ran neat water for a while (probably to hide the leaking radiator!) and I've had to clean up a lot of messy hose joints.

Thanks guys.
Blknight, where are the heater hoses, and how would I disconnect one?
Apologies if this is basic, but its the first flush I've done
Cheers
Muppet

Okay so, first question.
Be this the bleed screw?


And be this the drain plug?


Cheers
Muppet

EDIT
Wow, only just realised the appalling quality of those photos.
I hope they are clear enough to pick what's what

Drain plug seems to have seized.
Sub zero temperatures and low light means it gets put off until tomorrow.
Might have to go knock on slunnies door over the weekend with a case of beer

Don't force the drain plug or the coolant pipe will crack around the hole, it's safer to unclip a hose down there, probably on the right hand side as you look down from the front.

Likewise, don't overtighten the bleed screw or you'll strip the thread on the hose insert.

Originally Posted by Marmoset

Likewise, don't overtighten the bleed screw or you'll strip the thread on the hose insert.

x2
I learnt this the hard way, as well as why people say carry a spare set of radiator hoses. Did this to mine halfway between Tenant Creek and Alice Springs.

Luckily I do carry a roll of rescue tape - held it together for a very nervous few hundred kilometres.

I can't recall if I posted the photo I took of my leaking oil cooler after it was replaced recently.

The corrosion that can (and undoubtedly will) develop after running incorrect coolant:water ratios is nasty. Mine had several holes in the spigot that exits the rear of the cooler.

I'll see if I've got the photo on my laptop and post it here.

Try here.

It's very reassuring knowing that your cooling system is working how it should...and to also have no oil leaks is pretty close to LR heaven!