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[V6 CDX-er]

Sorry for the stupid question chaps....

Water pump changed when I did my cambelt, hence my coolant system is completely empty. I now need to re-fill it.

The Haynes Manual states that I have to "Dissconnect the heater supply upper hose (heater matrix?) from the bulkhead connection" then "Pour coolant into the dissconnected heater hose with the aid of a funnel, untill no more coolant will flow in, then re-connect the heater hose to the bulkhead before filling from the expansion tank".

Is this necessary? I thought that the Omega had a self bleeding system, so filling direct to the expansion tank would be fine?

If I do need to fill the "heater supply" first, then I assume that this is the heater matrix? If so, how easy is it to get to this "upper hose", and can it be reached without removing everything that I have already fitted (plenum, intake trumpets, wiring looms, etc,)?


In advance, many thanks 

[RobG]

I`ve always re-filled straight into header tank then "burp" the system if necessary

[Abiton]

The matrix won't have emptied itself, I don't think. Pretty sure it's uphill from the matrix to the bulkhead hose connections, so it won't have run out from there.

[V6 CDX-er]

Thanks fellas 

So it seems that just filling from the expansion tank is all that is needed then, (and the burping afterwards)?

[RobG]

Thanks fellas 

So it seems that just filling from the expansion tank is all that is needed then, (and the burping afterwards)?

Yep........may need a run out to get heater to perform to it`s max

[kcl]

and pour in first adequate amount of raw antifreeze and the fill the rest with water. This will ensure at least 50% of antifreeze in the mixture

[V6 CDX-er]

and pour in first adequate amount of raw antifreeze and the fill the rest with water. This will ensure at least 50% of antifreeze in the mixture

May I ask why do it that way?

I usually mix up in an old Coca Cola bottle a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze & water, so that it is being poured into the car ready mixed.

[kcl]

You will always have some old fluid in system (or pure water if flushed). That will weaken the ready-mixed 50/50 mixture. So, just to be sure and admitting the fact that the system is not 100% empty you should first pour in the antifreeze 

[Andy B]

and pour in first adequate amount of raw antifreeze and the fill the rest with water. This will ensure at least 50% of antifreeze in the mixture

May I ask why do it that way?

I usually mix up in an old Coca Cola bottle a 50/50 mix of anti-freeze & water, so that it is being poured into the car ready mixed.

because you then know that all the required anti-freeze has been put in. At the moment you have no ida how much coolant/water you have in your engine.

[Kevin Wood]

Yep. Haynes manual is talking rubbish, which is not unusual for the Omega manual.

Pour in 5L of neat antifreeze to the header tank, as said. If it's reluctant to flow into the system from the tank, "massage" the top radiator hose by squeezing it and this will burp air out of the system. Once the antifreeze is in, start adding water instead. Get as much water in the system as you can using this method.

When it stops taking water from the expansion tank, turn on the heater and start the engine with the filler cap removed. Continue filling as the level drops, and continue massaging the top hose. When it won't take any more water put the lid back onto the header tank and take it for a short drive to warm the engine up. Check level once the engine has cooled and top up if required. Check daily for the next couple of days in case the level drops further.

Kevin

[V6 CDX-er]

Thanks all 

Your collective advice, as always, is invaluble 

[dbug]

Yep. Haynes manual is talking rubbish, which is not unusual for the Omega manual.

Pour in 5L of neat antifreeze to the header tank, as said. If it's reluctant to flow into the system from the tank, "massage" the top radiator hose by squeezing it and this will burp air out of the system. Once the antifreeze is in, start adding water instead. Get as much water in the system as you can using this method.

When it stops taking water from the expansion tank, turn on the heater and start the engine with the filler cap removed. Continue filling as the level drops, and continue massaging the top hose. When it won't take any more water put the lid back onto the header tank and take it for a short drive to warm the engine up. Check level once the engine has cooled and top up if required. Check daily for the next couple of days in case the level drops further.

Kevin

Important to set heater to max to minimise air locks in matrix 

[tunnie]

how old is the coolant? I personally would be tempted to flush the whole coolant system (with heaters on full) with clear water, then run 50/50 mix through as per my maint guide. It does waste a little coolant, but it ensures you have a good 50/50 mix around the entire system.

Keep that oil cooler and head gasket happy 

[Kevin Wood]

how old is the coolant? I personally would be tempted to flush the whole coolant system (with heaters on full) with clear water, then run 50/50 mix through as per my maint guide. It does waste a little coolant, but it ensures you have a good 50/50 mix around the entire system.

Keep that oil cooler and head gasket happy 

If you flush with water until it's clear then add 5 litres neat when filling you know the concentration will be right without wasting any.

Kevin

[V6 CDX-er]

how old is the coolant? I personally would be tempted to flush the whole coolant system (with heaters on full) with clear water, then run 50/50 mix through as per my maint guide. It does waste a little coolant, but it ensures you have a good 50/50 mix around the entire system.

Keep that oil cooler and head gasket happy 

If you flush with water until it's clear then add 5 litres neat when filling you know the concentration will be right without wasting any.

Kevin

May well do that TBH Tunnie.

There is no doubt in my mind that this car has been seriously neglected by it's previous, (2nd) owner.