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JeremyC · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject: Cooling system flush / Sealant

Planing on doing a flush and seal (Barrs Leaks / Radweld etc) (if required) at the weekend. I know there are some engines (Honda 2.7 V6 as used in Rovers) that dislike this treatment so I just thought I'd check this was a good idea.
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

1.5_iE · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

Is there a leak anywhere in the system that needs mending? I honestly dont really see an advantage to putting it in any engine, and if there is a leak somewhere its best to repair/replace the broken part properly. I wouldnt trust it to not clog up the rad/stat/heater matrix/hoses etc not to mention the water channels in the engine itself.

By all means flushing is a good idea but by adding radweld you may well undo all the benefits of it.
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1993 1.5 IE 63k Miles, Renovation Project
2007 Grande Punto 1.4 16v Sporting

eagle3 · Alfa 33 Joined: 11 Nov 2007 Posts: 402 Location: France

JeremyC · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 10:34 am Post subject:

Yes I will hang fire on the sealant to see what the coolant level does.

However there is a slight smell of coolant from the heater when it is first used so I suspect a very slight heater matrix leak.
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

gritsop · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 12:39 pm Post subject:

I also had a smell of coolant some years ago while the heater was on. By removing the facia and fiddling around I felt quite some coolant on the bottom of the heater box.

Here is the heater matrix once removed ... not a slight leak Laughing

I think that cooling system sealant is a temp fix and not always with the best results. I would recommend fixing the leak.

Regards
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Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

JeremyC · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 2:43 pm Post subject:

Flushed with success!

Car is now running on or just below the midpoint 80C and the heater is noticeably warmer.

Also changed the cap and rotor but chickened out of the leads as it's raining and I've got to get the adapters onto the plugs.

A good morning's work.
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

JeremyC · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 2:51 pm Post subject:

By the way, is there a cooling system bleed point anywhere?
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

gritsop · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 4:23 pm Post subject:

Hi,

No there is no bleeding point on the cooling system.

Regards,
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Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

JeremyC · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 4:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks, I guess I'll just have to drive it hard and work those bubbles through to the header tank.
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'93 Black 33 1.7 16v

Oggie · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 4:09 pm Post subject:

To get the air out of your system let the engine warm up with the the header tank lid off, and just top up accordingly, and to help bubbles through squeeze the large lower rad hose repeatedly whilst the engine is warming and you should see the bubbles arrive at the header tank!.
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PHAT 33

Greek · Alfasud Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 33

i dont think that there is a problem with air in the cooling system of boxer engines because as soon as you run engine it will circulate the waterand remove the air itself. It is not a close system as in other cars that you cant open the water cap with hot engine.

Oggie · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject:

Greek, i think you misunderstood my reply, running the engine from cold with the cap off the header tank is safe to do , its only removing the cap when engine is hot that is risky to do. Also with the header tank being situated higher than the engine the air bubbles should rise to it by squeezing the bottom rad hose just give any small trapped air a push out the system.
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PHAT 33

Greek · Alfasud Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 33

Ni it is not the case yoy say. I can stil open the radiator cap even when the engine is hot which is something that i have done multiple times. The thing is that since boxer engines have a separate tank for water which also has a small hole just beneath the cap for expanded fumes you can open it . That doesnt mean that you shouldnt be carefull.

it is not like other system that you have to add water directly to fritz or in a close system that air is trapped.
In boxers instead of removing a hose and with the engine running by adding water so that the sytem gets full and with no air, you just add water on the tank , let it circulate a while , you open the cap, add some more etc. All the air will come to the tank and escape fromthe hole underneat the cap.