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fredastaire

Member Since: 03 Dec 2012
Location: Holbrook
Posts: 721

2010 Freelander 2 TD4 GS Auto Santorini Black

Coolant antifreeze refill from empty

I am fitting a replacement 2.2 engine in my 2010 GS. The eBay CD works manual specifies vacuum filling which I don't have.
Can anybody tell me please the tricks for filling any empty system? Will I have problems with air locks? 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

31st Dec 2012 11:12 pm

fisha

Member Since: 28 Aug 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 299

Dont have experience of the 2.2 as its only a few months old to me. But had a 4.4 V8 RR previously, which was quite fickle to fill from empty.

I dont understand the vacuum bit ... mainly because you would expect any design of engine to expel air in the system under normal conditions. ( and if it doesn't , its a stupid design ... mind you it is a land rover )

Anyhoos.... From the V8, the key was to fill it slow via the header tank.

The header tank would fill up and run through to the system fairly quickly, then it would change to draining down slowly. Its easy to assume that at that point its filled ... its far from it. You had to wait for the header tank to drain down slowly and keep at it for a fair amount of time.

Once that stopped, it was a case of running the engine at idle. You would see the coolant flow through the header tank gently. Then as it warmed up, the thermostat would open, and flow coolant through the rad ... this made the header tank level drop quickly ... and you could top it up to keep the levels up.

engine off, let it cool, check levels again.

There was a bit more to it than that, but the above was the principle. I'd need to go and look at the engine bay for the 2.2 to comment any further. I.e. slow and steady is the game.

2nd Jan 2013 12:19 am

Mona Geeza

Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Devon
Posts: 1293

2010 Freelander 2 TD4_e XS Manual Stornoway Grey

fisha wrote:

I dont understand the vacuum bit ... mainly because you would expect any design of engine to expel air in the system under normal conditions. ( and if it doesn't , its a stupid design ... mind you it is a land rover )

The main problem these days is due to the design of the bodywork. To get a streamline efficient shape the radiator/filling point for the cooling system being at the front is lower than the heater circuit which ends up higher and thus can cause airlocks if filled quickly.
The factory use a vacuum fill system to remove all the air before filling.
The way to do it without is to make the ignition is on, engine not running, make sure the heating system is turned on to full temperature, blower on low, then slowly and carefully fill the system.
Some cars have several bleed points in hoses etc around the engine to assist in getting the air out as you fill, find and locate any before you start.
When it appears full, start the engine and check you have heat coming from the heater when its at running temperature, if theres cold spots still gently open any bleed valves to expel any remaining air, then go for a run around the block (in the car) as this might help force any stubborn airlocks around the system.
Then recheck the coolant level is still ok.

2nd Jan 2013 3:19 pm

Andy131

Member Since: 10 Dec 2009
Location: Manchester
Posts: 2161

Just a thought
Why not put the front wheels up on ramps, then the radiator is the highest point, rather than the heater matrix. Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

2nd Jan 2013 6:52 pm

Mona Geeza

Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Devon
Posts: 1293

Good idea, but then you might not be able to reach the radiator and give yourself wind lock

2nd Jan 2013 7:01 pm

chrisg.007

Member Since: 20 Dec 2012
Location: Manchester
Posts: 45

Hi, there should be a drain point on the lower section of the radiator. I've not done this but I just wanted to say only refill with the red/orange anti freeze. NOT the blue type as this will cause damage to the seals.
chris

2nd Jan 2013 9:36 pm

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