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Vauxhall Vectra coolant and radiator flush.

Hello,

I have a question about Vectra coolant and radiator flushing.

Is this service necessary? A mechanic friend of mine says its not, but according to the Haynes manual it should be done every two years regardless of mileage.

Would it ok to try for a novice mechanic, I change the oil and do general maintenance myself, but this looked a little tricky on the Haynes manual.

Also, could anybody email me or post on this newsgroup how to flush the radiator (i.e what pipes to disconnect, how to refill, etc).

The problem I'm having is around town the temperature gauge gets midway and the fan kicks in all the time and quickly. I've had the car two years and it never got this warm constantly before. If you all think this is normal then I might just leave it.

Car is a Vectra '98 S plate 2.0L EcoTec with air conditioning (I was told this matters with the radiator and coolant?).

Thanks all,

Mike

Email: mike snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.co.uk

Reply to
Mike Smith
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Dead easy.There may be a tap near the bottom of the radiator, if so, drain it via that, if not, just remove the bottom hose from the radiator, and have a big bucket ready. You can then stick an hosepipe in the top of the radiator, and run it for a few minutes, or refill the system with water and a 'flushing' fluid, run the engine for a while, then drain it all off again, and refill with coolant. Wether you need to flush it is a different matter. Is the coolant in there now, discoloured, with a brown tinge? Or is it the usual blue anti-freeze coloured liquid? If blue and clear, there is no real need to flush it through, as the cooling system will be quite clear.

Temp guage at around half, and the fan cuts in? That sounds like the fan is turning on too early if anything.Though on my car one of the fans does come on with the guage at half, so it could well be right. Maybe the thermostat is leaking(is there one in that engine?).If the guage doesnt get into the red, then I dont think you have anything to worry about.

1 fan normally does come on once Air-con is started.Has it got 2 fans? HTH Alan.
Reply to
A Lee

Can't see why you'd need to flush it. Temp guage midway in summer during town driving isn't really a problem.

Reply to
Conor

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