Author Topic: proper way to refill coolant on 85 1.6l? (Read 4134 times)

sethyboy85 · « **on:** October 08, 2005, 10:27:30 am »

what is the proper way (or whatever works) to refill my radiator on my 85 1.6l D jetta?

on my 84 all I did was fill it from the fill tank and that was all but my 85 that method is not working (with engine running)

Maarten · « **Reply #1 on:** October 08, 2005, 12:20:37 pm »

Put the car level, leave the cap open and fill it. let it run for 10 minutes with the heater at HOT (don't need to switch on the blower) put the cap on and drive a few km's (keep an eye on the temp gauge!)

Shut it off, take a towel and unscrew the cap a bit so air can escape, be careful not to unscrew it too much because the hot water can escape!!! let it bubble for a few minutes and start the engine again and hit the gas a few times.. it should bubble some more. Shut it off and let it cool down, unscrew the cap and fill it to max.

Check the level after 10-15kms again.

sethyboy85 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 08, 2005, 12:23:38 pm »

thanks, thats what I thought but wasn't sure.

now whenever this rain stops (central PA) i can go out and make sure to top it off

Maarten · « **Reply #3 on:** October 08, 2005, 12:29:53 pm »

I'm waiting till the engine is cooled down.. I pulled the thermostat (is that the right word for the thing?) to check it because I thought it was stuck open (temp went down on the highway).. but now my fan doesn't come on and the temp rises over max while evey hose gets hot

I think it is stuck shut now

Maarten · « **Reply #4 on:** October 08, 2005, 01:45:14 pm »

Doh.. I didn't do the last step, I opened the cap and I could add another 1,5 liters :oops:

chrissev · « **Reply #5 on:** October 09, 2005, 09:02:48 am »

if you are refilling the entire cooling system take the top hose off the radiator, and pour the coolant into the hose until it spills out then reconnect the hose. If you do it any other way you can get an air bubble which will block coolant flow