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General Information => General => Topic started by: rallydiesel on January 27, 2008, 07:58:23 pm

Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: rallydiesel on January 27, 2008, 07:58:23 pm: Anybody have a clean way of draining the coolant from a 1.6? I have been pulling the lower rad hose off but coolant gets all over the place. I'd like to be able to save and reuse it since I just put all new in recently.
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: burn_your_money on January 27, 2008, 08:37:57 pm: One of these days I'm going to make a quick connect adapter for this stupid design
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: jimfoo on January 27, 2008, 09:09:13 pm: I barely pulled the hose off the thermostat, with a big a** funnel underneath. I don't want to spill any of my $35/gal antifreeze!
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: jtanguay on January 28, 2008, 04:45:21 am: i've considered installing a valve down there... but then again you need to drop the thermostat to drain the coolant from the engine so either way you're going to get spillage.

isn't there some kind of frost plug on the water pump though? maybe just tap that and install a valve. would make draining so much easier!

(http://image.autopartsonlinecanada.com/live/G3000170730GRA.JPG)

its shown right in the rear. that one plug right near the pulley shaft. i'm sure there's something in the way but just throwing this idea out there. who knows maybe someone out there is crazy enough to drill & tap the water pump to install a drain line with a valve? :lol:
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: jasonsansfleece on January 28, 2008, 06:41:24 pm: Would Fatmobile post his picture? I am ready to install a plug!
If drainage is part of an engine removal I disconect the hoses at the fire wall for a minimal spillage then pull the motor with the rad connected. Then with all that access you can conduct a controlled drainage!
Fatmobile, I'm intrigued
Guy
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: fatmobile on January 29, 2008, 12:26:17 am: Easier to just post a link to pics and warnings:
http://www.vwdieselparts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7111&highlight=draining+coolant
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: burn_your_money on January 29, 2008, 04:57:26 am: Cool thanks
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: BlackTieTD on January 30, 2008, 04:05:17 pm: just be careful if you tap the waterpump not to over-tighten the plug. he described a plug that gets wider as you tighten it, and that it creates a good seal. thats true but if you over-tighten -- it will want to split the waterpump housing. keep in mind that it is aluminum when you're tightening.
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: RabbitJockey on January 30, 2008, 04:14:16 pm: i pull a little hose off and then pull the big hose off... its not that messy?
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: BlackTieTD on January 30, 2008, 05:28:44 pm: heh heh i agree :?: :lol:
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: upchuck on January 30, 2008, 09:45:36 pm: agreed x3... in terms of collecting the coolant i use wide shallow tupperware/rubbermaid style bin, and last time i ran it thru coffee filters before reuse 8)
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: burn_your_money on January 30, 2008, 09:47:15 pm: Mine always runs across the front cross member, through the PS lines, down the pan etc etc There is no way to catch it all
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: RabbitJockey on January 31, 2008, 06:28:55 pm: oh haha well on mk1s its easy. i wish there was a cleaner way to change oil though, when ever i take the filter off it goes all over the place
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: jtanguay on January 31, 2008, 07:22:41 pm: Quote from: "Trev0rbr"
oh haha well on mk1s its easy. i wish there was a cleaner way to change oil though, when ever i take the filter off it goes all over the place

i have an oil filter relocation kit just for that :) it's mainly because the oil filter is on an angle that it spills all over. i have put a bag under & used the oil filter wrench with some success.
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: BlackTieTD on February 01, 2008, 07:12:30 am: why not put the pan under where it leaks? (oil filter)

i agree mkIs are easier to work on, i often forget about the hassles of later generations when i put posts on here. is it all that hard to pop of a lower rad hose with a shallow pan underneith even on a mkII? sure you spill a few drops. its a VOLKSWAGEN your driveway shouldn't be spotless. :lol:
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: burn_your_money on February 01, 2008, 02:41:43 pm: If you have big bumpers you can't even get under the car without lifting it, and usually the stupid PS is in the way, and the other end of the hose on the rad end is right above the crossmembers
Title: Clean way to drain coolant?
Post by: BlackTieTD on February 03, 2008, 12:09:51 pm: you know the problem there tyler... big bumpers and power steering.... not the coolant :lol: