Copenistas, Ive spent the last 2 days carrying out a 50000 mile sevice on the silver bullet but had a problem with replenishing the coolant. According to the handbook the capacity of the system is 3.1 litres. I opened the drain on the radiator and waited until no more liquid came out replaced the plug and refilled with anti freeze but I could only get 1.5 litres in before system filled. My question is, why didn't 3.1 litres come out in the first place? Ned
Hi Ned, probably because the antifreeze on the inner cooling circuit is held back by the thermostat. I recommend removing the thermostat and flushing the system with water two times to get everything out, then replenish with antifreeze (1.5 litres of water in the engine + 1.5 litres coolant should make for a perfect 50:50 ratio). Its a bit of a pain, but at least on the 1.3l model the thermostat is super easy to get to. Use G12+ Coolant (Glysantin G30)
Hi Salieri, Thats the olny explanation but I suspect the 660 thermostat is a nightmare to get at soI may stay with 50% old and 50% new anti freeze. Mind you is the 1.3 a REAL Copen ? Yes,I get why Diahatsu would opt for a mass produced cheap Yarris engine over an expensive, complicated high revving DOHC turbocharged 660 but thats the whole point of the Copen isit not ? Discuss
I would put in as much new coolant as possible, then get the engine to operating temp so the thermostat opens up and lets more coolant flow through, then turn of the engine, let it cool, then drain it out again and repeat. You could also run the engine with the drain plug out so it will push the remaining coolant out. (obviously you shouldn't run the engine for long like this so you don't overheat it!) This might not get everything out but it should help get as much of the old coolant out as possible without removing the thermostat. I agree to an extent. This was one of the reasons why I chose the 659cc over the 1.3.
I opened the hose and blew the old antifreeze out with my mouth, then did the same with the block. Probably poisoned myself, but it works. Also make sure the heater is on. 50% antifreeze is better in some ways than going any higher because water cools better than antifreeze because it has a better heat transfer capacity.
