How do you drain coolant on a Vauxhall Astra?

The drain point is on the left hand side of the radiator looking at the front of the car, so drivers side. As mentioned wait until the car is cool before draining. Flush through with fresh water a few times until it runs clear then fill up with the correct mix of 50/50 antifreeze & water.

Can I change my coolant myself?

Over time, engine coolant loses its anticorrosive properties and lubricating ability. You can change your coolant yourself in about an hour. You’ll need to invest in an air-powered refilling tool to remove air pockets from the cooling system as you fill.

How much coolant does a Vauxhall Astra hold?

the 8v engine (without aircon) has 5.9 litres of coolant. With AC it has 6.2 litres. The 16 v engine (without aircon) has 6.3 litres of coolant.

What coolant do I need for a Vauxhall Astra?

Vauxhall recommend an ethylene glycol based silicate free anti freeze (MEG OAT), this can be ‘red’, ‘orange’ or ‘pink’. Note, just to confuse us not all ‘red’, ‘orange’ or ‘pink’ antifreezes will be an ethylene glycol based silicate free anti freeze.

How much does a coolant flush cost UK?

Usually, you should expect to pay around £100. For some cars, the price could get closer to £200. To make sure to get the right price for your car, compare prices of local garages on autobutler.co.uk.

Can you put water in coolant?

Only Use Water In The Radiator In An Emergency While it’s ideal to add a 50/50 mix of coolant and water (or a pre-mixed coolant), if you absolutely have to keep driving, you can add water to the radiator to get you to your destination. Let the engine cool down before you remove the coolant reservoir cap.

How do you know when to change your coolant?

If the coolant looks like there is rust in it, or if it is a brown color instead of the green or orange color it started out with, then you should bring it in to have the coolant flushed. If you can see that the coolant tubes in the radiator have clogs, then this is also a sign that the coolant needs changing.

Can you add new coolant to old coolant?

There is no problem with just topping up the coolant. You can add the coolant without flushing out the old. However, with time, the older coolant becomes acidic. This can cause corrosion, and afterward, can cause defects in the cooling system.

Does it matter what coolant I put in my car?

Well, you use the coolant that is specified in your owner’s manual. If you just need to top it up, the recommendation is still the same, however it is unlikely to cause any serious problems if you add a litre of a different type of coolant, as long as you follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.

Can you mix different brands of coolant?

If you mix two different coolants together, it will create a think substance that resembles that of a jelly. If this happens, the coolant will not be able to do its intended job. Instead, it will cause the engine to overheat. The damage can reach gasket, water pump, and radiator.

Why do I need antifreeze in my Vauxhall Astra J?

Antifreeze does not just prevent the cooling system from freezing up, it also protects all the components that are in contact with coolant from rust/limescale deposits. As a result, antifreeze should always be added, even in tropical countries.

How to start a Vauxhall Astra J engine?

Top up coolant up to the bottom line of the bleed nozzle on the coolant surge tank (1). When the coolant has stopped dropping top up the coolant until the bottom line of the down pipe hole (black arrow). 5. Start the Engine Note: After Engine Start top up coolant immediately until the bottom line of the down pipe hole (black arrow) and close cap.

When does a Vauxhall Astra head gasket fail?

If it does not,you will find out when the head gasket fails through corrosion around the waterways and oil feeds in the block/head interface. Click to expand… Click to expand…

How often does Vauxhall use 5 year coolant?

Vauxhall use 5-year coolant on their production lines, they have done for many years !!