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Triumph TR3 - Refilling Radiator and Heater

Can anyone offer sage advice on how best to refill the cooling system after having completely drained it and repairing the radiator? I've also added a heater with attendant plumbing and would like to avoid air blockages as I refill.

My approach is to first refill the system with plain water to inspect all the hose clamps and plumbing fixtures, then drain and refill with a coolant mix. Figured it was better to discover a plain-water leak from the heater rather than one with anti-freeze...

Almost there...

Bill Stagg
1961 TR3A
Bill Stagg

Hi Bill - I use deionized water or distilled mixed 50/50 with antifreeze. I just fill it up to where you can see about 1/4" in the bottom of the fill box. If you have a thermostat, you should have seen a small hole in the plate to allow air bubbles to get out and the fluid to get through. If you have put in a plug in the by-pass hose, you should have at least a 1/8" diameter hole in it for the same reason. Make sure the heater valve is open at the rear of the block.

Then when you start up the car, it will circulate, also through the heater. As it gets warmer, you may see bubbles in the fill box. Add more fluisd as required afte it's warm. The level again should be 1/4" visible in the bottom.

Don Elliott, 1958 TR3A

BTW, I changed the oil and greased mine yesterday and went out for about 35 miles. What a life !!!
Don Elliott

This thread was discussed between 08/04/2003 and 11/04/2003

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