Microlighters

I need to replace the coolant on my 582 as there is a lot of 'gunk' in the overflow bottle, ie. sediment.

The question now is should I first add radiator flush to loosen the sediment and can I then just drain the fluid by loosening the pipe that runs from the radiator to the engine or is there a specific way of draining the coolant to be replaced?? Would it make sense to take the radiator to perhaps Silverton Radiators to have it properly cleaned?? Engine is ±5 years (170 Hours)

As I want to raplace with a mix of 50/50 (is this correct) what is the volume I need to mix to have minimum wastage.

Thanks

Some products require you to run the engine to circulate the water after adding the flush whilst others just say to "add and drain". This doesn't make sense to me and I personally would circulate the mixture first. Then drain and re-flush the entire system with "de-ironised" water (I get it from Sabat Batteies at 1cent per 20 liters........yes, that's correct...1cent) Take your own container though.

The typical Rotax system on a 582 holds about 2.35 litres of liquid. This may differ on your setup according to the size of your radiator. Even though Rotax specifies a 50/50 mixture I would not do that. Remember that Antifreeze is exactly that....antifreeze. It prevents freezing. It is NOT a good cooling agent. You would use a 50/50 ratio in freezing conditions, not in the Northern part of South Africa. A 20% or so ratio of Antifreeze is more than adequate. That's about 500ml of Antifreeze plus 1.8 litres of distilled water, for the typical Rotax installation.

... or you could add Glycol! Only kidding!

Thanks Duck.

Will add wynns flush and do short flight around the cabbage patch, drain and then replace with the said mixture.

Regards

You don't even have to fly.........just warm it up on the ground

Duck Rogers wrote:You don't even have to fly.........just warm it up on the ground

NO NO NO Always fly it!!! Always make an oppertunity to go flying.......
"Sorry Lovie I need to go to the airfield and fly..... can`t drain the water without flying the plane firts so its gonna take a while...."

RED

Just done my cooling system. Drain all your coolant and fill with plain water, add double amount of descaler that you use for kettles and irons. Run motor tell it is at temp and shut down. Leave for about 30 minutes drain and flush system well with plain water. I refilled with 30% mix as to much coolant increases temperaters.Run motor till at temp, shut down and when cool top up system and bottle. My temps now to book spec.

If your radiator is the highest point in the system the low point drain is a small 6mm bolt on the bottom of the water pump. This will drain all the coolant out of the engine. You can then refill with flushing water and drain again a couple of times. Distilled water would be best though tap water would be OK for flushing or a mix.

If your radiator is the lowest point in the system, you need to drain from the radiator and the pump drain will drain the engine block.