Attention! The expansion tank cap shown in the picture 135, open only when the coolant temperature is no higher than 90°C. Recommended temperature is –50°C. Turn the plug one turn, wait until the pressure equalizes, and remove it completely. When opening, place a thick cloth on the cap to avoid burns from steam or splashes of hot coolant.
To replenish small losses of coolant, you can use ordinary water. Lime-free, rainwater, distilled water are not suitable for the cooling system as they can cause corrosion.
If the level of liquid in the cooling system has dropped significantly during the trip, do not add cold water to the hot engine, as this may deform the cylinder head. A small amount of water can also be added to a warm engine. The coolant is replaced in the following order:
- if the engine is hot, to add coolant, slowly unscrew the cap to release steam. The coolant temperature must never exceed 90°C. When opening, first turn the plug one turn, wait until the pressure equalizes, and only then open it further;
- unscrew the fastening parts and remove the radiator protection under the engine;
- drain the coolant from the bottom of the radiator into a container provided. If you are draining antifreeze that is intended for further use, use a suitable container;
- to prevent air locks from forming when filling the system, you should consider the following simple recommendations:
- 1) regardless of whether the car has air conditioning or not, set both heater controls to maximum heating, with automatic climate control set, press the DEF button;
- 2) pre-prepared antifreeze (see subsection 4.1.2) pour into the radiator until its level reaches the lower edge of the filler neck. For ease of determining the level, you can use a "carrying device". Do not screw in the filler cap yet;
- 3) start the engine and warm it up to operating temperature, i.e. until the thermostat opens. Close the filler cap when the temperature reaches 60–70°C;
- check the coolant level.