Any Tips on changing coolant on a 91 TR? | FerrariChat

Any Tips on changing coolant on a 91 TR?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Shamile, Nov 7, 2004.

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  1. Shamile

    Shamile F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2002
    6,712
    Lakeland FL
    Full Name:
    Shamile
    Dear Ferraristi,

    I want to change the coolant in my 91 Testarossa. The manual is it's usual confusing "missed in the translation" to english self.

    I have just bought a new expansion tank and want to change the coolant while I'm at it. ( About that, the old one leaking at 30K while the my Ford truck with 244K has the same original plastic one...hmmmm )

    The manual does show the drain tap on the left radiator, OK....that's fine but it talks about 2 bleed screws. One is on the right rad and the other is in front of the waterpump. Is there a proceedure to follow? Does the TR need jacking up on one side like when changing coolant in the 308?

    Please let me know.
     
  2. vincenzo

    vincenzo F1 Rookie

    Nov 2, 2003
    3,373
    Pull the wheels & front splash guards.

    Open vents(3) & expansion tank.
    1) driver side aluminum tube best reached from inside wheel well - it is under the fuel filter.
    2) center brass plug above the thermostat - fairly easy to reach if you pull the frontmost grill. Do NOT remove it - just loosen 3 or 4 turns. It has a bleed channel cut along the threads. If you remove & then drop it down the front of the motor you'll search for hours ;-)
    3) Right side aluminum tube near the front of the engine bay. Can't miss it from the top. Looks like a bleed screw on a brake caliper.

    Drain coolant throught the large (17mm?) plugs at the base of each radiator.
    Replace radiator plugs.
    Fill as much as you can (to the brim) with a distilled water/ coolant mix (think orange) - it goes in slow - keep refilling the tank.
    Close system - start car - let it warm (4 or 5 minutes) - watch temp gauge - shut it down.
    Open bleeds with the engine warm until no air comes out - close bleeds.
    Let it cool (closed bleeds!) & then refill.
    Start car & warm to full operating temp - watch gauge.
    Re-bleed after shutdown.
    Let cool & then refill.
    Repeat as required.

    Had the same problem with leaking expansion tank. Take it to a qualified welder (aircraft) & have him silver solder the joint. Have it painted with 70% gloss black powder coat, replace the sticker & it is better than new. 40 bucks or so - all in.

    Rgds,
    Vince
     
  3. Shamile

    Shamile F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2002
    6,712
    Lakeland FL
    Full Name:
    Shamile
    Dear Ferraristi,

    Aw Vince, where were you before I spent the 600 buck at my local "suck me dry " Ferrari Dealer?

    Thank you very much for the directions. :)

    Shamile
     
  4. henryk

    henryk Formula Junior

    Dec 9, 2003
    479
    Door County, WI
    Don't forget to drain the water from the engine block. This is done by removing two drain plugs, at the back end of each engine head.
     
  5. Shamile

    Shamile F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2002
    6,712
    Lakeland FL
    Full Name:
    Shamile
    Dear Ferraristi,

    Engine block drain plugs ? Oh boy, could you please elaborate. The manual doesn't even show that as must drain.
     
  6. henryk

    henryk Formula Junior

    Dec 9, 2003
    479
    Door County, WI
    They are located just to the right and left, of the clutch housing, while looking at the engine from the rear. They are about 19mm hex head bolts, right next to the clutch housing.........there is a LOT of coolant in there!!!!!!
     
  7. ferrarifixer

    ferrarifixer F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Jul 22, 2003
    8,520
    Melbourne
    Full Name:
    Phil Hughes
    Henry is right. They're 22mm though.

    And there is one bleed screw on top of each pipe near each radiator (10mm spanner), as well as the one on the thermostat housing.

    I fill the system with the screws loose a few turns (remove them first, clean them out and put antiseize on the threads).

    Then the system self bleeds itself while filling and I've never needed to bleed the thermostat housing at all.

    BTW, On TR (as opposed to TRossa) and most newer cars, they self bleed without screws as they have a return system to the header tank.
     
  8. ASG 86TR

    ASG 86TR Formula 3

    Aug 23, 2001
    1,474
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Adam G
    I need to repaint my expan tank. Can I just clamp off the hoses, and not drain the system? I was thinking just clamp the hoses off the tank, pull the tank with whatever liquid was in it, and then refill after painting. Will I get air in the system? Will this work? The tank was repainted and came out crap from the guy who did the 30K.
     
  9. Shamile

    Shamile F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2002
    6,712
    Lakeland FL
    Full Name:
    Shamile
    Dear Ferraristi,

    About the drain plugs on the engine, OK I found them. Before I undo them, do they have the " must replace " copper washers and what is the torque spec for retightening?

    Since I have to replace my expansion tank, I was wondering the same, If I could just raise the car on that end so the coolant level is higher on the tank side. I would unscrew the tank, hold hosed upwards, excess coolant out, slip new tank on. Is my plan flawed ? This has nothing to do with changing the coolant. I just don't like to do two jobs at once. I would rather take the time to get the tank in...make sure no leaks then do a coolant change.

    BTW, a Ferraristi mentioned orange coolant....I have green. Major service by Shelton Ferrari.....wrong stuff?

    Please let me know.


    Shamile

    Freeze.... Miami Vice !
     
  10. ASG 86TR

    ASG 86TR Formula 3

    Aug 23, 2001
    1,474
    New Jersey
    Full Name:
    Adam G
    Can one use vice grips to close off the hoses and just remove the expansion tank to get it repainted?
     
  11. cgperry

    cgperry Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2003
    506
    Chas SC
    Full Name:
    Charles Perry
    If you're using Vincenzo's procedure I think you would also want to make sure that your heater in the car was on high when the car is running so that any bubbles that made their way to the lines going to the heater core would have a chance to move to the bleed areas.
     
  12. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,105
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
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    Brian Crall
    Or if you have any kind of compressor at home you can buy an Airlift and never have to bleed anything, open valves, heaters etc. It will fill the system with no remaining air in about 30 seconds, maybe 45.
     
  13. parkerfe

    parkerfe F1 World Champ

    Sep 4, 2001
    12,887
    Cumming, Georgia
    Full Name:
    Franklin E. Parker
    Have it power-flushed at a good auto repair or radiator shop. You will not believe the crap a power-flush will get out of your cooling system. I had my ex-348Spider done while I waited...about an hour or so.
     
  14. Shamile

    Shamile F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2002
    6,712
    Lakeland FL
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    Shamile
    Dear Ferraristi,

    It's nice to see my old thread recycled again. Anyway, everyone's info and proceedures were correct.

    For the coolant tank, I would not vice-grip the tubing. You will collapse the webing inside and weaken the rubber in that area. Also, when you try to remove the hose, the "nub" on the tank fitting will crease the hose and it does not come off easily. To remove the hoses, cut a small slit to just over the nub and slide off. When you put the hose back, cut a small piece off...preferably just beyond where the hose clamp was. This way, you will have fresh hose when you reclamp. There should be enough slack in both hoses to do this. CHECK THIS FIRST BEFORE CUTTING. :)

    When I removed the tank, I jacked up the car on the driver rear to raise the tank about the coolant level in the system. I removed the tank, installed the new one, filled with coolant, then droped the car down. I did a preventative bleed to be sure.

    All went very well except when I let the car idle for a few hours a day when I was doing a coolant flush. DO NOT DO THIS ! Actually drive the car, don't let it idle.

    I hope this helps.

    Shamile

    Freeze...Miami Vice!
     
  15. EDoug

    EDoug Formula Junior

    Apr 19, 2005
    270
    Southern Florida
    I want to change the coolant on my 86 TR. I plan to open the 3 bleeders, and drain from both radiators and both engine block rear drains with the car level. I want to use the premixed Prestone long life coolant, so I do not want any dilution. I have 3 questions for anyone out there that has done this before. Will my plan for draining get all the old coolant out, or will any remain and dilute the new coolant? Are there copper washers on the block drains and the radiator drains that need to be replaced and any torque specifications? Finally, if I find the old coolant particularly dirty, what would be the best way to effectively flush the entire system. Thanks in advance for your advice.
     
  16. Shamile

    Shamile F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2002
    6,712
    Lakeland FL
    Full Name:
    Shamile
    Dear Ferraristi,

    Draining the coolant the way you describe is fine. I used the standard Prestone green coolant and diluted to 70% coolant ( as per prestone instructions) with distilled water. Don't forget to turn the heating on full so you can circulate the old coolant out of the heater core. To fully remove the old stuff, use Prestone coolant flush. I used two containers with DISTILLED water....not the garden hose they recommend. You won't believe the stuff that came out !

    Hope this helps.


    Shamile

    Freeze....Miami Vice!
     
  17. sparky p-51

    sparky p-51 Formula 3

    Aug 8, 2004
    1,375
    klamath falls, Or.
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    steve
    #17 sparky p-51, Feb 13, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Just revived this thread as summer is fast approaching and I need to change coolant in TR. OK Brian, what is an AIRLIFT? Hope its not like a sky hook or a box of post holes. Miss Ferrari sends her love.
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  18. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,105
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    Brian Crall
    #18 Rifledriver, Feb 13, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The brass piece fits in the coolant filler and attaches to an air hose. Via venturi vacuum is vacuums out the cooling system to 25 or so inches. Close the valve attach a long hose that goes down into a large container of coolant, water, whatever, open the valve and it fills the entire system without air pockets in no time. Great for those cars (airplanes?) that get air locked. In saved labor this thing has paid for itself many times.
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  19. sparky p-51

    sparky p-51 Formula 3

    Aug 8, 2004
    1,375
    klamath falls, Or.
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    steve
    Methinks that looks like a rather somewhat expensive tool. I'l just do it the old fashoned way, as described above, seeing that the job has to be done every other year. Thanks for the info. I would however get one for the 51, but it fills up at the header tank, burp the system at the rad, top off and good to go. 21 gals. 50/50. Thanks Brian.
     
  20. jwise

    jwise Formula Junior

    Apr 2, 2003
    781
    Portland Maine
    Here's one;

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AIRLIFT-COOLING-SYSTEM-BLEEDER-MECHANIC-TOOL-NEW_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ111106QQihZ019QQitemZ290081919531QQrdZ1
     
  21. sparky p-51

    sparky p-51 Formula 3

    Aug 8, 2004
    1,375
    klamath falls, Or.
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    steve
    I'l get it if price stays at or below 100.00. Great tool. Thanks J.
     
  22. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
    18,221
    Twin Cities
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    Tim Keseluk
    #22 2NA, Feb 14, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  23. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,105
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    Brian Crall
    Steve has one of those.
     
  24. sparky p-51

    sparky p-51 Formula 3

    Aug 8, 2004
    1,375
    klamath falls, Or.
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    steve
    #24 sparky p-51, Feb 15, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Boy, you bet I do. After suffering years of humiliation by being called 'shortie' by my first wife, I invested in the 'bump-pump' and just getta look at the smile on my new wifes face. Hell, getta look at the smile on my face. Think my glasses need cleaning.
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  25. Testa

    Testa Karting

    Mar 28, 2004
    50
    Need to flush the cooling system of my 91' Testarossa. To get all the old stuff out i want to use Bars Nural. The description says that for the flushing itself the thermostats have to be removed. Im wondering how to get this parts out without removing the alternator / AC compressor (or the complete engine).
    Has anyone done this before without removing engine/alternator/AC ? Any hints ?
    By the way, What is the reason for removing the thermostat when using Bars Nural ?

    The reason why i want to use the Bars stuff is because i need to fill in some Bars Leaks afterwards. Currently I have to refill some coolant fluid after every 100km but there is no leak visible from outside. One head was already replaced, head gaskets are new (two times replaced but no visible damage), bolts also new. Coolant tank cap is also ok.
    Since the cylinder head change engine is running much better than before but still uses coolant fluid...
     

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