Draining coolant on 2016 EURO6 Boxer

IanFl

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Self converted boxer
I'm trying to do a coolant change on my 2016 Boxer (with the 2.2 Adblue engine). I can't for the life of me work out how to drain the system.
All the guides I can see online are for the earlier version of the engine which is different.

What I think I know so far:
  • There is no drain plug - the coolant is emptied by disconnecting the lower radiator hose.
  • The hose in question is on the bottom right of the radiator (looking forwards)
  • There is a metal clip on the plug that slides to one side - it seems like this should release a latching mechanism - but nothing happens. I've put a reasonable amount of force on the connection, but the pipe doesn't move.
  • It feels like there is still a clip or latch holding the pipe connector in place, but I can't see anything other that the metal clip. It doesn't feel any different with the clip either pull out or pushed in.
What am I missing?

This is the view from under and slightly behind the radiator, looking forwards and upwards at about 45 deg. The metal clip is slid outwards to the left:

PXL_20221111_125547187.jpg
 
Nothing. I think that is in the released position. Just need to work the hose out. Looks like some crap around it but a good pull should sort it.
 
Nothing. I think that is in the released position. Just need to work the hose out. Looks like some crap around it but a good pull should sort it.
Thanks - I'll just be less gentle :giggle:

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Is it not easier to release the hose at the jubilee clip at top of photo?
It's a crimped-on band rather than a jubilee clip. I could cut it and replace with a jubilee, but I'd prefer to disconnect the proper way
 
Thanks - I'll just be less gentle :giggle:
I'm still struggling. :cautious: I think it has to be pulled out exactly parallel to prevent binding, and I can't get the angle right. It's getting dark now, so I'll try again in the morning.
 
Last edited:
Most people, irrespective of the vehicle, will just cut the clip, drain and replace with a jubilee hose clip. This then enables you to repeat the process easier from then on.
 
Most people, irrespective of the vehicle, will just cut the clip, drain and replace with a jubilee hose clip. This then enables you to repeat the process easier from then on.
That's what I've resorted to this morning - I couldn't get the plastic plug to move even a mm.

I'm surprised how little coolant came out - I've collected about 5L - I was expecting about 11L. I'm sure I've lost a little due to spillage, but not 6L.

Could somebody in the know confirm the amount of coolant for the 2.0 adblue engine. (I said 2.2 in the first post, but I was wrong - it's 2.0). My expectation of 11L was from googling about the 2.2 engine

Thanks

Ian
 
Another report on what I think I know:

Having cut away the crimped ring from the lowest rubber hose joint, I had a easy job of draining the fluid - however getting all the green coolant out was much harder than I thought. It look 3 or 4 fill/run/drain cycles with water until it ran clear. On each drain, I was only collecting about 3L of liquid.

Based on the number of cycles until all the green colour was out, I infer there must be a relatively large dead-leg somewhere that doesn't drain under gravity - maybe it needs compressed air to blow through?

Anyway - my conclusion is that the whole system holds about 5L, and 2L is left inside the system even after draining.

Once the flushes were coming out clear, I topped up with the pink stuff, and then did a couple of drain/run/fill cycles again using fresh pink coolant to flush out the rinse water. I'm sure this isn't the recommended way to do it, and it's very wasteful of antifreeze. However I'd already bought 15L, so I had it to hand.

This was only meant to be quick 30 min job, and it's taken the best part of 2 weekends. 🤷‍♂️

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I know its done now but are you sure the heater matrix was emptied? is this your dead space? What may sound like a realy daft question, have you more than one heater matrix, eg one in the habitation/ passenger area?
 

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