Sunbeam ALPINE I SERIES: APLINE II SERIES, Workshop Manual

Page: 33 / 413

WSM.124
Section A (Cooling System)
VACUUM PRESSURE
RELEASE VALVE
RELEASE VALVE
Fig. 1.
Radiator
relief
valve
OVERFLOW
PIPE
DRAINING THE COOLING SYSTEM
The radiator drain tap Is situated under the offside
(right-hand) of the radiator and the cylinder block
drain tap on the front of the nearside (left) part of
the engine front bearer plate. Both taps should
be opened together by turning the taps in an
anti-clockwise direction. When a car heater is
fitted, the temperature control must be set to the
HOT position.
REFILLING THE COOLING SYSTEM
Whenever possible clean rainwater, or softened
water should be used in preference to water taken
from a main supply.
If fitted the heater control must not be set to the
HOT position.
Under extreme cold conditions, warm, but not
boiling water, may be used if necessary. Water,
or anti-freeze solution should be poured In slowly
to prevent air locks.
After filling, the engine should be run for a short
time and the level rechecked to ensure that no loss
of water has occurred due to filling of the heater,
If fitted.
FROST PRECAUTIONS
Without using anti-freeze
When the car is used in very cold weather without
anti-freeze in the cooling system, great care should
be taken to ensure that the radiator is warm before
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attempting to drive the vehicle. If this Is neglected
there is a danger that the radiator may freeze if the
car is driven in temperatures below freezing point
before the thermostat is open. In cold weather the
bottom of the radiator should be blanked off so that
its bottom tank keeps warm, because it is here that
freezing commences.
Using anti-freeze
To avoid the possibility of the cooling system
freezing whilst the vehicle is stationary, or whilst
being driven in very cold weather, It is recom­
mended that an anti-freeze mixture is used, and
added in the quantities recommended by the
anti-freeze manufacturers.
We recommend anti-freeze mixture based on
inhibited ethylene glycol. Mixtures using alcohol
as a base are not suitable, as this will cause loss of
anti-freeze by evaporation.
Before putting anti-freeze compounds of any kind
in the cooling system, it is imperative that the
cylinder head and all hose connections should be
checked for tightness, as these compounds have a
very searching effect and should any leak into the
sump, very serious damage may occur owing to the
possibility of engine seizure. Do not exceed
specified torque figures for cylinder head nuts, given
in the Data Section under "Cylinder Head".
Cars with anti-freeze mixture In the cooling system
should have a label attached to the header tank of
the radiator, under the bonnet, to indicate the fact.
The following precautions are necessary on ca_rs so
marked:-
(a) Never fill the header tank -up to the overflow.
Leave space for the natural expansion of the
mixture to avoid unnecessary topping up and
consequent dilution. Top up when the system
Is warm.
(b)
If the cooling system has to be emptied run the
mixture into a clean container and use again.
(c) If for any reason the mixture is lost and the
system is filled with water, REMOVE THE
ANTI-FREEZE LABEL ON THE HEADER
TANK.
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