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[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

Dear alfistas,

About a year ago my car lost all its water overnight due to failure of two enigne block taps (the copper taps) under the engine block. It was an easy replacement job due to its access point and and alltogether 4 copper taps worthed just 4 euros.

A week ago the same problem developed to one of the taps on the top side of the engine block. I replaced the faulty one as the car is going in for a full service in a couple of weeks and so all the taps at least at the top side will be changed. I know that there are a number of other copper taps at the front and rear of the engine block.

How many are in total and how often they need replacement?

In addition to the fact that the engine water will be drained once moe, what procedure should i follow to flush the cooling system in order to remove most of the rust running through the cooling system, before I replace the system with antifreeze?

Thanks
_________________
1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[gritsop]

Hi,

These taps indicate the route where cooling water passes through the engine. I don't know from memory how many taps there are on the engine block but definately as long as one fails you should expect the others to shortly follow.

Reasons for rusting and failing is inapropriate coolant in the engine. Goodwill brands of coolant should be used and not just "colored water" like many which exist in the market. It goes without saying that coolant should be replaced at regular intervals

Boxer engines tend to rust and the cure is fresh coolant during regular maintenance. There are companies that specialise in cooling system flushing and cleaning deviating the radiator and attaching a vaccum pump in the inlet and outlet hoses of the engine. This program lasts about an hour, letting the liquid circulate and do its job.

Its cost is around 50 € in Greece and I have heard from a person who did this work on his 1961 Giulieta very positive comments.

There is another way to flush the system on your own by adding a cooling system cleaner usually in a can of 250ml. This cleans the water channels during engine operation and after some designated kms or minutes coolant should be flushed , pressure cleaned with the garden hose and new fresh coolant added.

Hope this helped.

Regards
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

Thank Gritsop,

Actually the flushing as you mentioned is a way to get rid of most of the dirt running through the cooling system. If I can get my hands on a flushing aid chemical I might do it myself, although I am a bit worried about how corrosive these things are for the engine block and ´taps´.

Another way could be to flush the system a couple of times with distilled water. I will see!!!

Thanks for your advice

PS. Nice job with the Greek AROC by the way.
_________________
1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)

[gritsop]

Hi,

There is a case with cooling system flushing liquids in case your hoses are in moderate condition. If the hoses have become hard and brittle chances are that this liquid will speed up their wear!

Thanks for the kind words! Soon enough there will be online the English version of HAROC website so ... stay tuned !

Regards,
_________________
Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

[Dr A. 33 1.5IE]

So I better avoid the chemical way!!!

Thanks
_________________
1994 Alfa 33 1.5 IE Cat. 220.000Kms and still going strong!!! (Από την Αθήνα και τώρα στην Λευκωσία)