Skoda Workshop Service and Repair Manuals > Octavia Mk1 > Drive unit | 1.9 l/81 kW TDI Engine, Mechanics | Engine cooling | Removing and installing parts of the cooling system

Draining and filling up coolant

Special tools and workshop equipment required

t	Catch pan (e.g. -V.A.G 1306-)

t	Pliers for spring strap clips

–	Open the cap of the coolant expansion reservoir.

WARNING

Hot steam may escape when the expansion reservoir is opened; cover the cap with a cloth and open carefully.

–	Remove engine cover → Chapter.

–	Remove the left noise insulation in the middle -arrows-.

–	Turn drain plug -arrow- on the radiator to the left, if necessary fit auxiliary hose onto connection.

–	In addition, detach coolant hose at bottom of oil cooler -arrow- and allow remaining coolant to drain.

Select the appropriate coolant additive from the catalogue of original parts Škoda or from the list of allowed coolant additives → Octavia.

Recommended mixture ratios:

Antifreeze protection down to	Antifreeze concentration → Note²⁾		Drinking water → Note
-25°C -35°C	40% (2.7 ltr.) 50% (3.4 ltr.)		60% (4.1 ltr.) 50% (3.4 ltr.)

¹⁾	The proportion of coolant additive must not go below 30% due to corrosion protection considerations but must also not exceed 60% otherwise the frost protection effect will be reduced and the cooling effect worsened.

²⁾	The coolant amount may differ according to the version of the vehicle.

–	Fill up coolant gradually up to the “max” marking on the compensation bottle.

–	Start engine and run for not more than 2 minutes at 1500 turn/rpm; at the same time fill up coolant up to overflow hole on the compensation bottle.

–	Seal expansion reservoir.

–	Run engine until fan starts.

–	Check the level of coolant and top up if necessary. When engine is at operating temperature the coolant level must be at the "max" marking, when engine is cold between the "min" and the "max" markings.

Skoda Workshop Service and Repair Manuals