[prm91]

Further to my previous post about this, I am trying to locate the coolant filler stem in order to try and top up the coolant, which is probably empty, and then see if it leaks out anywhere when the engine is run. Trouble is, it is not where the Haynes manual says it is, or anywhere else that I can see, and a previous owner may have modified it with an ordinary piece of hose. Can someone confirm that the coolant filler stem on a 1991 Rover 214 GSI is definately where the Haynes manual says it is - on the small, thin, heater matrix and manifold feed hose to the right of the air filter assembly at the side of the engine? Peter.

[g259fsg]

Hello prm91,

I have a 1990 214GSi and it did originally have the hose with the filler stem (No.17 on the Haynes Manual diagram 1.0 in section 3.2). However many years ago I had leak problems with it and the replacement hose had eliminated the filler stem. I just fill up through the header tank, however, you need to bleed air out of the bleed screw (No. 18) on the metal coolant pipe. Worth checking you don't have an air lock. I assume you also have the heater controls set to hot when filling up. You might be losing coolant from the water pump. If so, this will be dripping out of the bottom of the plastic cover over the timing belt.

When the engine is hot, you could check if all the hoses are hot as they should be.

If you fill up the system do you lose anything after it's been run? If you car was outside, you might have got down to -10. What concentration of coolant are you using?

Cheers,
Hugh

[prm91]

Hello Hugh, thanks very much for your reply. Yes, I've looked in the Haynes manual and seen the hose with the filler stem, and mine's missing too on my car. I think a previous owner had had the same problems as you and replaced it with a regular section of hose. I have tried to top up the system through the expansion tank and it did not need much at all, so there is plenty of coolant in it and no sudden, catestrophic loss as I feared could have happened. After finding there was still plenty of coolant in, I started the engine and let it idle whilst watching for leaks but nothing was leaking out from anywhere. In fact it just seemed totally normal. Yesterday I started it again and went a bit of a run for a few miles and again it was normal and so was the temp gauge. The weather here has been well above freezing for the past few days so I think it was either the thermostat sticking after being frozen solid for 3-4 weeks and it's now righted itself, or else the cooling system WAS still partially frozen at the time preventing coolant from flowing properly and it's now thawed out. The antifreeze has been in longer than it should and when I get the chance I'll replace it with some new at 50% level asap. Peter.

[g259fsg]

Hi Peter,

Glad to hear the car now seems to be running OK and no leaks. Without knowing the concentration of anti-freeze you might well have had a partial ice blockage in the hoses going to the radiator. I use around 50% mixture, and if a small top-up is required I usually add anti-freeze rather than water. It's generally recommended to change the coolant every 2 to 3 years to be sure it's effective.

All the best,

Hugh

[lewp91]

aha sucess!!

ive been searching allday long for the bloodt filler!!!
i cant find it yet it all looks orgianal :/
so can i just fill up with the expansion tank??
will it get round the system??
thanks guys

[g259fsg]

I haven't had any problems with the 214 since I replaced the hose with the filler stem. I always now fill through the header tank, but it is important to take the bleed screw out of the metal coolant pipe and wait until coolant starts to come out to ensure you don't have an air-lock. I also leave the heater control at full as well. I've not had any problems over the last 15 years since I replaced the original hose. After refilling, run the engine and keep an eye on the level in the coolant tank as the engine warms up, as the action of the pump and the opening thermostat may release more trapped air.

Cheers,
Hugh

[E_T_V]

I think it was only the very early cars that had the seperate filler. Later ones fill through the expansion cap but you need to remove the bleed screw to make sure you don't get an airlock.

[g259fsg]

Yes, I think it was only the early ones. Ours is early 1990, and did have the filler stem. I had leak problems with it fairly early on, long before the hose would need replacement, so it was clearly a weak point, and the replacement hose had eliminated the filler stem.

[lewp91]

ahhhh i see cheers for clearing that up lads
welll ive left it with water no cap nor bleed screw...
should be finishing the job after work tomorrow or thursday ;)
good to see after flushing that nothing but a light yellow couloured water came out and no rusty looking stuff!
i also managd to get all the orange residue out of the expansion tank thanks to a few small nuts, caustic soda and alot of hot water :P

thanks of the quick replies guys

shames theres no rep system here :/
(hint hint :P)

[lewp91]

all done now bled through and runs like a dream hotter than before with the heaters too