Advice re-filling radiator

Hi All,
I purchased a 1992 Renault Trafic Campervan T1100 D in January. The radiator was emptied when the cold weather was on the way. I am having trouble re-filling it. I don't have a user manual for the vehicle, but have a manual for a similar age petrol version and have tried to use that as a guide, but they are obviously different systems.

I have read that the radiator system capacity is ~8L. I have only been able to get about 2L or so into the system through the expansion bottle. I can't seem to find another way to get the fluid in. There is no radiator cap that I can find and only one bleeder screw on the top right of the radiator. 

Does anyone still have one of these vehicles or know what I am doing wrong here? If the fluid is flowing out with no air bubbles with the bleeder screw removed, Does this mean it is definitely full? I am worried as I have put so little fluid back in the system and am off on a little trip this weekend so need to get it sorted ASAP.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

It's quite a while now since I last owned a Trafic, but I'm sure that some versions at least had a system where the expansion tank had to be unclipped from its "normal" position and attached higher up (on the bonnet) while the system is bled.

There are probably not many people on here with Trafics now, but you should be able to get good advice on this from the RTMR - I think at least one of our current membership is linked to that organisation.

Incidentally, it shouldn't be necessary to drain down under any UK winter conditions - if it's necessary because the coolant doesn't have enough antifreeze content then it's almost certainly harming the engine - because the coolant mix also includes essential anti-corrosion additives.

Good advice from Mojo. Also, there should be a bleed screw on the heater matrix, passenger side I think?

Frank

You can also squeeze the larger rubber hoses to help expel the air as you fill and ensure the heater is switched to high.

-mojo- wrote:It's quite a while now since I last owned a Trafic, but I'm sure that some versions at least had a system where the expansion tank had to be unclipped from its "normal" position and attached higher up (on the bonnet) while the system is bled.

There are probably not many people on here with Trafics now, but you should be able to get good advice on this from the RTMR - I think at least one of our current membership is linked to that organisation.

Incidentally, it shouldn't be necessary to drain down under any UK winter conditions - if it's necessary because the coolant doesn't have enough antifreeze content then it's almost certainly harming the engine - because the coolant mix also includes essential anti-corrosion additives.

Thanks mojo. I tried to drain it because the trader that I bought it off told me he had drained it for Winter and had just filled it with water so I could test-drive it and then drive away after purchasing.

Does make you wonder why he would think that he needed to drain it for winter - but probably best not to go there...

Hopefully someone at RTMR has been able to help. I don't know if the Russek manual covers the diesel engined variants, but I'm sure someone will know the procedure.

Hopefully you've been able to drain out the water and put the proper mix in by now - if not, don't delay!