What components need to be removed in order to do a coolant change. Does radiator need to be drained, or just hoses. 2011 xk

 

Here's a link to the workshop service manual you can download @ no cost.

http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Auto...XKworkshop.pdf

 

Thank you -the manual was very helpful. I am stuck trying to locate a drain plug shown on page 1197. I have no idea where the picture is showing. Thanks for any help!

 

Try posting a snapshot of the page or the image on the page

 

 

If you are referring to the purple drain plug, that is on the engine block, driver's side (LHD cars), near the exhaust pipe leading to the catalytic converter.

If you are referring to the blue drain plug, that is below the radiator.

Those colors are to highlight the drain plugs in the photos, don't expect the actual parts to have those colors.

I would say it is sufficient to drain the coolant from the radiator and forget having to raise up the car sufficiently to get under the engine so you can remove the purple drain plug.

 

I would agree with Patrick. I undid the 'blue' drain plug when I needed to drop the coolant level sufficiently to change a hose. I was able to access it without jacking the car up as well.

 

Thanks- I found the purple plug, and it is in an impossible location, with a not available to me tool needed for removal. Radiator flush looks good!

 

If you use a vacuum kit, you only need to access the blue plug and you will get a complete drain and fill. Most auto parts stores rent them and return all your money when you return the kit. They will even show you how to connect it and use it.

 

Sean,
If you only drain through the blue plug (bottom of the radiator), how can you do a complete drain if there is still coolant left in the block?
Also, thanks for the tip about the vacuum kit. I had never seen one of those before. That looks even better than I bought a few years back.
Thomas

 

I meant to say partial, not complete in that sentence. there are 3 procedures in the manual. only one is a complete drain and you need to access that plug. The other two are partial drain. The vacuum eliminate the fussing with the expansion tank.

 

Thanks. I'm about to do this soon and was hoping there was an easy/easier way than draining the block.

 

I suppose you could do a drain and fill using a vacuum fill kit, drive around, repeat a few times and you'd get something close to a full flush without draining the block.