How to Replace the Coolant in a Peugeot 408?
3 Answers
The method for replacing the coolant in a Peugeot 408: 1. Remove the intake pipe at the front of the air filter, detach the intake pipe, select an easily accessible radiator hose, pull out the hose to let the coolant spray out; 2. Allow the coolant to drain completely, then begin pouring in new coolant; 3. After filling to the MAX line, tighten the cap, start the vehicle and press the accelerator a few times; 4. Turn off the engine, unscrew the cap to continue adding coolant, check for any leaks at the previously detached hose, and if there are no leaks, the replacement is complete. The Peugeot 408 is a compact sedan under the Peugeot brand, equipped with two engines: a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine and a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. In terms of suspension, the Peugeot 408 uses a MacPherson strut independent suspension at the front and a torsion beam non-independent suspension at the rear.
I've been changing the coolant for my Peugeot 408 by myself, and the process is actually quite simple but requires attention to detail. First, prepare the green coolant certified by Dongfeng Peugeot, making sure to buy the correct model as specified in the manual. Operating on a cold engine is crucial—opening the cap on a hot engine can cause splashing! Locate the expansion tank in the engine bay, slowly unscrew the cap to release pressure, then crawl under the car to find the radiator drain valve, using a container to catch the old fluid. After draining completely, I usually rinse it briefly with distilled water twice to ensure no residue remains. When adding new coolant, take your time—first pour it between the Min and Max lines, start the engine, and wait for the cooling fan to kick in. The fluid level will drop, so slowly top it up to the standard line. Finally, don’t forget to bleed the air by repeatedly squeezing the coolant hoses until you see bubbles emerge. The whole process takes about 40 minutes, and all you need are a wrench and a basin.
Last time I changed the coolant for my Peugeot 408, I learned a lesson: safety details are crucial. You must wait until the engine is completely cooled down, and the radiator doesn't feel hot to the touch before proceeding. Wearing gloves and goggles is essential, as coolant can cause skin allergies. When draining the old fluid, pay attention to environmentally friendly disposal—this stuff is toxic and shouldn't be poured just anywhere. Use a dedicated funnel when adding new coolant to avoid spills, as the filler neck position on the Peugeot 408 is a bit awkward and requires adjusting the angle. Most importantly, don't mix different coolants—different color formulations can cause chemical reactions and corrode the pipes. After refilling, let the engine idle for ten minutes while turning on the heater to ensure the cooling system circulates thoroughly. It's recommended to change the coolant every two years or 60,000 kilometers—don't wait until abnormal water temperature issues arise.
