In the past I have been able to change the coolant in cars, without a big mess. But with the volume and numerous flush and fills to do the job right on there trucks. How do all you driveway mechanics do it without spilling half the coolant in the driveway causing the nabours from calling in the environmental people in. Any tricks tips or suggestion would help. There are probably many guys here that would change there own coolants if they could find a way from creating a big mess.

 

I guess this is one advantage to living in the country, I could change my coolant in the buff and nobody would know but me.

On a serious note, the biggest cause of the mess when changing coolant is when you remove the bottom hose to drain the system. If you use the drain plug it will take alot longer and probably wouldn't drain as well since the flow rate would be much slower but this would greatly reduce spillage.

 

In the buff ah! Not the way I pictured any mechanic flushing there truck. On a subject in question, that is the only way I could think of as well. This ill take a long time. But tae a nice Saturday afternoon and do it right.

 

Just have your perky Avatar put a 5 gallon bucket under your stopcock or large hose.

"Better than buff in the country".

Sorry, Cowboy65 went there, I followed.

 

I agree this is not a pretty mental image, but it seemed to illustrate my point. Also I usually change the coolant with the truck sitting in the grass next to the barn so this would tend to make you itch in all sorts of unmentionable places.

 

I had decent results just putting a 5 gal bucket under the lower hose and carefully pulling it off. You have to do it a bunch of times, so you start getting pretty good at it. You'll get wet from the warm golden shower, but it only feels kinky the first couple of times.

I didn't do it in the buff, but after the first drain I did remove my shirt.

 

You could also drive to some random parking lot and do it there.

 

I have pretty good luck lifting my truck up on my two post lift and walking under it. I drain from the petcock till it stops and then pull the lower radiator hose. This will work for you except for walking under the truck. LOL.

 

I do it the same way as 69cj only I drive up on ramps (Wish I Had A 2 Post Lift)

 

I just use a kitty litter bucket, its low and fits perfectly under the truck. Fills it up enough to just have to go dump it on the side of the house.

 

How long does it take before it stops draining from the petcock? About how much additional coolant drains when you then pull the lower hose?

It seems like this method may take longer to drain, but you might not have to wait as long for things to cool down because you have the added safety factor of the controlled flow from the petcock. Does that make sense?

 

I went to Wallyworld and bought a 30 inch long by 16 inch wide by 6 inch deep plastic storage box with a lid for around $4. It worked great. It is large enough in size to just put it under the lower hose and pull it off. Fills to about 75%. Put lid on and drag out to recycle. Worked even better than I hoped for.

Regards

 

I put a 3/8" poly tube on the drain **** and had the open end behind a tree since I live in a close quarters area. The only issue is that it killed my grass. That was a little give away, but the inspector (aka my nosy neighbor) never questioned it.

 

I am waiting for the tree huggers...

 

I was real nice to the ones that visited me... I invited them to sit down, and fed them with drinks made from the antifreeze I drained.

Never heard back from them again.