Coolant Change
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Adams TN
Coolant Change
As the winter is not that far away i figured i should change my coolant. we are out of school for thanks giving next week ( 5 day weekend next week and only 1 1/2 years left in high school) What is the best way to change the coolant and flush it good?
I was going to buy the premixed prestone 50/50 so i won't have to hassle with mixing the coolant. How much should i buy?
Should i run an additive in it with the coolant?
I was going to buy the premixed prestone 50/50 so i won't have to hassle with mixing the coolant. How much should i buy?
Should i run an additive in it with the coolant?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: redding U.S.A.
There are flushing products out there that clean the cooling passages, but they are very caustic and i personaly would not use them.
Drain the coolant using the drain plug on the bottom of the rad.
Fill it back up with water, run the motor a bit (don't let it get up to operating temp, thats why we use anti-freeze!) and then drain. Fill her up again and do the same thing.
Once the water is coming out clean, then fill it back up with coolant.
Run it to make sure you get rid of any air pockets, and check the coolant level again. Don't forget to fill the reservoir to the Fill line.
Drain the coolant using the drain plug on the bottom of the rad.
Fill it back up with water, run the motor a bit (don't let it get up to operating temp, thats why we use anti-freeze!) and then drain. Fill her up again and do the same thing.
Once the water is coming out clean, then fill it back up with coolant.
Run it to make sure you get rid of any air pockets, and check the coolant level again. Don't forget to fill the reservoir to the Fill line.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
This is what I do when I do a coolant system flush:
Buy the prestone coolant system flush kit and system cleaner. Dump the cleaner in and run for a couple hundred miles. Buy both upper & lower hoses and the two heater hoses if they've never been done. Also buy a new thermostat and gasket, you'll want to change that as well. And a new rad cap. Might as well do everything while you're in there.
Flush the system out real good as per the flush kit directions. Drain all the water, remove all the hoses, and change the thermostat. It's right on the front of the motor, and should take about 5 mins to do. Make sure you scrape the gunk out of the recess where the thermostat fits, or it will leak when you put it together.
Put it all back together, and fill it up. Start the engine and let it idle, filling up the rad occaisionally. When you're sure you have the system full, run it up to full temp and then let it cool down. Top it off again.
I think you need about 4 gallons. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. No additives should be necessary.
Buy the prestone coolant system flush kit and system cleaner. Dump the cleaner in and run for a couple hundred miles. Buy both upper & lower hoses and the two heater hoses if they've never been done. Also buy a new thermostat and gasket, you'll want to change that as well. And a new rad cap. Might as well do everything while you're in there.
Flush the system out real good as per the flush kit directions. Drain all the water, remove all the hoses, and change the thermostat. It's right on the front of the motor, and should take about 5 mins to do. Make sure you scrape the gunk out of the recess where the thermostat fits, or it will leak when you put it together.
Put it all back together, and fill it up. Start the engine and let it idle, filling up the rad occaisionally. When you're sure you have the system full, run it up to full temp and then let it cool down. Top it off again.
I think you need about 4 gallons. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. No additives should be necessary.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 356
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From: Southwest VA
well figured out a clean way to drain teh radiator got a gas siphon tube (has a rubber "balloon" and a 5 ft of hose and just fed the hose into the radiator and let it drain naturally. Was a very clean way to get a lot of coolant out then prob take off the rad hoses and drain the rest out.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 219
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From: Chicago
FYI
One thing to keep in mind is that the GUNK might be holding back a leak in the radiator or heater core, you might end up changing one or both. I would just drain the fluid and fill it back up but that's just me.
One thing to keep in mind is that the GUNK might be holding back a leak in the radiator or heater core, you might end up changing one or both. I would just drain the fluid and fill it back up but that's just me.
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Posting Guru
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From: Adams TN
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
The brand doesn't matter much, just get the most expensive one they have. The temp should be 195.
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From: Wetumpka, Alabama
Originally Posted by DT 466Man
I was going to buy the premixed prestone 50/50 so i won't have to hassle with mixing the coolant. How much should i buy?
Should i run an additive in it with the coolant?
Should i run an additive in it with the coolant?
It's worth the small hassel to mix it yourself IMHO.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 245
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just a word of caution. dont overtorque the water outlet when you put the t-stat back on. it will crack very easily(ask me how i know 
). make sure you get some RTV for the gasket too. the easist way is to put the thermo in the water outlet, then place it on the block. if you do this the otherway around and stick the t-stat on the block first, it will slide and you will have a leak.
). make sure you get some RTV for the gasket too. the easist way is to put the thermo in the water outlet, then place it on the block. if you do this the otherway around and stick the t-stat on the block first, it will slide and you will have a leak.
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