need help flushing engine coolant please
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need help flushing engine coolant please
What is the best method for doing this? I took off the overflow and cleaned that and the hose leading from that to the radiator and they were both VERY dirty the hose had a lot of dirt/debris in it and so did the tank. Then i open the valve to drain the radiator, it didnt look particularly clean but the bucket i used was already dirty so not sure exactly of the condition but i needs to be flushed anyways.
But then i went to look for the engine drain plug and im not exactly sure where it is or if im looking at the right thing. my haynes says it might be hidden behind the starter but im not sure if that is my engine or not, i have a 1990 ford f150 302 5.0l EFI . I found a round nut that needs a hex wrench on it, its about 2, 2.5 feet behind and oil filter and about level with it too, im not sure if this is it or not.
also i read some things about taking a hose off from the heater core and afterwards turning the heat on full blast could someone explain this to me please?
thanks for any help!!!!
But then i went to look for the engine drain plug and im not exactly sure where it is or if im looking at the right thing. my haynes says it might be hidden behind the starter but im not sure if that is my engine or not, i have a 1990 ford f150 302 5.0l EFI . I found a round nut that needs a hex wrench on it, its about 2, 2.5 feet behind and oil filter and about level with it too, im not sure if this is it or not.
also i read some things about taking a hose off from the heater core and afterwards turning the heat on full blast could someone explain this to me please?
thanks for any help!!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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Yes you want to run the heater when your flushing so it flushes the heater core , you can put a T in the heater hose so you can hook a garden hose to it & take off the rad cap to let the water out , or you can remove the upper radiator where it hooks to the radiator & put a garden hose in the rad to keep it full & let the waterpump pump it out . Motor running in both cases....Lew
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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There is a plug on both sides of the block to drain the coolant. The one on the drivers side sounds like the one you described. It should be the only allen head plug towards the back of the block. It might be a bear to break loose, so make sure you clean it out well and make sure your allen wrench is seated in it all the way. I think it was a 1/4" and bought the allen head socket so I could put it on a ratchet and get more leverage. The passenger side one is towards the front of the motor and can be kinda hard to see.
For flushing, go to wally world and buy the prestone flush kit and follow the directions on it. That kit works very well. Also, before actually flushing it, I would drain all the antifreeze and refill with water and use some sort of flush product in it. Drive it around for a few days to let it work and then flush it. Just make sure you keep an eye on the water level, because there will be some air working its way out of the system.
For flushing, go to wally world and buy the prestone flush kit and follow the directions on it. That kit works very well. Also, before actually flushing it, I would drain all the antifreeze and refill with water and use some sort of flush product in it. Drive it around for a few days to let it work and then flush it. Just make sure you keep an eye on the water level, because there will be some air working its way out of the system.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Acworth, GA
Here's what I do: Drain the radiator by opening the petcock at the bottom of the radiator then close it; Disconnect the upper radiator hose at the radiator; Fill the radiator with clean water; crank and run the engine, when it gets hot enough the thermostat will open and fluid will come out of the disconnected upper radiator hose (be sure to keep the radiator full of fresh water,,,ALWAYS), keep this going until the water that is coming out of the upper hose is clear; I then shut the engine off and drain the radiator again; reconnect the upper radiator hose and add one gallon of undiluted anti-freeze, then I take the empty gallon and another undiluted gallon and make two 50/50 mix gallons, which I then use to finish filling the radiator; Crank the engine and run to operating temperature again, keeping the radiator full of anti-freeze mix; once the thermostat opens again and the radiator is full of mix you can put the cap back on. Two notes; be sure to keep the heater on while flushing and filling, and be sure to check the fluid level again after it cools down.
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