scorp508

I'm gonna (I think) drain the radiator/block today and refill. Whats the best early C4 procedure?

Thanks! :)

jfb

There are no provisions to COMPLETELY drain the block, some old coolant stays in the lower part of the block below the water pump passages, so if you want it out, then a power flush is necessary, otherwise, don't worry about it because the new coolant will dilute and neutralize the old coolant. I doubt that your old coolant is harmful anyway and if this is a concern, buy some pH test strips and test your old coolant.

scorp508

Thanks. I just plan to get as much out as possible. I haven't changed the coolant in the 1.5 years or 56k miles I've had the car.

Nathan Plemons

An electric water pump sure makes it easy ;) I flushed ALL of my coolant in an hour and a half, two hours maybe.

Really though it is hard to get all the old coolant out, if you've got all day you can flush it, fill it, run it, flush it, fill it, etc, until you have just clear water. Then you can fill with the proper mixture.

Romeo Barrera

I always use my wet-or-dry shop vac to suck out as much coolant as possible. Makes it really easy.

GlockLT4

I'd just run as much water through it as you can...

SunCr

To drain most of the lower block you can disconnect the oil cooler hose on the leftside. For the right, I believe removing the knock sensor does the trick.

Red85

Whatever you do, follow the directions EXACTLY on the flush chemical you use. I didn't, and paid for it.....
Prestone radiator flush is good stuff. The directions call for draining the system, filling with water only, and adding the chemical. Drive for 3-10 hours, then drain again and add clear water. Drive again for 3-10 hours, then drain and add antifreeze.
I skipped the second step, and it ate through my drain plug's threaded shaft. Coolant drained to the highway and left my daughter stranded with 299 degrees on the temp guage. $415 later and a wrecker ride, a new tank was installed on the radiator's passenger side and she's o.k. with no head gasket damage......I was lucky.
Radiator shop said that was the cleanest radiator they'd seen in awhile, 'tho.....

scorp508

Hmm...., red 85 that sounds like some good stuff. The only thing is that temps have finally started hitting mid 30s at night, so it might not be good for the "fill with clear water" stage. :D

BlackRocket

Do not use a Prestone flush kit. You introduce cold water into a hot engine with this kit and can cause irreparable damage. Just flush and fill and drive 2x, then fill with distilled water and coolant mixture. Should be good for about 2 years. ;)