Coolant Flush and hose replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 438
Likes: 14
From: Tucson/Santa Paula AZ/CA
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Coolant Flush and hose replacement
I'm in the process of changing both the upper and lower original radiator hoses. I flushed the system 3 times with plain water until it was running clear. I drained the engine block by pulling the oil cooler water hose off the left side and it drained instantly. On the right side, I removed the knock sensor. No old coolant came out. I had to clear some black hardened slag-like material out of that hole to get it to drain. There was just a very thin build-up, enough to stop the gravity-flow of coolant. That sensor has never been removed before. I'm assuming it's just crud that was in the block when new.
I don't think I've ever seen a more difficult lower radiator hose access. I removed the belt and secured the tension pulley out of the way but I still had a hell of a time getting to that damn GM spring clamp.
Needless to say, the hoses are going back on with stainless steel HiGear clamps.
Has anyone found an easier way to access the upper end of thelower hose? No, I don't want to remove the A.C brackets until I do the water pump some day in the future when it fails.
Thanks,
Mick
I don't think I've ever seen a more difficult lower radiator hose access. I removed the belt and secured the tension pulley out of the way but I still had a hell of a time getting to that damn GM spring clamp.
Needless to say, the hoses are going back on with stainless steel HiGear clamps. Has anyone found an easier way to access the upper end of thelower hose? No, I don't want to remove the A.C brackets until I do the water pump some day in the future when it fails.
Thanks,
Mick
Last edited by QZRBLU; May 26, 2012 at 02:15 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
The easiest way is to have someone else do it
. But I don't trust others to do it correct, so a few bruised knuckles on my part.
You will get a build up inside the block of rust because it is a cast iron block. Just one of those things you put up with. But if you flush it every couple of years you will be in good shape.
. But I don't trust others to do it correct, so a few bruised knuckles on my part. You will get a build up inside the block of rust because it is a cast iron block. Just one of those things you put up with. But if you flush it every couple of years you will be in good shape.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 438
Likes: 14
From: Tucson/Santa Paula AZ/CA
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
I finally got my new hoses from Rock Auto and installed them today. Removing the serpentine belt tensioner made enough room to get the water pump lower hose back on. It is STILL one of the worst I've seen. I also removed and flushed the upper fill tank. I soaked it with LimeQway and ran a brass 20Ga brush through the heater hose connectors. Nice and clean now. Hard to believe how much rust was in that tank from the rusty radiator cap. It will get a new cap every few years now.
Mick Now off to fill and burp the system.......
Mick Now off to fill and burp the system.......
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Interesting laws in California prohibit dumping coolant into the gutter/storm drain because it drains to the ocean in my area (about 15 miles from the ocean). But you CAN dump it down the drain in the house. They assume it will be diluted enough by all the other water in the system that it will be OK when it gets to the water treatment plant.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 438
Likes: 14
From: Tucson/Santa Paula AZ/CA
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
I save it for our city hall folks (the idiots must be drinking it). 
Open first Saturday of each
month, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
• Eastside City Hall, 7575 E.
Speedway Blvd.
Our local Fletchers Auto accepts up to 5Gal too.
Mick
Open first Saturday of each
month, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
• Eastside City Hall, 7575 E.
Speedway Blvd.
Our local Fletchers Auto accepts up to 5Gal too.
Mick
Last edited by QZRBLU; Jul 3, 2012 at 10:10 AM.
