I need to flush my coolant but i have no idea how to do it. Could somone please provide instructions?

thanks.

 

The radiator drain is at the lower, right corner of the radiator. Open it, let it run until the flow stops, close the drain and refill the system with water. Run the engine until the thermostat opens, shut off the engine, carefully release the pressure in the cooling system and open the radiator drain again. Repeat this procedure until the coolant coming out of the radiator runs clear. You may need to do this tedious flushing trick several times to get the water to run clear.Once the flushing is done, close the drain and fill the system with a 6.5 qts. of Dex-Cool (50%). Add distilled water until it reaches the base of the surge tank neck. Start the engine and let it idle for a minute then cycle engine speed from idle to 3000 rpm and back until coolant temperature reaches 210¡F. Remove the tank cap, observing the cautions discussed previously. The coolant level should be about 1/2-in. above the "cold full" mark on the tank. If it is not, top off with distilled water, replace the cap, start the engine and repeat the above procedure.

 

thanks. Does having the car on ramps affect the draining?

 

It might improve it if the front is slightly higher.

 

excellent, i will tackle that this weekend. Thanks for your help.

 

I do not agree. It might help if the front is slightly lower. This would help get coolant out of the engine block and heater core.

Bill

 

I would raise it for the filling part to help remove the air in the system.

 

unfortionatly, i don't have a lift. All i have is a set of ramps and a floor jack.

suggestions on lifting procedure to get all the gunk out? Are there any coolant system cleaners (that work) to make sure i get all the crap?

 

I think ramps would work fine. I wouldnt put any cleaners in my system, but thats just me. I would just flush it with water like stated before, unless you are seeing chunks and have overheating problems due to a clogged radiator.

 

if you are flushing it with regular water does it really make any sense to use distilled water? once water is in your system you can't get it all out so are you really doing much good? how many actually use distilled water? doesn't dexcool have antioxidant additives?

jim

 

There have been heated debates about tap water, distilled water and de-ionized water. The manual says "clean drinkable water", that's what I use.

 

What I have used is the filtered drinking water from those water dispensing machines that can be found all over (grocery stores, wally world, free-standing in parking lots, etc). It's cheaper than distilled water (not that distilled water is expensive by any means) so if you don't want to pay for distilled water, I think this is a good less expensive alternative that's probably somewhat better than water straight out of the tap.

 

I forget who I go this from, but it worked for me. Sorry it is long, but , oh well...

Draining and Filling Cooling System

Caution
With a pressurized cooling system, the coolant temperature in the radiator can be considerably higher than the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure. Removal of the surge tank cap, while the cooling system is hot and under high pressure, causes the solution to boil instantaneously with explosive force. This will cause the solution to spew out over the engine, the fenders, and the person removing the cap. Serious bodily injury may result.

Important
If the procedure below is not followed a low or high coolant level condition and/or vehicle damage could result.

1) Park the vehicle on a level surface.

2) Remove the surge tank cap.

3)Raise and suitably support the vehicle.

4) Place a drain pan under the draincock.

5) Open the radiator draincock.

6) Allow the cooling system to drain completely.

7) Inspect the engine coolant for the following:
Discolored -- follow the flush procedure below.
Normal in appearance -- continue with the next step.

Notice
When adding coolant, use DEX-COOL® coolant. If silicated coolant is added to the system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine coolant will require change sooner-at 50 000 km (30,000 mi) or 24 months.

Notice
Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

8) Close the radiator draincock. Tighten.
Tighten the radiator draincock to 2 N•m (18 lb in).

9) Fill the cooling system through the surge tank.

10) Fill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL® coolant and deionized water.

11) Start the engine.

12) Allow the engine to idle for 1 minute.

13) Install surge tank cap.

14) Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant temperature reaches 99°C (210°F).

15)Shut off the engine.

16) Remove the surge tank cap.

17) Start the engine.

18) Allow the engine to Idle for 1 minute. Fill the surge tank to 12.7 mm (0.5 in) above the COLD FULL mark on the surge tank.

19) Install the surge tank cap.

20) Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).

21) Shut off the engine.

22) Remove the surge tank cap.

23) Top off the coolant as necessary, 12.7 mm (0.5 in) above FULL COLD mark on the surge tank.

24) Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the engine compartment.

25) Inspect the concentration of the engine coolant.

26) Install the surge tank cap.

Flush procedure:

Run engine till thermostat opens

Stop engine

Follow the drain and fill procedure using only clean drinkable water, repeat if necessary until fluid is nearly colorless. Refer to drain and fill procedure. Fill cooling system. See drain and fill procedure.


Drain and fill procedure:

Make sure engine is cool, remove radiator fill cap

Open radiator drain ****

Allow to drain completely

Close drain ****.

Fill system thru surge tank opening

********Fill half the system with 100% Dex Cool

********Add clean water till it reaches the base of the neck.

Start engine and idle for 1 minute

Replace surge tank cap

Cycle engine RPM from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until coolant temp reaches 99 degrees

Shut off engine

Remove surge tank cap

Start engine

Idle for 1 minute and fill surge tank to ½ inch ABOVE Full Cold mark on tank

Install surge cap

Cycle engine again idle to 3000 RPM in 30 second intervals until temp reaches 99 degrees

Shut off engine

Top off coolant as necessary ½ inch ABOVE FULL COLD mark on tank

 

You need to have the rear end higher for draining.

You need the nose higher for filling. This will get the air out of the system.

Your heater should be on high temp and high speed. This will open the heater core. Do not haave the AC system running as this will cuase the value to close to the heater core.

 

I use distilled; LOTS of distilled. Just let the engine keep running after you've done the initial flushing and then start feeding it distilled only. I used about 6 or 7 gallons if I remember. Shut off the engine, let everything continue to drain then close the petcock. Then pour in two gals Dex and continue filling w/distilled. As cheap as distilled water is, why not? Only takes a little more time, that's all.

Oh. BTW be careful when opening the drain. It takes a 1/4 turn CCW only. If it is still draining too slowly, carefully use some needle nosed pliers to grip it and pull straight out. Mind the o-ring too.
HTH

 

okay: 2 questions:

1) at what temp does the stock themostat kick in?
2) What is the normal temp range after the new coolant is installed?

 

can anybody tell me how I open the drain ****? It's too narry for me to see what's in there (screw? bolt? or what)

 

there's a small plastic bolt like thing just above the drain hole. I used a pair of pliers to grabs and twist counterclockwise until it clicks. then pull it out slightly and the coolant will drain. Be advised that the draining process will take between 20-30 minutes fo completley drain.

 

you were able to fit pliers in there????

 

1) 190 degrees
2) 200ish I'd say, dependant on a few driving and enivironmental factors