Radiator and system flush
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
You can easily replace the t-stat at any time while loosing a minimal amount of coolant. A t-stat will do nothing w/o reprograming the fans to come on earlier to keep the car cooler in traffic.
It's a common misconception that a lower temp t-stat magically reduces the operating temperature of the car. All the t-stat does is control how soon the coolant begins to flow through the radiator.
I have a 180 degree stat and my fans reprogrammed w/ my tune. Car stays around 200 in traffic.
It's a common misconception that a lower temp t-stat magically reduces the operating temperature of the car. All the t-stat does is control how soon the coolant begins to flow through the radiator.
I have a 180 degree stat and my fans reprogrammed w/ my tune. Car stays around 200 in traffic.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
I mean... they're pretty cheap so I guess you could do it, but they tend to stick when the cooling system is neglected and gummed up. If it's clean I'd think you're fine.
You can test it in some hot water if you want to ensure the spring reacts properly. But typically I'll tell you the very first thing I learned in auto-tech in highschool.
If it ain't broke... don't fix it.
You can test it in some hot water if you want to ensure the spring reacts properly. But typically I'll tell you the very first thing I learned in auto-tech in highschool.
If it ain't broke... don't fix it.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
It is NOT recommended to use any type of chemical flush. Just flush with plain water until the solution is clear.
Personally, I prefer to use distilled water. Not all that expensive to use distilled water. Buy it in bulk in large containers for best price.
Some tap water is very "hard" and excessively loaded with minerals.
Thermostats can last for decades. I am a guy that owns and drives his cars for decades, so I know from first hand experience. Seriously, decades.
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Personally, I prefer to use distilled water. Not all that expensive to use distilled water. Buy it in bulk in large containers for best price.
Some tap water is very "hard" and excessively loaded with minerals.
Thermostats can last for decades. I am a guy that owns and drives his cars for decades, so I know from first hand experience. Seriously, decades.
-
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
As long as your thermostat was working, I would just drain the coolant and refresh it with a new 50/50 mix.
As a precaution, I like to drain mine when the engine is cold and refill, so that the thermostat and water pump do not have time to dry out.
It may be just a coincidence, but over the years, I have drained coolant out of cars and let them set overnight for one reason or another, and after the car is running again, the water pump starts leaking or the thermostat sticks.
It is in the 90's here, and yesterday my car got up to 205 when sitting still. Once I started moving, it would drop back down under 200.
As a precaution, I like to drain mine when the engine is cold and refill, so that the thermostat and water pump do not have time to dry out.
It may be just a coincidence, but over the years, I have drained coolant out of cars and let them set overnight for one reason or another, and after the car is running again, the water pump starts leaking or the thermostat sticks.
It is in the 90's here, and yesterday my car got up to 205 when sitting still. Once I started moving, it would drop back down under 200.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Jun 24, 2009 at 01:26 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 330
Likes: 33
From: Milwaukee WI
I saw a demo once where someone took a glass of tap water and a glass of distilled water and threw some coins in each. A week later, the tap water was cruddy, and the distilled was clear. That was enough to convince me.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
I saw a demo once where someone took a glass of tap water and a glass of distilled water and threw some coins in each. A week later, the tap water was cruddy, and the distilled was clear. That was enough to convince me.
Tap water's mineral concentration does vary significantly throughout the country, and some of it is hard. Hardness increases the water propensity to produce mineral scale, not corrosion. The harder the water, typically the less corrosive it is.
Google LSI (langelier saturation index) or RSI (rysnar stability index).
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Radiator flush complete...auto trans...stock stat cruising at 35miles an hour in 3rd 1500rpms 85 outside 192 all day long. Sitting in traffic saw 214 once..( i did vacuum out a large size birds nest from the top of the rad. before doing this)...things look ok to me..?..thanks for the replies...got the cleartastic comming
