Thread: asking one last time before i do it...

ok so im going green this weekend on the coolant...need to know 2 things...

1. Best way to flush it and where to drain the orignal dexcool from? do i flush with a hose and water until it runs clear? i need detailed intructions please

2. And, the breather valve on the tstat how long should i run it with the thermo popped and breather open? how long will it take to know all the air out i know i got air in my system now because my temp will randomly go up...and then down its from me pulling the coolant temp sensor to pull the driver side dog bone bracket for paint projects....

anybody?

I got a coolant flush kit from peak for like 5$ and it had all directions on the bottle. You do not need to take the thermostat off unless you are going to replace it. You will just need to leave the bleeder screw on the waterneck loosened until there are no more air coming out of it, just liquid. you can start the car with it closed, but once you start to circulate coolant then just crack it open a little bit until you see fluid a couple of different times. Just make sure to rinse several times getting it up to temp and running it at temp for a while to make sure that you do not mix coolants(this is critical) Also when filling the radiator back up and letting it circulate getting all of the air bubbles out, make sure to leave the coolant cap off of the radiator which will allow the air to escape. Just make sure to keep an eye on the level, as it will go down once it starts to fill the system. The petcock drain is on the bottom of the radiator on the drivers side. It turns about a quarter turn only and then pulls out to allow your coolant to drain.......Hope this is enough to get you started. I know on my coolant flush I had to do the following:
1. drain all old coolant out of system as much as possible
2. rinse as much as possible......when running pretty clear seal system back up and get up to temp. drain all fluids again.
3. fill levels up with water and coolant flush liqued(about a quart) and run at operating temps for 4-6 hours
4. drain flush liquid, rinse, fill with water get up to temp.
5 drain water, finally refill with coolant/water mix

i have to run the car with the flush solution for 4-6 HOURS!?

with the kit I bought I did......I think it is beneficial as it tries to actually clean the entire system before replacing the fluid...........It just depends on what type you buy. Just follow the directions on whatever type you get. It isnt that hard, it just means you cant get it done all at once. It is more of a two day project....the first day draining, rinsing, and getting the cleaner in there. Drive it until you get the recommended time period covered, and the second day drain the cleaner, rinse and then finally fill with coolant/water mix. To me this is a thorough cleaning and well worth the little bit of extra time. It isnt hard, it just isnt fast........

I would not go straight from Dexcool to green. When I did it, I flushed the system with water, then flushed it again with water. I drove it for a day, then flushed it again and switched to the yellow stuff. I ran that from spring until early fall, then did the flush routine again...and it still looked like a little Dexcool had found its way out of the system. Be sure to get the engine up to temperature for the flush, and make sure you are running the heater as well.

damn.....I forgot all about the heater......frick.........how could I forget that....*&()*&)(*&)(*&)*&(*(&(*&*&%%#@@#@!@#(pleas e insert your favorite swear words here)

actually, I believe I did do the heater as well.......I didnt see anything abnormal about the coolant that is in there now......I will have to re drain it and check it again before winter.

so have the heater on during the flush process? ok so i can just fill with the flush cleaner and water and drive it for a few days and then fill with green?

when you guys say fill the radiator back up are you saying to put the coolant in the resovoir tank and leave the radiator cap open to let the air bubbles out?

Originally Posted by BoostJunki3

when you guys say fill the radiator back up are you saying to put the coolant in the resovoir tank and leave the radiator cap open to let the air bubbles out?

well you have to flush between each step.......but when you refill it first fill up the radiator itself to the top....forget about the overflow for now except to rinse it out.
1)drain original coolant out, rinse, refill with water and get up to temp.
2)drain that out......rinse.......refill with water and cleaner and get up to temp and run that for 4-6 hrs or whatever the cleaner calls for
3) drain that out, rinse, refill with water and get up to temp.
4) drain, rinse and get up to temp, drain it and finally refill with the coolant and water mixture.
PLEASE NOTE: Have the heat on for atleast a couple minutes with each step as this will clean out all coolant and other stuff that is in the heater core and lines for it. you dont have to leave it on at all times, but atleast for five mins for so while it is up to temp.

1st. Go to your parts store and pick up a bottle of Zerex Cooling sys Flush, Prestone flush kit, a new thermostate/gasket and some antifreeze.
2nd. Go home take your Thermostate out and replace thermostate housing it will be ok if it leaks alittle.
3rd Cut your heater hose just before it enter's the firewall and intall the coupler that comes with the prestone flush kit make sure you cut the hose that FLOWS into the heater core, just read the direction that comes in the kit.
4th pour the Zerex cooling sys flush in the radiator and let the engine run for 10 to 15 min... Then let cool..
5th After letting the sys cool contect your garden hose to the fitting you installed in your heater hose, take your radiator cap off and turn on your garden hose, start the motor and turn the heater on HIGH run the motor with your hose on high till clear water flows from your radiator, after that happen turn off the engine and hose.
6th Take off your lower Radiator hose and empty the sys, replace the thermostate with your the new one and a new Gasket.
7th Refill your sys and leaving the cap off of the fitting you installed in the heater hose, when coolent flows from there just place the cap on the fitting top off the radiator and start engine and check for leaks... Just check the coolant leave and fill as needed...

what about this method is that good?

well........they are using a different method ,but each one will work. It sounds like this way would flush the system better(rinse)in a single step, but I dont know if it would clean out everything in the system as good from a cleaning standpoint, Also you have cut your heater core line and leave what sounds like a garden hose t fitting on it. They will both work, do whichever one you want. Neither are hard. It is all personaly preference. Just be sure to make sure it is rinsed very thoroghly either way and you shouldnt have a problem. Just follow the directions on whatever cleaner you get.

alright thanks bro