Issues with coolant flush

[SlyBlackDragon]

I've been battling a badly corroded/dexcool sludged coolant system. Last night I replaced my accessory tensioner and thought I would flush my coolant system while I was at it. I removed the thermostat that was stuck open anyway and began the flush. I backflushed the system until the water ran clear. I then ran Cascade powder/water through it for a few hours and let it sit while I went to the bar. Took it home and drained the radiator and again backflushed until it ran clear. I then put a bottle of Peak Performance radiator cleaner in it with the intention on letting it run while I napped for the necessary 3-6 hours. I filled the radiator with water and began trying to burp the air out of the system.

I kept filling until I no longer got bubbles at the radiator and then opened the bleeder valve on the thermostat housing. I got plenty of air coming out, but never could get any liquid to come out. I tried for nearly an hour, squeezing the top radiator hose, etc, but to no avail. With the car running a little hot at around 200 degrees and the fact that there was still air in the system, I didn't feel comfortable letting it run unattended.

What am I missing here? I figured without the T-stat it would run really cold like it did while I had the Cascade flush in it.

I have to get this taken care of tomorrow morning before heading to work, as it's supposed to drop below 30 degrees so I need to get coolant back in it.

Your thoughts?

Also, do I need to replace the thermostat every time I do a flush? I think its going to take a huge number of flushes before I get this system near clean and am going to go through a small fortune in coolant and thermostats

[patori]

Is this for a 97 GTP?

[Fivefingerdeathpunch]

No you don't replace it everytime.

Try filling the LIM with coolant first, then putting the thermostat back in and then filling the rad with coolant.

[SlyBlackDragon]

Yes, 97 GTP .

Thanks, FFDP. That did it. Got the bleeder valve shooting a steady stream.

Sucks to know there's no way I got it all out, so I'll be doing this again in a few months. I'm going to get really good at it

[Scottydoggs]

when you took out the t stat was it indeed stuck open? if not you may have a bad water pump, or clogged heater core.

when you were flushing it were you letting it flush out the top hose? to confirm that water is pumping?

are the heater core hoses getting hot?

all things to check out.

[prixfreak]

On a related note I have an 02 gtp with endless problems with the coolant system. I know the water pumps ok and I've replaced the thermostat and ects. Now it's running hot and the heat just blows cold air. We think there's a clog but I had the coolant flushed a year ago. So try to flush it again or replace the radiator?

[Explicit_Spade]

On a related note I have an 02 gtp with endless problems with the coolant system. I know the water pumps ok and I've replaced the thermostat and ects. Now it's running hot and the heat just blows cold air. We think there's a clog but I had the coolant flushed a year ago. So try to flush it again or replace the radiator?

Are you running 50/50 jugs or some combination of concentrate?