Annual Radiator Drain vs. Longer Full Flush

[doitmyself]

I know that some here are doing annual radiator fluid drain and refills to avoid the full flush procedure.

Any opinions on the annual partial drain and refill vs. doing a full flush and refill at the recommended (or shorter) interval? Assume we are talking about long life fluids and NOT changing the chemistry. Reasons?

In my instance, I have a Caravan with G-05 and the manual recommends 5 years/100,000. I did the first FULL flush at 4 years/70,000 with Zerex G-05.

Thanks

 

[BuickGN]

I do a simple radiator drain and refill every year. What came out the first time really surprised me, lots of sand that I'm assuming was from the heads and block castings. I'm glad I didn't wait the recommended 9 years or whatever it is.

The partial drain and fill should eliminate the need to ever flush it, especially doing it every summer. On average, I would think the fluid would be fresher than doing a flush every 5 years.

 

[xtell]

I do yearly drain /refill of the radiator on my 99 Trans Am since 1999. Fluid is clear and no buildup of sludge in the overflow tank. The car has two block drain plugs that are a pain to get at so thats why the yearly drain. Seems to be working out well so far.

 

[benjamming]

I do 30k mile radiator & block drain plug on my '02 Accord V6. This removes 4 qt from the radiator + 1 qt from the block drain plug = 5 quarts. I do this so that I don't ever have to worry about a full flush with city water being introduced to the system. Of course, I could fill up (4) 1-gal jugs of RO water (from house) for a full flush...

I do drain & refills on my GM 3.1L V6 but for "other" reasons that everyone is fully aware of (i.e. LIM gaskets).

 

[Turk]

Which should be done on a 2001 Saturn with 112,000 on Dexcool?

 

[Saturn_Fan]

Originally Posted By: tpitcher
Which should be done on a 2001 Saturn with 112,000 on Dexcool?



I do my Saturn every year. Too easy not to do a full drain and flush. Unhook your radiator hose, unscrew your petcock, and easily remove the 10mm bolt to drain the block. Easy, quick, and cheap!

I just did a full radiator drain, new thermostat and all new rad hoses on my 00 SL on Sunday.

Just so you know, the S series Saturns really aren't prone the Death-cool sludging, so draining ever few years wouldn't hurt it either.

 

[Turk]

Thanks again Saturn_Fan!

I think it's original, but not sure as this is the one I just got. I'll do mine tomorrow or Wednesday, I run it 100 miles a day at 70 MPH.

Bought a bottle of Prestone Super Flush.

 

[Saturn_Fan]

Originally Posted By: tpitcher
Thanks again Saturn_Fan!

I think it's original, but not sure as this is the one I just got. I'll do mine tomorrow or Wednesday, I run it 100 miles a day at 70 MPH.

Bought a bottle of Prestone Super Flush.



No problem! That Prestone Super Flush is the one I used. I like the method highlighted over at Saturnfans.com

The member over there Old_Nuc has a very nice schematic of the entire cooling system. Shows all the hoses in nice detail.

 

[Gary Allan]

Every three years with the full enema. I don't use G-05

 

[sciphi]

Every 2-3 years using whatever Dex-Clone is on sale. This is on my 3800-powered Buick that's getting a ported lower intake manifold and new aluminum-framed lower intake gaskets in 1.5 months.

It went 9 years and 30k on the original Dex, and is only now starting to disintegrate the plastic cooling elbows at 66k and 10 years. The Dex was changed out at ~40k, IIRC.

 

[SuperBusa]

With long life coolant, I think a simple system drain and refill every 2 or 3 years (not every year) would be sufficient.

 

[TurboLuver]

Originally Posted By: Gary Allan
I don't use G-05


Some reason for that Gary?

 

[Big Jim]

Originally Posted By: SuperBusa
With long life coolant, I think a simple system drain and refill every 2 or 3 years (not every year) would be sufficient.


+1

With the cleanliness of the newest coolants, the need for a full flush is almost gone.

The GM products that are rough on Dexcool would be an exception.