Coolant Flush using a Chemical Additive

[AKhan87]

2000 Toyota Celica GT

bought it at 129k

I have always done coolant flushes with about 10 D & R with distilled water then using 50% full strength coolant and topping off with distilled water, as needed.

I'm wondering if a coolant flush chemical is a good idea, being that my OEM coolant temperature sensor failed (it was black instead of the bronze/gold original color), I used an after market sensor to no avail, found a used one from the junkyard in good working condition and used it on my car. My assumption would be that it was the original coolant at 129k/15 years old(was red in color), and this caused the OEM coolant temperature sensor to corrode?

go the 10 D & R distilled water route?

or do a chemical coolant flush like the peak radiator super cleaner and flush, following the directions on the bottle, drive 3-6 hours at operating temperature and then follow this by 9 D & R with distilled water?

 

[aa1986]

If you are anyway prepared to do 10 D&R with distilled, then making the first one a chemical flush is certainly worthwhile and no extra effort.

What is your D&R quantity and system capacity? I ask because you could be getting very little return for your time and money after a few D&R's.

 

[JHZR2]

Sure. Citric acid is the appropriate chemical per MB, so Id use it.

Instructions:

http://dieselgiant.com/mercedes_citrus_flush.htm

If using a chemical, which is only do if I have reason to believe that there is fouling or residue, I'd want to do it once and then ensure the system is super clean before putting coolant in.

What problem are you trying to solve? I'm all for topping up chemistry, but Youre doing a lot more than needed.

 

[Merkava_4]

It's better to pre-mix the coolant with distilled water 50/50 before pouring it into the system. It's also better to keep a jug of pre-mix on hand for top-offs.

I have no clue what 10 D & R is.

 

[AKhan87]

Originally Posted By: aa1986
If you are anyway prepared to do 10 D&R with distilled, then making the first one a chemical flush is certainly worthwhile and no extra effort.

What is your D&R quantity and system capacity? I ask because you could be getting very little return for your time and money after a few D&R's.

system capacity: 5.9 qtz
D & R quantity:~3 qtz

distilled water = 10 x 0.88 = 8.88 + tax
peak long life = 9.00 + tax

I'm driving around (home to college, home to work vice versa) so time isn't an issue, as all it takes is the removal of the lower radiator hose and drain...then raise the front of my celica to properly bleed the air and refill.

 

[AKhan87]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
It's better to pre-mix the coolant with distilled water 50/50 before pouring it into the system. It's also better to keep a jug of pre-mix on hand for top-offs
why? I don't understand your logic, 5.9/2 = 2.95 qt, use an empty coolant container to fill to the ~3 qt line(I have a light brown one which light easily passes through to read the level), this gives you 50% full strength coolant, topping off with subsequent distilled water until reaching the "full" mark on the radiator over flow bottle will ensure a proper 50/50 mix and also allow a complete flush using distilled water in multiple drain and refills.

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I have no clue what 10 D & R is.
10 Drain and subsequent refills

 

[aa1986]

Here's the number of drain and refills and % original fluid remaining.

You really don't need to do 10 D&R's.

1 - 49%
2 - 24%
3 - 12%
4 - 6%
5 - 3%
6 - 1.4%
7 - 0.7%
8 - 0.34%
9 - 0.17%
10 - 0.08%

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: 01_celica_gt
why? I don't understand your logic, 5.9/2 = 2.95 qt, use an empty coolant container to fill to the ~3 qt line(I have a light brown one which light easily passes through to read the level), this gives you 50% full strength coolant, topping off with subsequent distilled water until reaching the "full" mark on the radiator over flow bottle will ensure a proper 50/50 mix and also allow a complete flush using distilled water in multiple drain and refills.


Man alive, I've never seen someone take something so simple and make it so complicated.

Life is complicated enough without doing what you're doing with the coolant.

 

[aa1986]

No, his approach makes total sense.

He wants to drain and refill with distilled to clean the system. After x drain and fills with distilled, the system will be 100% distilled water.

He now needs to get to a 50:50 system mix. So when he does his final drain, he needs to add 50% of the system capacity with 100% concentrated coolant.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: aa1986
After x drain and fills with distilled, the system will be 100% distilled water.


100% distilled water for any length of time will burn the water pump up.

You need some coolant to lube the water pump bearing.

 

[aa1986]

Each drain and fill reduces the coolant %. So there will still be coolant to lubricate the pump until you do a lot of drain and fills.

What minimum % coolant concentration do you recommend to keep the pump lubricated?

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: aa1986
What minimum % coolant concentration do you recommend to keep the pump lubricated?


I keep it real simple. I use an iced tea gallon jug to mix the coolant in because I can see through it and the plastic is a lot more durable than water jugs. My favorite mixing container is a Brisk iced tea jug with the letters Brisk molded in with the plastic vertically. You look at the front of the bottle and you will see:

B
R
I
S
K

Right smack in the middle of the letter I is a 1/2 gallon.

I always mix Dexcool 50/50 with distilled water.

I don't drain and fill 10 times. I drain and fill ONE TIME per year. Simple as that.

 

[djb]

10 drains and refills is excessive and wasteful.

Your view shouldn't be that you need to remove every last trace of the old coolant. That's not going to happen. And you aren't going to be able to remove all of the residue from the cooling system.

Your view should be that you are refreshing the additive package, and balancing the glycol concentration after any intermediate top-off.

 

[AKhan87]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: aa1986
After x drain and fills with distilled, the system will be 100% distilled water.


100% distilled water for any length of time will burn the water pump up.

You need some coolant to lube the water pump bearing.

Wait a minute, modern water pump bearings don't require lubrication.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-...on-pump-coolant

 

[joegreen]

I use citric acid i buy off of ebay in my car and truck. You would not believe the stuff that comes out.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: aa1986
What minimum % coolant concentration do you recommend to keep the pump lubricated?


I keep it real simple. I use an iced tea gallon jug to mix the coolant in because I can see through it and the plastic is a lot more durable than water jugs. My favorite mixing container is a Brisk iced tea jug with the letters Brisk molded in with the plastic vertically. You look at the front of the bottle and you will see:

B
R
I
S
K

Right smack in the middle of the letter I is a 1/2 gallon.

I always mix Dexcool 50/50 with distilled water.

I don't drain and fill 10 times. I drain and fill ONE TIME per year. Simple as that.


Can it be diet Brisk iced tea or does it maybe to be regular? Lemon flavored being citric might help also.