Cooling system ?

[demarpaint]

Typically I would drain ~ a gallon of AF out of the cooling system each year and replace it with a fresh gallon of properly mixed AF. I've done this for many years with my vehicles and my oldest 1988 cooling system is as clean as the day it came off the line.

Some of the newer vehicles are a PITA to bleed. My question is this: to avoid having to bleed the system the trick would be not to get air into it. Having said that, could I mix up a gallon or so of AF and distilled water, fill the over flow tank, and open the pet-cock keeping the radiator mounted overfill system filled so no air gets into it? Basically AF would be replacing the AF coming out of the radiator. When lets say a gallon is drained, close the drain cock and call it good. I figure if this is done, once a year, or every other year the need for a flush and refill would never occur, or be put off for a very long time?

Just a thought.

 

[FiremarshalRob]

I understand your system, but a little air in the reservoir, or a little air in the system will work itself out in a day or so.
Then you just top off. I don't see where it would hurt anything.

The process you do with coolant is the process I use for my brake fluid. Every 6 months I suck out all the fluid in the reservoir with a large 60cc syringe and a long large bore needle and replace with new brake fluid.

I've never considered doing that with coolant. Most coolant can is good for 5 years or approx 50k miles, so I don't fool with it until then. But I imagine your process would work.

 

[demarpaint]

Thanks, it might be overkill, but I've heard stories and read them where air in a cooling system can cause issues with newer cars. Not sure if that is fact or fiction, but my method would keep all the air out of the radiator and block, even if its done every 2 years I thought it would be easier that flushing and refilling. Again thanks for the reply!

BTW I do something similar to you with the brake fluid, cheap insurance! Does your brake fluid method do the same as bleeding at the wheels to swap brake fluid? That is using the time frame you use?

 

[UNC017]

My experience is that some 80s cars tended to trap air, but later vehicles (particularly the ones with a bleeder valve on the T-stat housing) are pretty simple to fill and burp.

 

[mechtech2]

Most reservoirs won't work that way.
For this type of special flush, simply have the engine off, and fill the radiator as you drain.
Not perfect, but no air.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Most reservoirs won't work that way.
For this type of special flush, simply have the engine off, and fill the radiator as you drain.
Not perfect, but no air.


That's exactly what I was thinking as long as the reservior level is full above where it feeds into the radiator no air will get in. I figure if I remove and replace 1 gallon once a year, or once every other year this cooling system should stay pristine like my 88 E-150 did.

 

[babyjay8495]

http://www.amazon.com/UView-550000-Airli...3826&sr=8-1

works great at getting those air bubbles out.

 

[demarpaint]

Neat tool, I already have a pressure tester though, so I can't justify it. Thanks