DIY Coolant Flush

[Spetz]

Hi guys,

My parking spot is in an underground building garage and I do not have access to running water.

Would adding a radiator flush, draining, adding distilled water, draining, repeat and then adding coolant be a sufficient flush or is it really essential to have water running into the engine and letting it run out?

The cooling system seems clean but it has just been sitting for a long time

 

[WhizkidTN]

I never use the chemical flushes and I never use water from a hose in doing my flush. Only use distilled water (super cheap as well). I do a drain/fill, let it get hot (make sure you turn the heater on full as well) and repeat about three times noting how clear the last drain is. I then drain again and then refill the the proper coolant. You likely will have to "burp" the air bubbles out and watch the level over the next few drive cycles. Remember to suck out and wash out the coolant expansion tank, the replace with 50/50 coolant as well.

 

[Spetz]

Thanks for that.

And as far as draining is concerned what is the best way to do it?
Disconnecting the lower radiator hose?

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: Spetz
Thanks for that.

And as far as draining is concerned what is the best way to do it?
Disconnecting the lower radiator hose?
the only way to get all the water out is to pull the block drain plugs.

 

[Drosselmier]

Why is it necessary to flush with Distilled Water ? I have soft water in my home.
Thanks.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: Drosselmier
Why is it necessary to flush with Distilled Water ?


It isn't.

 

[Trav]

If you have soft tap water there is no problem using it from the hose, some places have very hard water that can clog a radiator or heater core in no time.
You can get a good idea of how the water will act in the system by looking inside your kettle, its there is nothing in there its fine if it has white buildup or scale don't use it.

Here in this part of MA the water is very soft with very low mineral content and no buildup at all but in some parts of Germany for example the buildup of lime is so severe you need to use an acid product to remove it from kettles and appliances, you would not want that in your car cooling system or battery.
When there is any doubt use distilled water.
I have a whole hose filter system installed with particle and carbon elements combine that with soft water and its 100% okay to use but don't use it from a system that uses salt for water softening.

 

[raytseng]

You said you were in a parking garage. What containers do you have available to properly dispose of the approximately 5gallons+ of waste liquid you are going to produce. You are going to bring it for proper disposal right?

If you have no cooling system problems, and you are not a shop with easy access to dispose of coolant, I'd just do a single drain, and then fill with coolant or (distilled+coolant if it's not premix). Skip over the repeated water "flushes".

If you feel the coolant is still dirty, just do the same simple drain fill again just at a shorter interval then specified.

 

[SHOZ]

I use a citric acid flush and leave it in a whole day before the actual flush.

Around here it is perfectly acceptable to dump antifreeze into the sanitary sewer. I just generally dump it on my gravel drive.

 

[SHOZ]

I use a citric acid flush and leave it in a whole day before the actual flush. Then fill with distilled or demineralized water and bring it up to temp. Dump again and then fill with a gallon of 70% followed by topping off with 50%.

Around here it is perfectly acceptable to dump antifreeze into the sanitary sewer. I just generally dump it on my gravel drive.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Just drain and fill. Also, the Lisle funnel is awesome

If you buy concentrate coolant, mix it with water before pouring it in the radiator!

 

[greasegunn]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Just drain and fill. Also, the Lisle funnel is awesome

If you buy concentrate coolant, mix it with water before pouring it in the radiator!


Love that Lisle funnel!

 

[Leo99]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Just drain and fill. Also, the Lisle funnel is awesome

If you buy concentrate coolant, mix it with water before pouring it in the radiator!


I don't flush. Just drain and fill.

 

[mjoekingz28]

This Lisle funnel....is it for filling or draining?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Originally Posted By: mjoekingz28
This Lisle funnel....is it for filling or draining?


for filling

 

[Boss302fan]

Drain and fill for me...

 

[Alfred_B]

I do drain and fill only. Do it once a year and you will be good.