Neglected coolant system with cheap coolant needs a flush

[zulf200]

I remove the block drain whenever I'm changing the coolant. On my 2001 BMW 330Ci I'd get a coolant shower!

Get a clear hose from home depot etc make sure its larger than the boss where the bolt/plug screws into

Use a hot spoke to punch a hole in it and slide your 1/4 extension in it and put a socket on it, slide the hose over the boss and undo the bolt with a ratchet, put the end of the hose into a bucket or a
Jug.

Fish out the plug/bolt from the bucket/jug.

Or jam a funnel there with a hose on its tail and guide the liquid to where you want to go.

Ive used both and i prefer the punctured hose method, makes clean and quick changes. Or be like my buddy and use a kiddie pool to catch the coolant.

 

[zulf200]

If it was me, first citric acid, 1kg/2lbs for the whole system. Run for an hour. Do a flush with fresh water, drain and repeat with a dishwasher tab or two - the alkaline detergent will neutralize the acid and the surfactants will degrease the system without foaming too much. Repeat with repeated freshwater flushes until it it doesn’t smell like Cascade/Finish and there’s no foam. Refill with fresh coolant(I’d do G-05 or Peak 10X/Final Charge Pro Series, but Prestone Cor-Guard should be OK) and DI/distilled water.

One caveat with that much strong acid mix is that it can eat away some metal bits.

Always err on the weaker side unless the engine has to come apart on a stand and you are doing your due diligence to flush it out beforehand.