My GF's car is 5 years and almost 60,000 miles. The owner's manual indicates that a radiator flush must be performed at 60 months. Around here, the going rate for such a procedure is ~$80. I'd rather save that money. If I've changed my car's oil, how difficult would a radiator flush be? Online, I found a few different ways of going about it, but the simplest method consists of draining the radiator, filling it with the flush, topping it off with distilled water, letting the engine run with the heater at full blast for about 15 minutes, and then draining and refilling the radiator with equal parts antifreeze and water after the engine has cooled. Oh, and I have a couple bottles of SuperTech prediluted antifreeze (apparently manufactured by PEAK) that have been sitting in our garage for, I dunno, maybe 2 years? Is it safe to use this stuff? So... whaddya think?
1. you should use fresh coolant. some engines require special mixes (especially mopar products). 2. you need a backflush kit to get all the major gunk out. eHow has a good tutorial: How to Backflush Cooling Systems | eHow.com
The worst part about a radiator flush is finding a place that will take the coolant. A radiator flush is very simple, get a bucket, remove or loosen drain cock on radiator, let drain. Close everything up and then refill with coolant/antifreeze following the directions on the container. You can also go the extra mile and get radiator flush fluid and follow the directions on the container. Total cost, $10-$15 depending on how much anti freeze costs and if you have to pay to dispose of the old stuff.
deliciouscake, I'm not gonna use the reverse flush method. However, I found out I shouldn't use that SuperTech stuff. Here's what I need: Valvoline.com > Products > Antifreeze Radiator Products > Antifreeze > Zerex G-05® Antifreeze / Coolant ivwshane, that's just refilling it with fresh coolant, not flushing it. Any reason I shouldn't do a full flush?
Using the actual radiator flushing products gets rid of any gunk build up, it takes about 20-30 minutes to do (usually just running the car until it gets warm and then draining the fluid). So for the amount of time and work you might as well use the flush products.
Since you live in IL chances are the drain cock on the radiator might be a little corroded and whatnot from winters here... don't break that shit off. Go slow when loosening it, if it doesn't look like it's going to come without breaking, pull the lower hose off instead.
I forgot to ask, how do I get rid of air bubbles trapped inside the loop? Will they escape through the reservoir tank? nidex, thanks for the tip.
Once you fill it and run the car for a several minutes, check the levels again and refill as necessary. Usually it takes a couple of top offs. You don't need to worry about air bubbles, it's not like you need to bleed the hoses like you do your breaks.
I see no reason you can't do it yourself. I've never ever paid to have that done except when I had a radiator replaced, it was part of the install service. If you can change the oil, the next logical step to learn to flush that radiator. As Nidex said, carefull with that turncock, you don't want to snap it off.
Actually every time you replace coolant technically you're supposed to bleed the system, a large air bubble could cause a blown head gasket (unlikely but still possible). Some cars have a little bleeder valve on the thermostat housing, but since you probably don't know where that is, it'd be easier to let the car run with the radiator cap off; get it to normal operating temperature, have the heat on full blast, keep topping off the radiator until it's steady and you don't see any more bubbles. How long depends on the car, GMs can take a small eternity to bleed.
X2 on bleeding the cooling system. Not doing so on some cars, especially older cars, can allow the coolant to boil and cause the car to overheat down the road.
nidex, is it dangerous to run it with the radiator cap off? According to the intarwebz, the bleeder valve is somewhere below the radiator cap (I assume that's where the thermostat housing is). I think Advanced Auto Parts and AutoZone take it as well.
Be careful when bleeding air out of the system. Watch the engine temp carefully, making sure you do not let it get hot. Make sure the motor doesn't start getting unreasonably hot (pretty easy to tell from the radiating heat from the motor itself). I have seen cars overheat from air pockets, and the gage never indicated anything (was in the air pocket!). Oh, and you shouldn't have to worry about spilling antifreeze in your driveway. It dilutes easily with water. Just make sure you get a good rinse, as it is severely poisonous to animals. A few tablespoons can kill a dog. As long as it is diluted until you can't see it anymore, you will be OK. ~Will Courtier~
I'd make sure your cars coolant system isn't a closed pressurized one, if it is then don't take off the cap and there is no need to bleed it (my car uses a pressured system). Posted via Mobile Device
What you want to do is fill the radiator up as far as it will go and then start the car when cold with the radiator cap off. You will see the level drop a good amount, then continue to fill the radiator some more until it starts splashing out the throat. Put the radiator cap back on and fill the reservoir. This is called burping the coolant system. Make sure you use the type and blend of anti-freeze for your car.
Done! I got lazy and didn't actually flush the system; I just drained it and refilled it. Everything seemed fine when I took it for a drive around the block. I told my GF to keep an eye on the temp gauge on her way to and from work. I'm waiting for the engine to cool off to bleed the air.
When you refill the system run the engine AND THE HEATER for about 15 minutes. The heater core can get air stuck in it pretty easily.
When you bleed it, run the engine and open the bleed valve. The system is bled when you get a solid unbroken stream of coolant coming out.
LOL! I ran the car with the heater on full blast and the radiator cap off before taking it for a drive. I'm gonna bleed the air tomorrow after my GF gets home from work and the engine's still hot. Where can I find a tube for the bleeder valve? I don't wanna make another mess; I already spilled coolant all over when I was emptying the reservoir tank. I had to pour a gallon of water on the floor to dilute and wash that shit off. For the most part, it was easy. Whatever problems I had were due to my inexperience and/or clumsiness.
