radiator flush

[j Schmidty]

Anybody ever do a radiator flush? How did you do it?

I looked at my fluid today, and I suppose brown coolant is kinda bad. I probably should change it.

 

[Todd Z]

Quote:



I would use the matching color from ford... The universal stuff is a good idea, But not in my book..



Also simply draining ( by opening the drain on the bottom of the radiator and removing the cap) and re filling Only will change about 1/2 the fluid... The best way is to use a radiator machine. This will flush and sediment out and replace 100% of the fluid...

Todd Z





On the bottom of the radiator, Under the plastic splash shield, there is a drain. With the truck cold, open the rad cap, open the drain and let it drain... Close the drain, fill with the proper mixture, and then start the truck., Once the thermostat opens the coolant level should drop.. Fill more and replace the cap, and fill the over flow..

Drive the truck for a little bit and re check the levels...

Todd Z

 

[j Schmidty]

Thanks todd. I'm guessing a radiator shop has the machine, right? I just did a quick change. I'll take it to a shop later. Thanks for your help.

 

[steve twyver]

I did it a while back. Bought 4 or 5 gallons of distilled water from the Walmart for about $5 and bought a gallon of Prestone (Expensive) Extended life stuff that mixes with everything. Then drained the antifreeze and added about 1 gallon distilled. Drove it 3 miles to full temp and then drained it again after each time. My math is as follows:



Original mix is 50%

after 1 run/drain with 1 gallon distilled - new content is 25%

after 2nd run/drain/refill content is 12%

after 3 runs/drain/refill content is 6%

after 4 runs/drain/refill content is 3%.

This was good enough for me and close enough to pure water. Then I drained it a final time and added 1 gallon expensive antifreeze to get to 50%. I carefully scrubbed out and drained the overflow. I refilled that with 50-50 mixture. Someone here mentioned replacing the thermostat and I wish I had, but I'm sure it will be OK. You don't want to leave pure water in the block any longer than necessary because it will cause rust quickly. Biggest problem was recyling the old antifreeze. It's considered hazardous waste.

 

[Johnny O]

I do many things myself. Flushing coolant on a newer vehicle is one of those things that just isn't worth my time, so I drop $89.95 every few years at the Valvoline Qwicky-Lube to have them do it with a machine. On my decrepit work van I have a Flush-n-Fill kit, so it takes me maybe 15 minutes. On newer vehicles it's often impossible to put on a flush kit.

Otherwise, it's drain it, fill it with water, run it, drain it, fill it, run it, etc., etc....... Oil on the other hand, I can change faster than the shop does it.