flushing radiator, where? Options

[ShadowFX]

i recently had the lower radiator hose blow, loose clamp, but i replaced it with only water and what little coolant concentrate i had at home for now. i'm replacing it with new coolant/water now, i was thinking i might as well flush it out too (the radiator cap blew too, so the little knob on the bottom of it fell into the radiator) where do i flush the radiator (remove a cap, screw?)? and how much (approx) coolant-water mixture fills the radiator system? (from empty)

This post has been edited by ShadowFX: Mar 19, 2005 - 12:32 AM

[94GT]

I've done mine a couple of times. If you get under your car on the oil pan side, and look at the bottom right side of the radiator facing towards the engine bay, you'll find a little white plastic valve. The first time I did it I had to take the splash guards off the bottom, but after I realized where it was I didn't need to anymore. There's a nipple below it and you just attach a length of rubber hose to it and run it to a bucket. There's even a hole in the splash guard for you to run the tube through. You should only need one jug of the stuff and just mix it with water. The actual amount that the system can handle is listed in the handbook. Good luck!
Oh, and to get the mixture right they sell these little eyedropper tubes at auto parts stores that will tell you when it's mixed right.

This post has been edited by 94GT: Mar 19, 2005 - 11:29 AM

[ShadowFX]

i was thinking more of flushing the radiator and the engine, ie. finding the flushing hole, sticking a hose in there and wash it out first. its just that dads mate (toyota mechanic) hasnt got round to showing us where this is. would what you described above remove the coolant thats in the engine too?

This post has been edited by ShadowFX: Mar 19, 2005 - 10:06 PM

[94GT]

I think you're talking about backflushing it. I just went the simple way of filling it with water, running it, draining it, refilling it with water, running it draining it about 5 times until the water came out clear (no more green). Then I filled it with the antifreeze/water mix. Either way works fine, but I know there's something tricky about the thermostat for backflushing it. If the engine is cold it doesn't open up to let the water through so you never really flush it or something like that. Anyone else know?

[macavely]

well u can be lazy like me when it comes to this.... and just go to a oil change place... and have them do it for u for 30 bucks.... most places have a power flush system... which is the best way to do it..

[ShadowFX]

I think you're talking about backflushing it.  I just went the simple way of filling it with water, running it, draining it, refilling it with water, running it draining it about 5 times until the water came out clear (no more green).  Then I filled it with the antifreeze/water mix.  Either way works fine, but I know there's something tricky about the thermostat for backflushing it.  If the engine is cold it doesn't open up to let the water through so you never really flush it or something like that.  Anyone else know?
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where did you drain it? just remove lower hose? or...? and you said if its cold it wont work, so i just start the car, let it warm up first?

[94GT]

No, don't remove the lower hose. There's a drain valve at the bottom of the radiator. That is the white valve I referred to in my first post on this thread. It drains out of a little plastic nipple at the bottom of the radiator that you can attach a length of 1/4 to 1/2 inch rubber hose to.

[ShadowFX]

ohh that one. so if i just remove that when the car is warm, all the coolant will be removed from the radiator system?

[CanadaCelica]

In the Chilton repair manual, it says there is an engine drain cock to release the coolant from the actual block, although I was not able to locate it when I did my rad flush. The picture was of poor quality and did not help.

Maybe someone else knows what I’m referring to and could possibly know exactly where it is located.

[ShadowFX]

yeah, thats more of what im looking for. anyone?

[94GT]

I couldn't find that either, which is why I just kept flushing water through it to get the engine block cleared.