Draining radiator, Any syggestions? Options

[njccmd2002]

My radiator fluid is trash, i need to replace. What is the best way to do it. Should the car be cold. hot. Running, off. I need to flush all the water of my car...

[x_itchy_b_x]

theres a drain plug on the bottom passenger side of the radiator undo that and let it all drain. then when you think its all done draining squeeze the top rubber coolant hose and more coolant should come out. that about it. Temp doesnt matter, id rather do it with cool coolant than boiling hot coolant

[6strngs]

I did it while the car is cool. there is just this little plastic wing thing on the bottom of the radiator on the passenger side. just unscrew that (I think it can be done with just your fingers) and it'll all pour out. afterwards, I took a garden hose and sprayed through the radiator cap until nothing but water came out the bottom (no coolant). then just put the drain plug back in, empty out the overflow tank (a couple bolts hold it in place), then fill both the radiator and overflow tank to full. start the car with the radiator cap off and the level should drop in the radiator. wait a minute, shut the car off, then fill it again, then squeeze the upper radiator hose and bubbles should come out, then the level should be lower again so you fill it back to the top again and then you're done.

This post has been edited by 6strngs: Jul 6, 2007 - 6:22 PM

[NaderG]

i want to do the same thing , how many quarts of coolant are in there ?? and where should i dispose the old collant ??

[6strngs]

i want to do the same thing , how many quarts of coolant are in there ?? and where should i dispose the old collant ??

I went out and bought 2 gallons of the pre-mixed stuff and ended up using 1 and a half or so. A local recycling center would probably take the old coolant, and I've heard that fire stations take it too. You should call first though.

[NaderG]

i want to do the same thing , how many quarts of coolant are in there ?? and where should i dispose the old collant ??

I went out and bought 2 gallons of the pre-mixed stuff and ended up using 1 and a half or so. A local recycling center would probably take the old coolant, and I've heard that fire stations take it too. You should call first though.

any suggestion for collecting the drained coolant ? ( my catch pan is too small )

[6strngs]

i want to do the same thing , how many quarts of coolant are in there ?? and where should i dispose the old collant ??

I went out and bought 2 gallons of the pre-mixed stuff and ended up using 1 and a half or so. A local recycling center would probably take the old coolant, and I've heard that fire stations take it too. You should call first though.

any suggestion for collecting the drained coolant ? ( my catch pan is too small )

I got a car-wash bucket at Kragen for less than $5

[NaderG]

i looked at buckets and they are a bit huge , i dont think i can lift the car ( or just the front ) all the way above the bucket , also how am i supposed to take the bucket to a recycling center ??!

[celiracer]

If you have an oil drain pan thats medium size you should be able to fit it all in there. Thats what i used when i changed out my radiator.

[DeW_H0e_GT]

i read about somethin on the 5gc chiltons about a drain plug/bolt on the 5s block that releases water...can any1 confirm this if it applies to our 5sfe???

[6strngs]

i read about somethin on the 5gc chiltons about a drain plug/bolt on the 5s block that releases water...can any1 confirm this if it applies to our 5sfe???

I read this in my hayne's manual too. but I couldn't find the plug...

[NaderG]

If you have an oil drain pan thats medium size you should be able to fit it all in there. Thats what i used when i changed out my radiator.

my catch pan is 15 quarts .... i think thats enough

This post has been edited by NaderG: Jul 11, 2007 - 3:15 PM

[SlowCelica94]

The garden hose is a great idea but runs inpurityies thro the cooling system which will lead to corrison.

The absolute best way to do it to take the car to a shop with a Wynn's cooling system flusher. No mesh and all clean coolant and water ran thro the system

[NaderG]

The garden hose is a great idea but runs inpurityies thro the cooling system which will lead to corrison.

The absolute best way to do it to take the car to a shop with a Wynn's cooling system flusher. No mesh and all clean coolant and water ran thro the system

ture, but it costs arround 80 $ .... a bit too much for my budget

[njccmd2002]

go to a carwash, get yourself an extra gallon, when youre done draining let half a gallon under pressure, though a hose, to clean anything, o maybe more. Ive seen this done befre, thats what im planning on doing, unless its ilegal to do it in a carwash. anybody knows?

[NaderG]

go to a carwash, get yourself an extra gallon, when youre done draining let half a gallon under pressure, though a hose, to clean anything, o maybe more. Ive seen this done befre, thats what im planning on doing, unless its ilegal to do it in a carwash. anybody knows?

i think it would be illegal , antifreeze is extremely toxic and needs to be handeled by authorized recycling centers

[SlowCelica94]

go to a carwash, get yourself an extra gallon, when youre done draining let half a gallon under pressure, though a hose, to clean anything, o maybe more. Ive seen this done befre, thats what im planning on doing, unless its ilegal to do it in a carwash. anybody knows?

No offence, but this is a horrible idea. Not only is it very illegal, it's not mechanical smart.

[njccmd2002]

ok, thanks for the advice. Guess ill recycle....

[Komail]

Ok, so I just flushed the fluid in my ST and it took like under a gallon to fill it back up...what did I do wrong? engine still feels hott...

[presure2]

did you drain all the coolant out of the engine? hoses?
or did you just loosen the drain plug?