Flushing radiator question

[Dtowncats]

I will be flushing my radiator this weekend and I want to know what all I will need. Is there anything else I should do while I am doing this?

 

[HISSIN50]

i like to remove the t-stat to flush, so tossin in a new one is something i would do. and since the stat housing is off and the system is empty, it is a good time to renew hoses.

good luck.

 

[Curse]

i like to remove the t-stat to flush, so tossin in a new one is something i would do. and since the stat housing is off and the system is empty, it is a good time to renew hoses.

good luck.

That’s pretty much it.

 

[Dtowncats]

Well the hoses are good so just a t-stat then. What degree t-stat should I get? And what brand?

 

[HISSIN50]

knowing a little about the car helps. I would either keep the stat stock or run a 180*. i personally like Mr Gasket stats.

good luck.

 

[tjm73]

i like to remove the t-stat to flush, so tossin in a new one is something i would do. and since the stat housing is off and the system is empty, it is a good time to renew hoses.

good luck.

Yeah that's pretty much it. Just be sure to dispose of the old fluid properly since it is poisoness/toxic.

Hoses only cost like 35 for the 3 (upper, lower and manifold to pump elbow hose) you would need. Might be worth considering.

A good trick I saw in a magazine once was to use a shop vac to suck out the coolant. Supposed to make less mess.

Another tip. Any t-stat is fine, but test it in pot of water on the stove with a thermometer before you install it. Takes like less than 3 minutes. If it's a 180 and it opens too soon or too late, you'll know by keeping an eye on the themometer.

 

[Curse]

I say stick to the Mr Gasket 180* stats those things are awesome, I use a cheap on once and it gave me all kinds of problems. Good luck

 

[TheUser]

I've heard the flushing stuff might not be the best method if your radiator is old. If you have dirt/rust filling holes in the radiator, the flushing stuff could loosen the stuff (which is it's job), and then you'd have the hole. That's what the guy at autozone told me one time and I thought I'd pass it along for you to consider. I rinse mine out w/ water and call it good

 

[Dtowncats]

I've heard the flushing stuff might not be the best method if your radiator is old. If you have dirt/rust filling holes in the radiator, the flushing stuff could loosen the stuff (which is it's job), and then you'd have the hole. That's what the guy at autozone told me one time and I thought I'd pass it along for you to consider. I rinse mine out w/ water and call it good

Isn't that basically flushing it out? I will be draining the block and the radiator, then flushing it out with a garden hose until it comes out clear. Then filling it up with new fluid.

 

[HISSIN50]

to some, flushing means using a chemical agent and/or agitation to clean out the radiator. coolant companies make products, and some folks use things like CLR.

What James does it what I do also - i dont want to unclog things. If i need a new radiator, I need a new one.

my two cents.

 

[criticman]

Yeah, the cleaner works very well...but it also resulted in me buying and installing a new water pump (along with a new radiator, hoses, t-stat).

So if it is pretty old, go with just a garden hose. If it is new, a chemical cleaner might not be a bad idea.

 

[Dtowncats]

Yeah, the cleaner works very well...but it also resulted in me buying and installing a new water pump (along with a new radiator, hoses, t-stat).

So if it is pretty old, go with just a garden hose. If it is new, a chemical cleaner might not be a bad idea.

Nope, 130k miles on it. Not using any chemicals. But I have a bigger problem now. http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=546535