Flushing The Radiator.

[94GTLaserRC]

I finally realized that it's been almost 3 years since Vib and I put in my Fluidyne. I have drained it partially a few times to do some work, and refilled it, but never did a thorough flush/clean on it.

What is the best method for cleaning/flushing/cleansing the radiator?

Any kits, chemicals, etc to buy or use?

Thanks
RC

 

[95CobraMike]

subscribing

 

[wytstang]

Just pull the drain plug and remove the lower hose, let it run dry. Refill with distilled h2o 80/20 mix and run until all the air bubbles are out. If you want to drain the block as well you either have to have a "pet ****" (or something like that) installed to drain the h2o from there, Or punch out one of the freeze plugs and replace it.

 

[VibrantRedGT]

Drain rad, remove both the upper and lower hoses on the radiator. Take your garden hose and jam it into the upper or lower hole on the rad. Turn the hose on HIGH and blast it clean. Switch back and forth (upper, lower) with the garden hose. Leave the drain open. I never use chemicals just plain ol water.

 

[rgs]

ya i just let the car run with it draining and the hose in the rad, and left it running till all that was draining was water, soo no more antifreeze. i used a mix of one bottle of this stuff called "water wetter" and the rest water. i have to use this water wetter stuff as part of the regulations at my local track.

 

[S/CBlack95GT]

You can drain the block by removing the threaded plugs on either side of the block. They are right above the oil pan.

 

[Swarzkopf]

Heh...if you don't strip them. The block drain plugs can be a pain in the ass.

 

[StangRider1]

Coolant leak, round 2

Hey, I gotta ? for you guys. Is there a block drain plug or a freeze plug anywhere near the left front corner of the block? Mine's all wet there b/c it puked coolant all over the parking lot at my Vet's office yesterday :damnit: (Fortunately it's the low-tox stuff with a bitter taste added to it to keep pets from drinking the stuff), but I can't find a leak. I just replaced all (and I do mean ALL) of the cooling system components about a month ago, and everything I replaced looks good. The only thing I haven't replaced yet is the temp sensor. Anybody got any words of wisdom??

Kerry

 

[1TRIKGT]

I bought a flush kit from auto zone for like $10 and it tells you what too do, along with the recomended cleaner that is supposed to break up any grime and residue that has built up in the system.

 

[94GTLaserRC]

I figured the part with the hoses, and running water through it.. The 2 MAIN questions I have (already answered individually, but no concensus yet) are:

1. Are the Flush kits helpful and/or needed? (I know Joe says not)

2. Is it harful to let the car run for about 5-6 minutes while the hose water is circulating through it?


Thanks again for the replies.
RC

 

[GRGT1994]

Hey, I gotta ? for you guys. Is there a block drain plug or a freeze plug anywhere near the left front corner of the block? Mine's all wet there b/c it puked coolant all over the parking lot at my Vet's office yesterday :damnit: (Fortunately it's the low-tox stuff with a bitter taste added to it to keep pets from drinking the stuff), but I can't find a leak. I just replaced all (and I do mean ALL) of the cooling system components about a month ago, and everything I replaced looks good. The only thing I haven't replaced yet is the temp sensor. Anybody got any words of wisdom??

Kerry

Ya, start your own thread with this question. You're gonna get ignored or only a response or two with your question buried in this thread (even though related).

Other than that, I can't help you with answering your question.

 

[94-302-vert]

I am going to day no and yes.

No they are not overly useful (at least the liquid flush stuff). I had my WP off so I used that hose to force water through the block until it ran clean (did same to radiator) and after that I buttoned it all back up and did the flush stuff. the water came out basically clean...

2. as long as the car is not vaporlocked you will be fine. Just make sure the engine does not overheat (have to babysit it for a while).

 

[VibrantRedGT]

I figured the part with the hoses, and running water through it.. The 2 MAIN questions I have (already answered individually, but no concensus yet) are:

1. Are the Flush kits helpful and/or needed? (I know Joe says not)

2. Is it harful to let the car run for about 5-6 minutes while the hose water is circulating through it?


Thanks again for the replies.
RC

I wouldn't use any flush kits. If you want the coolant out of the motor then start the car for about 20 seconds with the hoses off. All the coolant in the motor will exit. Grab the garden hose and jam it into a hole in the motor and blast away. It will also exit. Take the coil wire off and bump the motor a few times and the block should be all clear now. Hook everything back up and do a 80/20 mix then add your water wetter. Burp the system with the heat on HIGH /normal like we've done in the past. With all the air out you should be all set.

 

[94GTLaserRC]

Thanks guys..

Joe, the 80/20 is 80-water, right? We've been using 50/50, but I want to go to more h2o since the cooling is better, and we shouldnt have to worry about the cold aspect of it.

RC

 

[VibrantRedGT]

80 water, 20 coolant then water wetter.

 

[95stangGT]

I had my temp sensor out the other day so I just stuck the garden hose into the radiator and ran it until only water came out of the temp sensor hole