Coolant System Flushing

[chris8105]

I accidently added some green antifreeze to my 01 GA GT 3.4 today after I fixed a small leak. I didnt realize what I did until my way into work. I know that its a bad thing to mix the green and red antifreeze so I am going to have to flush it. I am going to call tomorrow to see how much it will cost to have it flushed. If its to expensive I am going to do it myself.

If I do it myself I was wondering whats the best way to do it. I have heard of a kit that plumbs into the hose going into the heater core and you run it through that way, another way is to fill it up with cleaner and run it, and also running water through the radiator from the bottom to top. Whats the best way to go about this?

Also will the t-stat have to be removed?

I guess the only option is to put Dexcool back in it as I have heard that if you use anything else you are going to have waterpump problems and who knows what else.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

[graysky]

I'd like to know too. My '01 has some rust-looking debris in it and I'd like to drain, fill up with water, run, then drain again. Is it as simple as removing a line from the bottom of the radiator and draining it into a bucket?

Also, where does one dispose of used fluid?

[crazy Jim]

I had one of the oil change plcaces to it for me and they charged 60U$

[xeroinfinity]

When the two coolants are mixed it will turn to a gel type substance that wont flow very well in your cooling system.

The best and quickest way to Flush the system would be to remove the thermostat(see below).
So you dont have to wait for the engine to warm up everytime you flush/rise it out.

I typically dont use those kits, IMO it just adds more areas that could potentually leak.

If you have rust in your system then you have been running it with not enough antifreeze in your mix.
Should be At least 50/50. Best is to test or have it tested so you know what temps you are protected down too.

On the Flushing,
Usually the drain wont open or breaks, you can use the lower hose to drain the coolant in a bucket or something so you can recycle the coolant.
Most(but not all) Oil change places or Autostores should take the old for free.

I'd use at least one bottle of Radiator flush.
Two if thiers excesive rust or oil in the cooling system.

Wont hurt to let the coolant do its thing for extra time, an hour or more wont hurt.
Just DONT drive around with the stuff in your system because it can overheat or damge things that may be weak in your system(radiators,heatercore).

Then rise is 5-6times and drain everything good before adding the new coolant.
You can use the green coolant, I have used it before and didint/havnt had any problems with it.

Dex covers more of a temp range due to sodium bonded to the glyco. Just like salt water it boils at a higher point and freezes at a lower point. A 10 deg differance from the green coolant.

Thermostat Removal procedure.

First disconnect the battery and drain the coolant.
Removing the thermostat on the V6,
-Remove the air intake tube and air box.
-Might want to remove the heat shield on the crossover pipe under the throtle body(TB).
-You will need a 13mm for the thermostat housing bolts.
-Top one remove all the way out.
-The bottom can jsut be loosend enough to pull the housing out and up.
-The thermostat goes with the spring into the engine when reinstalling.

On the 4cylinder(you might not want to remove yours),
-Remove the exhaust heat shield.
-Raise the vehicle and support on jack stands.
-Remove the engine to transaxle suport brace.
-Next Disconnect the lower radiator hose from the coolant inlet pipe.
-Remove the coolant inlet pipe to oil pan stud,
then carefully seperate the coolant inlet pipe from the thermostat housing.
-Slide the pipe to the right of the trany to get it out.
*Thermostat goes the same as the V6, spring into the engine.