coolent flush

what is the best "do it your self" way to flush out ALL the old antifreeze from a 95' aurora...i was concidering just draining the radiator and resivor tank and adding 50/50 mix of antifreeze..2nd part of question,can the antifreeze just be poured into the revisor tank to refill??top of radiator is completely covered...thanks :screwy:

first of all I am no expert..........but from reading here it is best (and cheapest) to use a regular garden hose and run it trough the reservior (sp?) tank till it runs clear out of the drain plug and then just refil with 50/50 mix. It fills from the reservoir so do not uncover the radiator.

first of all I am no expert..........but from reading here it is best (and cheapest) to use a regular garden hose and run it trough the reservior (sp?) tank till it runs clear out of the drain plug and then just refil with 50/50 mix. It fills from the reservoir so do not uncover the radiator.
thanks much for the reply..it was very helpful

There is no traditional radiator cap on the Aurora. All coolant is added through the resevoir (it's an active part of the coolant system as opposed to the traditional overflow-like system in other vehicles). However, as with traditional cooling systems there is a drain-plug located on the bottom of the radiator itself (driver's side as I recall). So, using the petcock you can drain the radiator itself and flush the system as described above in the manner with which you might have done a more traditional coolant system. (As mentioned, don't waste your time uncovering the radiator from under the hood. There is no access to either fill or drain it.)

The easiest way to do it is to pony up $90 and let the dealer do it. I dont mind working on my cars but there is a point where you have to ask yourself if the trouble and mess are worth it.


BKVic

There is no traditional radiator cap on the Aurora. All coolant is added through the resevoir (it's an active part of the coolant system as opposed to the traditional overflow-like system in other vehicles). However, as with traditional cooling systems there is a drain-plug located on the bottom of the radiator itself (driver's side as I recall). So, using the petcock you can drain the radiator itself and flush the system as described above in the manner with which you might have done a more traditional coolant system. (As mentioned, don't waste your time uncovering the radiator from under the hood. There is no access to either fill or drain it.)
thanks much for the reply....one more question..after flushing ALL old coolent till it runs clear,should you add 100% antifreeze into the revisor since only water remains in the block..i know you want a overall mix of 50/50,but i'm sure quite a bit of water remains in the block....thanks

I think most of it should drain back out. You're not really getting any of the engine passages here as the thermostat should be closed. I'd add 50/50. You could just fill it not quite all the way, run it a bit, then use a hydrometer (if you use green antifreeze) to test it. Based on that, add water, pure antifreeze, or top off with a blend. If you use propylene glycol based coolant like dexcool, you need a refractometer- though they can be really touchy and inaccurate if you don't have a professional type one with automatic temperature compensation.

Dispose of the old antifreeze properly if you can. Not only is ethylene glycol extremely poisonous to you and/or pets or critters if ingensted, used antifreeze tends to be chock full of lead and other heavy metals it picks up out of the engine. Just another reason why having a shop do it isn't such a horrible idea. I've heard horror stories about letting a quick lube place or dealer power flush it though.

Oh, and hydrometers can be had at Wal-Mart or a parts shop for just a couple of bucks. They are usually a rubber hose attached to a clear housing with some little balls in there of different densities, and a squeeze bulb to suck up some fluid into the thing.

I think most of it should drain back out. You're not really getting any of the engine passages here as the thermostat should be closed. I'd add 50/50. You could just fill it not quite all the way, run it a bit, then use a hydrometer (if you use green antifreeze) to test it. Based on that, add water, pure antifreeze, or top off with a blend. If you use propylene glycol based coolant like dexcool, you need a refractometer- though they can be really touchy and inaccurate if you don't have a professional type one with automatic temperature compensation.

Dispose of the old antifreeze properly if you can. Not only is ethylene glycol extremely poisonous to you and/or pets or critters if ingensted, used antifreeze tends to be chock full of lead and other heavy metals it picks up out of the engine. Just another reason why having a shop do it isn't such a horrible idea. I've heard horror stories about letting a quick lube place or dealer power flush it though.
thank you sir,,i'll let you know how things turn out..

The other way to do it is to disconnect the two main lines at the bottom of the radiator and the coolant will come just pouring out of those. And, if you want to get it really empty, then take the thermostat out and it will start circuilating it when you first start the engine cold so you get all of it out of the engine. Then fill it back up.