Coolant flush?

I guess I should probably know this, but how do you flush the coolant on this car?

I am planning on replacing the thermostat housing and draining and replacing the coolant while Im at it, but Id like to completely flush out the system, as in run water through the system until the water coming out is the same as the water coming in.

I guess I just dont know which hoses to use in doing so. So guide me please.

I am in the same position. Does anyone know anything about a reverse radiator flush or just clean the system out?

MY COOLANT SMELLS LIKE FISH! =[

Best way is a 2 step process

1-Drain the rad, next remove the upper rad hose from the engine not at the Rad, Next ram the Garden hose in the rad fill hole and flush till the water runs clean, next ram the garden hose in the rad hose you removed from the engine side and flush till the water runs clean.

2- Remove the heater hose from the engine side, now ram the hose and flush till water runs clean. Now is the time to replace all hoses that need replacing, fill with rad fluid and you are done for the next 5-years

make sure you add coolant first to the system as there is usually lots of water in there to provide a good mix.

Best way is a 2 step process

1-Drain the rad, next remove the upper rad hose from the engine not at the Rad, Next ram the Garden hose in the rad fill hole and flush till the water runs clean, next ram the garden hose in the rad hose you removed from the engine side and flush till the water runs clean.

2- Remove the heater hose from the engine side, now ram the hose and flush till water runs clean. Now is the time to replace all hoses that need replacing, fill with rad fluid and you are done for the next 5-years


Regarding step 1, I dont have a radiator fill hole, I have the 3.5 so if I run water through the surge tank hose that goes in, should I assume it will come out the upper radiator hose?

Regarding step 2, Im not entirely sure which one is the heater hose, and where is the water coming out? the upper rad hose?

Regarding step 1, I dont have a radiator fill hole, I have the 3.5 so if I run water through the surge tank hose that goes in, should I assume it will come out the upper radiator hose?

Regarding step 2, Im not entirely sure which one is the heater hose, and where is the water coming out? the upper rad hose?

Step 1 yes that should work on your 3.5 and I should have said heater core hose (the small hose that goes to the heater core) Note; objective is to inject the engine with a full blast of clean water from a garden hose.

Ok...this is an area of ignorance for me in case you couldnt tell.


So....if I keep water flowing into the surge tank while the engine is running and have the upper radiator hose loose it should flush out everything? Radiator and engine both?


There are two hoses that go to the heater core, which one should I use?


Im sorry, this must be very frustrating for those giving advice, I know how a cooling system works at least in theory, but I cant for the life of me figure out how all these lines work.

Go to your local auto parts store and pick up a flushing kit. It will come with three adapters for whatever size heater hose you have. Install this into the easiest hose available. Flush away until the coolant runs clear.

I had to remove my lower rad hose to dump the coolant out of the system. The drain cock on the left side of the rad would not open for me.

Also make sure you purge the system of air after refilling. This purge valve is on the right top of the the rad. I would do this a few times after driving it as well. Just don't scald yourself, do it when the engine is cool.

Best way is a 2 step process

1-Drain the rad, next remove the upper rad hose from the engine not at the Rad, Next ram the Garden hose in the rad fill hole and flush till the water runs clean, next ram the garden hose in the rad hose you removed from the engine side and flush till the water runs clean.

2- Remove the heater hose from the engine side, now ram the hose and flush till water runs clean. Now is the time to replace all hoses that need replacing, fill with rad fluid and you are done for the next 5-years

If you like your carand want to aboid future problems you wouldn't wait 5 years to flush again.

Little Hoov,
You can flush the system without running the engine, as a matter of fact it works better if you DON'T have the engine running. Just make sure that you take out the thermostat, and contrary to the statement, don't ram the hose into anything! Typically, water pressure in a city system is 40-60psi, this much pressure is likely to cause damage to your heater core, which is usually designed for about a max operating pressure of 15 psi. The heater core and the radiator will not stand anything over 20 psi for very long before beginning to split the seams, solder joints, etc! That is with a new rad and a new core, so you can see where I am going with this I hope! If you want you can get one of the "T" fittings described in an earlier post, but I prefer not to use one of those as it makes it too easy to over pressurize the system. Look at the firewall of the car on the passenger side. You'll see two hoses going into the heater core there, that is where you can tap into the heater core for flushing. It really doesn't matter which hose you apply the garden hose to, either one will work, I prefer to reverse flush, look at the hoses, if they are the factory ones, they will have an arrow on them pointing in the direction that the water flows. Hook up the garden hose backwards to that, and you will do the most good, the scale, etc that is in the system will have a better chance of dislodging if you reverse the flow. If you are worried that you will screw up the nipples on the core, look for the easiest hose to disconnect, usually somewhere on the waterpump is good. Also, please don't drain the radiator into the sewer, that stuff is very toxic to people and animals, so do the responsible, (and difficult) thing of trying to capture the used coolant and taking it to your local mechanic/dealer/supply house to properly dispose of it. If you have pets, they will thank you for it, if not MY dog and cats will thank you for it. Good Luck, It really ain't that difficult, just time consuming.:popcorn:

Ok...this is an area of ignorance for me in case you couldnt tell.


So....if I keep water flowing into the surge tank while the engine is running and have the upper radiator hose loose it should flush out everything? Radiator and engine both?


There are two hoses that go to the heater core, which one should I use?


Im sorry, this must be very frustrating for those giving advice, I know how a cooling system works at least in theory, but I cant for the life of me figure out how all these lines work.

Do not run the engine, No where did I mention running the engine while flushing with the garden hose.

If you have the 3.5 engine , your best bet is to let the dealer power flush the system out every 5 years or so. Costs about $130. I also change the reservoir tank fluid once a year.