flushing radiator how to:

[Redline_civic91]

how do u flush out your radiator can someone please give me a step by step and what fluids to use thanks

[cuba3377]

first, get a pan. lift ur car. there should be a drain plug on the bottom of the radiator. MAKE SURE THE CAR IS COLD. contents under pressure!!! once u empty the coolent, just get a hose and let the water flow from the top of the radiator to the bottom. if u really wanted, u could get some radiator cleaner, and put it in too. fill it back up, and put coolant in. ur all set ^^

ITS REAL SIMPLE. easyer than an oil change

[ManOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by cuba3377

first, get a pan. lift ur car. there should be a drain plug on the bottom of the radiator. MAKE SURE THE CAR IS COLD. contents under pressure!!! once u empty the coolent, just get a hose and let the water flow from the top of the radiator to the bottom. if u really wanted, u could get some radiator cleaner, and put it in too. fill it back up, and put coolant in. ur all set ^^

ITS REAL SIMPLE. easyer than an oil change

Cuba covered most of the major steps for only draining and refilling. However you should also consider the following:

Draining and Refilling Cooling System

1. Remove the radiator cap.
2. Slide a catch pan underneath the radiator. Loosen the drain bolt at the base of the radiator and drain the radiator.
3. Your engine may be equipped with a drain bolt on block; if so equipped, loosen the drain bolt and drain the block.
4. Drain the coolant in the reservoir tank by unclipping and disconnecting the hose at the bottom of the tank. If you can remove the tank, do so and drain it.
5. Mix a solution of 50 percent ethylene glycol and 50 percent distilled water. If you can't get distilled, use filtered water. Tap water in some geographies contain high mineral content which is bad . Use a stronger solution as specified by the antifreeze container, if your climate demands it. Tighten the drain bolts and refill the radiator all the way to the filler mouth. Reconnect the overflow tank (reservoir tank) connecting tube.
6. Loosen the cooling system bleed bolt to purge air from the sytem. When coolant flows out of the bleed port, close the bolt and refill the radiator with collant up to the mouth. Bleed bolt should be tightened to 11 N-m or 8 ft-lbs.
7. To purge any air trapped in the other parts of the cooling system

• set the heater control to Hot
• start the engine, set it tofast idle and allow to reach normal operating temperatures.
• DO NOT tighten the radiator cap and leave the heater control on Hot position. When the temperature reaches normal operating temperatures, top off the radiator and keep checking until the level stabilizes; then refill the coolant reservoir to the Full (Max) mark and make sure that the radiator cap is properly tightened.

Flushing Cooling System

1. Remove the thermostat. Check for corrosion and around the spring/ball-bearing. If necessary, get a new thermostat. Get a new thermostat o-ring/gasket and sealant.
2. Use a high pressure water hose, force fresh water into the thermostat housing opening, allowing the water to back-flush into the engine, heater and radiator. Back-flush until water flowing from the radiator hose is clear.
3. After cleaning, reverse the removal procedures for the thermostat.
4. Drain and refill the cooling system with fresh coolant as instructed above.