99 lx coolant change procedure=

[jamesmetairie]

Coolant appears original from 1999. As a mechanically declined individual = 1) can i just drop the splash cover under the radiator drain 2)then take off the rad cap and resivoir cap 3) drain the radiator with the motor running and heater on 4) refill it with water and run it till warm a couple of times till it drains clear. 5) close drain. refill system with 50/50 of any type old style green coolant. Then drive around and refill fill it to rad cap lower neck if needed. Question = my G.M. 3.1 litre,s have bleeder valves. Does the escort have any bleeder valves ? Jim .

[mightymoose_22]

Not aware of any bleeder valves...

Make things a little simpler. Pull the draing plug from the engine block, then also drain the radiator. That should get most of it, except maybe a tiny bit in the heater core.

When the engine is cold you should be able to reach right up under the exhaust manifold with an allen wrench and pull out the plug from the block. It seems to me most people never make use of this plug and I don't know why. I would prefer this to running the engine, first to keep the engine cool and second so I don't run the pump dry.

[jamesmetairie]

do you need to put the car up on ramps to access the block plug ? do you use teflon tape on the plug when you reinstall ?

[mightymoose_22]

It would be much easier to do with it on ramps or jackstands.
Teflon tape wouldn't hurt.