Windstar Coolant Change

[AvalonJohn]

Guys,

Anybody know if the 1999 Windstars have a valve at the bottom of the radiators to drain the coolant ... I can't find one ?

Also, what is the proper way to change the antifreeze ? It's been a while since it's been changed and I would like to clean it as best I can. I'm going to run some Prestone Flush through it to before I add new andifreeze.

I was going to drain the old from the radiator. Close the valve (reconnect lower hose?) and fill radiator with water, run engine again until hot and thermostat opens and water circulates, then drain radiator again. I was going to repeat this 3 or 4 times (including one being a Prestone flush). Of course I'd wait to make sure the engine had cooled before I refil each time. If I do this is this essentially the same as removing the thermostat and backflushing ? Will this sufficiantly clean the system ? I really don't want to get into removing the thermostat.

Thanks in Advance,

AvalonJohn

[Freakzilla69]

The drain plug on my '98 is on the lower drivers side facing the engine, it's white plastic. Mine is broken, it just cracked of when I put a ratchet on it, but it's got a hexagonal depression in it that I can insert a screwdriver into and turn, so be carefull with it.

I used some radiator flush I got at the AZ but I don't remember the brand.

I think the procedure was to drain, pour in the flush, fill with water and drive for so many miles. But I'm sure if you just let it warm up the thermostat will open and circulate. Then you flush with water a couple of times the same way.

[jkeaton224]

Prestone sells a coolant flushing kit that works pretty well. It actually back-flushes the entire system. You can get them most anywhere.

[AvalonJohn]

jkeaton224,

Dumb question, which hose to I insert the Prestone backflush kit into to flush the system ?

AvalonJohn