Radiator flush

[toughguy5]

This will be my first radiator flush on my 2000 ford winstar, 3.8, it really needs it. i can use some help here, do i use the draincock on the radiator or put a tee in the heater line? and how much antifreez do i need with the rear heater too. Also do i use the longlife antifreez or the 50/50 mix? thanks all.

[serge_saati]

A drain plug is more practicable.
You needs 3.5 gallon for a full flush.
Use 50/50 mix short life. The green one.

[veerg]

I also have a 2000 Windstar. Would like to know how to do the flush. It does not have a Radiator cap. How do you add fluid to it.? I have not looked for it but hope it has a drain plug. Please let us know from your experience or if any one else has any suggestions...thanks

[toughguy5]

Originally Posted by serge_saati

A drain plug is more practicable.
You needs 3.5 gallon for a full flush.
Use 50/50 mix short life. The green one.

a drain plug?

how do i do a full flush?

green one good.

thanks.

[serge_saati]

Originally Posted by toughguy5

a drain plug?

how do i do a full flush?

green one good.

thanks.

I mean drain cock like you suggest. Very similar.
If you use the drain cock and flush with distillate water, and wait until all antifreeze get out, it's considered a full flush.

Cause some people don't use the drain cock. So it's not full.

Maybe you'll not be able to remove all distillate water. So I suggest: after the flush, add 1.75 gallon of concentrated antifreeze then complete with distillate water. It's up to you.

[northern piper]

on a 2000 3.8 the drain plug is on the bottom of the rad at the drivers side. It is plastic and very easy to break (ask how I know that ). It does have an allen key center to the plastic plug in the event that you break it fyi. Loosening the plug allows the rad fluid to flow out. Note that the plug, at least on mine, doesn't come out, but loosens to allow the fluid to drain. I removed the top and bottom rubber hoses and flushed the rad with regular water. I also removed the thermostat and replaced with an OEM one, along with a gasket. When flushing, once the rad fluid it drained I reassemble the whole system and run regular water thru until it come out clear. Then I drain again button the system up and add the new fluid. Take a bit longer but you know the fluid is all out. Once the new fluid it in, test it for concentration and burp the system.

[toughguy5]

Originally Posted by northern piper

on a 2000 3.8 the drain plug is on the bottom of the rad at the drivers side. It is plastic and very easy to break (ask how I know that ). It does have an allen key center to the plastic plug in the event that you break it fyi. Loosening the plug allows the rad fluid to flow out. Note that the plug, at least on mine, doesn't come out, but loosens to allow the fluid to drain. I removed the top and bottom rubber hoses and flushed the rad with regular water. I also removed the thermostat and replaced with an OEM one, along with a gasket. When flushing, once the rad fluid it drained I reassemble the whole system and run regular water thru until it come out clear. Then I drain again button the system up and add the new fluid. Take a bit longer but you know the fluid is all out. Once the new fluid it in, test it for concentration and burp the system.

thanks, but would in be ok to put a tee in the heater hose line and flush the whole system and have the drain plug open?

[serge_saati]

Originally Posted by toughguy5

thanks, but would in be ok to put a tee in the heater hose line and flush the whole system and have the drain plug open?

Yes, but it's not necessary to open the drain AND put a tee. Do just one.
It'll drain slower, but it's less complicate than your method.

Don't forget that fluid goes on heater lines even when thermostat is closed.

[wiswind]

As far as the coolant you use, I am not sure of what year FORD switched from Green coolant to yellow.
The yellow is G-05, available from FORD as premium GOLD, or from Zerex as G-05.
If is does not state that it is G-05 on the label, it is NOT G-05.....regardless of what a parts clerk tries to tell you.
I bought Zerex G-05 at Carquest.......they did not carry it at Autozone, or any of the other auto part stores in my area.......Napa has it in some places....but not by me.
I converted my '96 Windstar to G-05.
I did not do a real flush.....I drained the radiator......changed out the radiator hoses...used distilled water to fill....start the motor and circulate it......drain.....repeating until it came out clear......and filled with the amount of concentrated G-05 needed to mix with water to fill the from empty capacity of my system.
In other words.....if the total system capacity is 8 quarts (2 gallons), then I would add 1 gallon of concentrated G-05, which will mix with the DISTILLED water in your system to give you the 50/50 mix.
You will NOT be able to drain ALL of the liquid out of the system.......which is why I used the concentrate and not the "premixed" version.
If you use a cleaning chemical.....more rinsing will be needed to flush all of that out of the system.

Our Windstars came with traditional green in the older years.....and the G-05 in the newer years......G-05 is a HOAT, a Hybrid Organic Acid Technology coolant.
Most of the coolants that you will see, like the Prestone yellow jug (which states "all makes all models") is a OAT, Organic Acid Technology coolant.....which is NOT what FORD used in the windstar in any year.
The OAT has the long life properties, but lacks the "instant" protection provided by the Silicate additive.....which is in the Green, and in the G-05.
However, the silicate is at a lower level....and more stable than the Green of many years ago......

[serge_saati]

The 2000 Windstar accepts both fluid types (green or yellow G-05). But the both should not be mixed. If you drain ALL the fluid, then you can choose the one you prefer. Like Winswind saids, don't use the "all makes all models" long life fluid.

[veerg]

Originally Posted by toughguy5

thanks, but would in be ok to put a tee in the heater hose line and flush the whole system and have the drain plug open?

I want to do the Rad flush on my 2000 also. Please let me know what your experience was and what steps you took to do it.....thanks.

[toughguy5]

Originally Posted by wiswind

As far as the coolant you use, I am not sure of what year FORD switched from Green coolant to yellow.
The yellow is G-05, available from FORD as premium GOLD, or from Zerex as G-05.
If is does not state that it is G-05 on the label, it is NOT G-05.....regardless of what a parts clerk tries to tell you.
I bought Zerex G-05 at Carquest.......they did not carry it at Autozone, or any of the other auto part stores in my area.......Napa has it in some places....but not by me.
I converted my '96 Windstar to G-05.
I did not do a real flush.....I drained the radiator......changed out the radiator hoses...used distilled water to fill....start the motor and circulate it......drain.....repeating until it came out clear......and filled with the amount of concentrated G-05 needed to mix with water to fill the from empty capacity of my system.
In other words.....if the total system capacity is 8 quarts (2 gallons), then I would add 1 gallon of concentrated G-05, which will mix with the DISTILLED water in your system to give you the 50/50 mix.
You will NOT be able to drain ALL of the liquid out of the system.......which is why I used the concentrate and not the "premixed" version.
If you use a cleaning chemical.....more rinsing will be needed to flush all of that out of the system.

Our Windstars came with traditional green in the older years.....and the G-05 in the newer years......G-05 is a HOAT, a Hybrid Organic Acid Technology coolant.
Most of the coolants that you will see, like the Prestone yellow jug (which states "all makes all models") is a OAT, Organic Acid Technology coolant.....which is NOT what FORD used in the windstar in any year.
The OAT has the long life properties, but lacks the "instant" protection provided by the Silicate additive.....which is in the Green, and in the G-05.
However, the silicate is at a lower level....and more stable than the Green of many years ago......

thanks for the heads up Wiswind, but do i fill the recovery tank when refilling the radiator with distilled water, then antifreeze.

[serge_saati]

Originally Posted by toughguy5

do i fill the recovery tank when refilling the radiator with distilled water, then antifreeze.

Yes, of course. But it's concentrated antifreeze, then water.

[wiswind]

you want the overflow tank to end up with a slightly stronger than 50/50 mix of coolant........just like the rest of the system.
The idea is to add the amount of concentrated coolant to the system that is required to give a slightly stronger than 50/50 mix of coolant to water.......THEN top off with water.
This is because you will not be able to drain all the water out of the system......so you are STARTING OUT with pure water in there.

Now, if you are doing a drain and refill.....with NO flushing.......you could add the diluted mix (a premix that you buy.......or one that you make yourself with concentrate and distilled water).....as you already have a 50/50 mix in there.

[veerg]

As the 2000 does not have a Radiator cap, do you use the reservoir bottle when filling up....or you have to take one of the hoses off ?