radiator flush...

[Alfredo/Expl.XLS1999]

Hello everyone!

My X is now with the 60k miles and I think is time for a radiator flush. And I need some advice how to perform the job my self correctly.

I search for the draining cap but I cant find it. Any help welcome.

 

[donaldbc]

I just performed what they call a back flush on my X. I went to Walmart and bought a Prestone Kit for $3.00 that cleans out the entire system not just the radiator. The drain plug on my '97 is on the left as you are looking at the front of the vehicle. As you get under your truck there should be a "plastic cover thing" undo the four bolts there and take it off, then the drain plug is plastic and looks like a thumb screw. I hope this helps.

 

[Dave W.]

Mine is a 99 XLT,I did mine 2 months ago. there is no drain plug on the 99, you have to pull the bottom hose on the radiator. you can't pull it fast enough to get it in a bucket=getting wet before you get it there. good luck!

 

[Fred Garvin]

I would replace the thermostat while you're flushing, and maybe even the hoses, although the hose replacement may be premature. Thermostats aren't that expensive, and they're asy to install. Do the thermostat before refilling. I had 50K on mine when the thermostat went bad in Canada--what a pain.

There is no drain--you have to disconnect the lower hose and let the coolant fly. Then I would run flush though and clear water. When it comes out clear--turn off engine and let the water drain until it's done.

Reconnect hoses and start refilling--make sure you run it until hot and the thermostat opens--can't leave air in the system.

That's the way I do it.

 

[Triton46]

Fred,

Is that your name or is this from the SNL skit that Dan Akroyd used to do?

Anyone else remember that?

It was...Fred Garvin Male Prostitute

sorry had to share...

 

[RTStork]

Originally posted by Triton46
Fred,

Is that your name or is this from the SNL skit that Dan Akroyd used to do?

LMAO!

 

[astrochimp]

what kind of container do you guys put all this used cooland and flushed crap in? Where do you take it when finished?

 

[Ross-N-Chicago]

Alfredo,

Be very careful to get all the Rad Flush chemicals out of your system or you may seriously regret it. I cracked two heads b/c of that crap. I read a diff X site that says it leaves a caustic solution behind that can spur leaks. I was all fine and dandy until I ran some errands and noticed coolant coming out the back of the block. If I were to flush I would fill with clean water, put heater on high, run for 5 mins, empty, refill again, run for 5, empty and then replace t stat and coolant and whatever else you want. Hope this helps and sorry if too late.

 

[RTStork]

I agree with Ross about staying away from the flush chemicals.. Just flush it real good with water.

 

[jimmiecakes]

I'm not sure if yours has block drains. To do a really good flush, these should be removed. Flush chemical or not, there is no way to lift the contaminants from this area.

 

[Ross-N-Chicago]

block drains

jimmiecakes, do you know if the 91s have them? i'm about to get in deep one of these weekends and would love to flush before the winter freeze. thanks

 

[jimmiecakes]

do you know if the 91s have them?

Sorry, I'm just not sure..... I wasn't going to worry about whether mine has them until I have the time to actually do it and I never think to look at the bottom of anyone elses.

If yours has them, there'll be one on each side just a little below the line formed by the expansion plugs. If you're doing this on the ground (no hoist), be very careful..... this coolant is HOT and always seems too have a one track mind about it's target....

 

[Ross-N-Chicago]

isn't that the truth! someone earlier on diff post said that the method of removing t stat and backflushing with garden hose inserted into upturned lower rad hose and running until clean is bad idea b/c of the brief time that no water is in the block. is this true? when you turn the hose on and then the iginition, the water pump takes that water and immed. pumps to block. i think this is ok. if you do remember to turn heater on high to flush the core.

 

[RTStork]

Originally posted by rossneag
isn't that the truth! someone earlier on diff post said that the method of removing t stat and backflushing with garden hose inserted into upturned lower rad hose and running until clean is bad idea b/c of the brief time that no water is in the block. is this true? when you turn the hose on and then the iginition, the water pump takes that water and immed. pumps to block. i think this is ok. if you do remember to turn heater on high to flush the core.

I use a variation of that procedure. I take off the upper radiator hose going to the radiator. I then take off the radiator cap and stick a water hose in and keep the radiator full. Crank it up and let it run untill the water coming out of the top of the radiator hose is clean. As long as you keep the radiator full, you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[jimmiecakes]

RTStorks method is very good, especially since it is so much more convenient and keeps your extremities away from the food processor they created with fans, belts and pulleys.

I still prefer removing block drains since I have never seen any other way of being sure the lower part of the water jacket is clean. All kinds of sludge hides down here and can migrate into your new coolant - even to the point of changing the coolants Ph.

Before I finish up, I like to remove the heater hoses and do the heater core all by it's lonesome - if you've ever experienced a northern Alberta winter, you'll know why.