radiator flush

[eL eS]

have any of you folks performed this at home? Can you kindly give the abridged version if so. I was looking for a drain plug but could find it if there is one.

 

[Joeychgo]

I havent, I always have it done for me.

 

[Quik LS]

have any of you folks performed this at home? Can you kindly give the abridged version if so. I was looking for a drain plug but could find it if there is one.

yes - just this weekend - testing the supercharger I had to flush the cooling system because I had to remove the intake and cooling tower.

the drain plug is a 'white plug' on the bottom of the lower passenger side of the radiator - has a hex key remove.

on the V8 your open the refill lid, open the cooling tower lid and the open the drain plug - it should drain out about 4Ls.

refilling is a little trickier.
- tighten the drain plug
- leave the cooling tower and refill canister open
- open the bleed valve (next to the refill canister).
- fill the refill canister to the 'full' line - let sit - refill - sit ....
- then fill the cooling tower to the top, put on the cap
- then start the car, interior heater to max
- leave the bleeder valve open until it starts spilling a steady stream, then tighen
- top up the refill canister
- let the car warm up, open the bleeder valve once in a while until a steady stream of fluid runs out
- make sure that warm air is coming out of the interior heater vents
- turn off the car, let the car cool down - top up the refill canister.

 

[eL eS]

yes - just this weekend - testing the supercharger I had to flush the cooling system because I had to remove the intake and cooling tower.

the drain plug is a 'white plug' on the bottom of the lower passenger side of the radiator - has a hex key remove.

on the V8 your open the refill lid, open the cooling tower lid and the open the drain plug - it should drain out about 4Ls.

refilling is a little trickier.
- tighten the drain plug
- leave the cooling tower and refill canister open
- open the bleed valve (next to the refill canister).
- fill the refill canister to the 'full' line - let sit - refill - sit ....
- then fill the cooling tower to the top, put on the cap
- then start the car, interior heater to max
- leave the bleeder valve open until it starts spilling a steady stream, then tighen
- top up the refill canister
- let the car warm up, open the bleeder valve once in a while until a steady stream of fluid runs out
- make sure that warm air is coming out of the interior heater vents
- turn off the car, let the car cool down - top up the refill canister.

THANKS! :gr_hail:

 

[Kevin]

Bumpin'.

So, does that procedure work perfectly?

I'm concerned about those pesky little air pockets that I've heard about.

Only 4 litres gets out? I want to drain ALL the fluid, completely replace existing stuff.

How can I get it all out?

 

[Quik LS]

Kevin - this is the procedure I have used several times. has worked for me.

I have it in a pdf if you want it - shoot me a PM with your e-mail address.

 

[Kevin]

Yeah, that'll work.

My main concern is evacuating ALL the 6 year old fluid. It is still 'good' for freezing point, but it's probably getting up there in acidity.

PM Sent.

 

[Quik LS]

Here the 'flush procedure':

Once pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap.



2. Drain the cooling system - procedure I mentioned above

3. Remove the water thermostat.

4. Install the water hose connection without the water thermostat.

5. NOTE: Refer to the cooling system Flush-All operating instructions for specific vehicle hook-up.

Use cooling system Flush-All, Coolant Flush Kit and Drain Kit to flush the engine and radiator.
Use Premium Cooling System Flush F1AZ-19A503-A meeting Ford specification ESR-M14P7-A for vehicles filled with Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M971B44-A (green color).

6. Install the water thermostat.

7. Backflush the heater core if necessary.

8. Fill the cooling system - procedure I mentioned above





I'll send you the docs.

 

[2001LS8Sport]

The block should have drains on it too. Not positive...but I've never seen one that didn't. However, accessing them could be a real pain in the butt.

 

[Jim Henderson]

The block should have drains on it too. Not positive...but I've never seen one that didn't. However, accessing them could be a real pain in the butt.

Now a days the block drains are often used for the knock sensors. So you might need a special tool to remove them. On my last car, I just said the heck with it and iognored the block drains.

I do use a Prestone flush kick which pretty much assures you of cleaning out the whole system anyway. Plus I go thru multiple flush and drive cycles to make sure all the old stuff is out. Then I refill First with the 50% quantity of coolant then top up with distilled water. Filling first with coolant makes sure that you have a 50% mix since there is always some water stuck in the system so if you fill with coolant last, you never get the right amount in there.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

[terry-cook]

Thank you guys, I guess I'm way too "old school" I was doing this for my kid and you were a great help.