[mefisto666]

what about putting the hose in the coolant reservoir and not into the lower rad hose?

[Boghog]

Wouldn't work.The reason you place it in the lower hose,is so it follows it's normal path.Coolant enters the engine thru the lower hose from the radiator and is expelled thru the upper hose when the thermostat opens.

[mark v]

Yep exactly.

See the water pump pumps from the lower hose so like Boghog said this is the natural path for the water to flow.

Also by putting the hose in the lower radiator hose when the fluid is pumped through the engine it flushes the radiator on its way out.

[mefisto666]

my 2000 cvpi has a hose going from the reservoir to the lower hose (refer to picture). So, wouldn't this line imitate the same effect as putting the hose in the lower rad hose?

[Feared_Futura]

in a sense yes...but you would still have to disconnect the radiator side or the lower hose and plug it.....usually a 1&7/8 trailer ball is about the right size...that way as you flush the system all the water will run out of the bottom of the radiator.

[mefisto666]

Okay, I'm sorry for being annoying but disconnecting the hose might seem unnecessary for an amateur like me. Yes, the pump pushes water through from the lower hose, through the engine, passes through the thermostat, into the upper hose and into the upper connection of the radiator. Where it goes form there I don't really know but my best guess would be that goes through the radiator (from top to bottom) and back into the lower hose. So, if you put the water hose into the reservoir, and open the drain bolt which is at the bottom of the radiator, I would imagine the coolant still moves through the radiator but gets drained before it gets to the lower hose.

am I missing something?

ps. part of me arguing has to do with being annoyed by how difficult it is to deal with the clamp for the lower hose. I don't have tiny arms or fingers!!!!!

[mark v]

You will not flush the chunks out of the drain bolt plus the bottom of the radiator will not get flushed. Also the flow out of the drain bolt is not sufficient for the volume of water coming out when you flush the engine. The coolant also flows from the bottom of the waterpump through the entire engine and cooling system plus heater core, what you want to do will just partially flush the radiator and leave any/all crud in the engine.

They do make hose clamp tools, you can buy them in sets or individually. If you got worm clamps use a long screwdriver.

If you think removing a lower hose clamp off the radiator is bad try removing the thermostat out of a 1998 Windstar.

Also on some cars like mine the reservoir is just a reservoir, it holds excess coolant and does not circulate through the cooling system at all.

[Feared_Futura]

but on his crown vic the lower radiator hose is like a "T" his radiator doesn't have a filler cap on the actual radiator...his overflow tank is his fill and reservoir..and i must admit with him getting th hose off is sucky....but he needs to take it loose from the radiator which is not at all hard....i wish i had a crown vic...if anyone can b!tch about cramped spaces you should see a 4.6 in a thunder bird or cougar...hell even mustang 4.6's have more space....

[mark v]

My how-to will still work with this newer system, the radiator cap still needs to be left on this newer type of system.

[paso ranchero]

Mark V, thanks for the very informative post on how to get a complete flush.

[trhaus]

i hate to say it but i like to take the top rad hose off so that and big chunks dont get into the rad and also its easier to flush the rad seperatly.. i also like to run a ten minute rad flush before i drain the fluid. however this is the first time i have ever heard of a product for water pump lubrication. gonna have to look into that

[mark v]

Most of the chunks are in the radiator due to the small fins and constant temp fluctuation and by keeping the top hose on you will not get coolant and crud all over the engine.

Either way it is a fast way to flush the system.

[ordinary88]

Want to flush the cooling system on 1998 Windstar 3.8.
Is the thermostat hard to get to?
Does anybody suggest replacing the water pump as a preventative measure - (185,000 miles)?
Is a slight oil film in the overflow container a sign of impending disaster? It all soaked up on one paper towel, then it was just antifreeze.

[mark v]

I did this write up because of my 1998 Windstar 3.8.

Remove the assembly between the airfilter and throttle body and you will see the thermostat, follow the top radiator hose.

If the pump isnt leaking and you dont have overheating issues I suggest to leave the pump alone.

A slight oil film could of been just from adding coolant or contaminants that got in your overflow bottle, I wouldnt worry.