[mark v]

Cheap way to flush.

Make sure engine is COLD.

Remove radiator cap.

Remove Thermostat and replace thermostat housing with no thermostat in it.

Remove lower hose off the Radiator.

Put heat selector to hot and floor.

Replace radiator cap.

Stuff a garden hose about 1/2 way up the lower hose but not up to the waterpump housing and then stuff a rag around the garden hose to keep it from falling out.

Turn on garden hose slowly then start the vehicle and let it idle, turn up pressure to garden hose and make sure the hose doesnt slip out of the lower radiator hose when vehicle is running. Water should be now coming out the bottom of the radiator and it should be filthy.

The fresh water from the hose will get pumped through the waterpump, heater core, block, through the top of the radiator and out the bottom of the radiator.

This will clean everything in your coolant system.

When water flows out the bottom of the radiator and is clean looking shut the engine off and let the garden hose run for another minute the remove it.

Let all water drain from the engine as possible. Remove thermostat housing and add a new thermostat, Replace the radiator cap with a brand new radiator cap then attach the lower radiator hose only after the thermostat has been replaced, this makes sure most of the water got to drain out.

Get some antifreeze and do a 50/50 mix with water. Get an antifreeze tester and make sure it is set to -34 degree's no matter where you live unless you are in Alaska maybe you have a cooler setting.

Add 50/50 coolant/water mixture slowly to avoid air pockets.

Run engine to check coolant level and top off as necessary.

When flushing the engine I also clean out the coolant reservoir, usually it is dirty too.

Do at your own risk and only if you feel comfortable with doing minor engine work.

I have been doing this for years with no issues and no harm to myself and vehicle.

Do at your own risk and only if you feel comfortable with doing minor engine work.


Some kits require cutting a hose and putting a "T" in the hose and then flush from there. However if you install the "T" in the wrong line the water will just flow where it wants and not do an entire flush. My way uses the engine to pump the coolant the way it naturally does it and will do the entire engine cause the thermostat is not blocking any passages and allows all the gunk to get flushed because if the thermostat is closed the bigger chunks can get stuck behind it.

The more pressure you can get out of the garden hose the better wile the engine is running. Personally I put the garden hose on full blast and hold it into the lower radiator hose, yes you probably will get wet.

I always use a bottle of waterpump lubricant when finished flushing and add to the engine with the coolant.

[Zephyrman]

I use this system myself, thanks for posting!

[Boghog]

And where does all the waste water go that comes out of the radiator hose?Has to be several gallons anyway.Antifreeze isn't bio-degradable.As a matter of fact it's a hazardous material that can't be broken down into anything but antifreeze.The days of running it out on the ground and hosing it down the drain are over.Everthing from the waterpump down is still in the engine,so pushing it out with a garden hose, where does it go.I hope you have a very large container to capture all the fluids and are recycling it.Industry polutes the earth enough,and we don't have to add to it.

here's an MSDS for Shell Zone antifreeze
MSDS ShellZone Antifreeze

[mark v]

I figured that would be self explanatory...... I use a large plastic flat bin to catch it all and then recycle it.

[bstone]

I am sorry for the completely n00b question, but where is the thermostat, and how do I remove it? If you have pictures that would be even better. Thanks!

[Poppy]

Just follow the top radiator hose to the engine, it is in the housing that the hose is connected to... two simple blots to remove it.

[bstone]

I got the t/stat changed. Also replaced the gasket. I then drained the coolant. It was completely brown. I filled it up with water, ran for 10 minutes, and the water was dark brown. I did this 6 times, and the water is STILL brown. I got some radiator detergent and will use it in the morning. Hopefully that will clean it out real good.

Any suggestions?

[mark v]

The T-stat has to be out of the car for my system to work correctly. When you are done flushing you put the new one in.

[bstone]

I've now flushed it 10 times, and also used some of that coolant additive. Still coming out brown.

[mark v]

Like I said the T-stat must NOT be in the engine for this to work!

[bstone]

Originally Posted by mark v

Like I said the T-stat must NOT be in the engine for this to work!

Are you saying that the T-stat is causing all of the brown water? Otherwise, why should I remove the t-stat?

[mark v]

The T-stat is blocking the coolant passage in your engine at the moment preventing a total flush.

Remove the T-stat and place your temp setting to HEAT and put the Temp setting on the Hottest setting. The reason why this happens is cause on some vehicles there is a valve that only opens when the heat is on so the Heater Core can get flushed.

[bstone]

Originally Posted by mark v

The T-stat is blocking the coolant passage in your engine at the moment preventing a total flush. Remove the T-stat and place your temp setting to HEAT and put the Temp setting on the Hottest setting. The reason why this happens is cause on some vehicles there is a valve that only opens when the heat is on so the Heater Core can get flushed.

This is very informative. Does it matter, however, that I filled the radiator and let the engine run for 10 minutes and then emptied it? I've done this 10 times and the water is still dark brown.

[mark v]

Yes it matters, if the T-stat is in, it blocks the flow so your engine stays dirty!

This is why step #4 says "Remove Thermostat and replace thermostat housing with no thermostat in it."

[bstone]

Originally Posted by mark v

Yes it matters, if the T-stat is in, it blocks the flow so your engine stays dirty! This is why step #4 says "Remove Thermostat and replace thermostat housing with no thermostat in it."

Step 4 is very wise. I shall make sure to do this.

[mefisto666]

shouldn't you drain your coolant first?
and what about using those additives to degunk your hoses and rad?

[mark v]

I figured most people would have drained their system first however if you do it the way I wrote it the coolant will come out anyway during the flush and hose removal!

You can use a chemical first in your system if you wish before doing my How-to. I do recommend a chemical to put in after yo complete the job.

[jeraldfler]

I dont think its as fast as they claim

[jeraldfler]

I dont think its as fast as they claim

[mark v]

What is as fast as they claim?