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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.
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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.
