Coolant flush by MACHINE.......is that better?????

[venomblue550]

i was at firestone today, and found out they can do the complete coolant flush though the whole engine, heater cord and just about everything, the COMPLETE flush, all done by a machine, then found out there are many many places out there does that, and take about 1 hour and only cost $50, i mean is that better than we do it ourself by empty radiator and remove block drain plugs.....?? i think this is easier than do it ourself, i mean cost almost $25 just buy coolant and do it ourself.... what do you guys think??

 

[Fast Freddy]

i have heard those machines create alot of presuure and can blow seals, etc.

 

[Nexus-6]

I typically do it the old fashioned way...which involves the better part of an entire afternoon.

Prestone makes a little kit (essentially a t fitting) that you temporarily plumb in to gently run water through the entire system, leaving the draincock open. When it runs clear, you're good to go.

I haven't used it yet but intend to on my next coolant flush - I've done it the "fun" way for years by filling with clean water, operating to temp to cycle, draining, repeat.

 

[GTSnake]

I've done it at Mr Eds oil change. It took about 45 mins including waiting for the engine to cool down and fitting an adapter to the thermostat housing. Once they started the flush it only took a few minutes to clean it and refill it. They dispose of the waste properly and do don't have to worry about finding a place to dispose of your coolant properly.

The only downside I can see is you have to put up with a little sales pitch for everything from oil to air filter to etc. The guy put some coolant in the tube with the floating balls and even when only 1 ball was at the bottom he tried to tell me my coolant is in really bad shape and needed to be changed. I went there to change the coolant in the first place but had to put up with some crap.

 

[Daniel Cragin/DC Performance Inc]

I have had poor results with the flush machine. First, you should flush your system every two years if you use the 50/50 mix and sooner if you use a lower coolant to water mix. Oxidation can ruin one of these engines.

If the system has not been serviced in some time then you should drain the radiator and remove engine block plugs, fill with distilled water and run engine then drain again and add the new coolant. You may want to pull the front fascia and clean out the overflow bottle as it gets filled with crud some times. Make sure you run the engine several times and top off the expansion tank as the system takes a while to bleed the air out.

 

[Jack B]

Dan:

do you see any issues with flushing thru the aforementioned fitting installed at the heater box. I have flushed this way and within 30 minutes the water is totally clear.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Instead of cutting lines and such, I find it MUCH easier to simply remove the hose that runs from the base of the water pump, up to the line that is bolted to the passenger side of the engine, which runs to the heater core.

On a COLD engine, if you flush this line with a hose, it will turn clear in a few minutes. however, periodically start the engine, and run for 10-15 seconds. it will turn green and back to clear again. continue this until it runs clear all the time. remove hose, drain all fresh water out. refill with ONLY distilled. run engine for a couple minutes, drain again. then fill with correct measure of coolant, fill rest with distilled. Burp. done.

PS- if you are starting the engine, there is no need to fool with block plugs.

For front bottle, if it is THAT nasty, you must pull and clean. if not, use this method:

Attach a longer hose to the line where you pull it off the tank in the engine compartment. MUST be long enough to reach the ground. syphon tank empty. refill with distilled, syphon again. refill to correct level with 50/50