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Author Topic: Coolant flush  (Read 5370 times)

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Markie

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #60 on: 22 September 2007, 19:25:48 »
Quote
Bet you didn't run the engine between flushes.......  

By draining/filling you only get half the water out.  The remainder is still within the engine block and system and needs the engine run for a wee bit to circulate the water.  That dilutes the mix to a paler shade.  Drain, refill, restart and circulate then drain again... and again ... and again.   Then it will run clear, drain, refill and away you go....   :y

yep afraid your looking at 8 even 9 flushes for that perfect pink tinge......
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hotel21

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #61 on: 22 September 2007, 19:27:03 »
Ideally, run it to temp, cool it down then drain/refill.  All you need is to drain/refill, run it for, say, 5 minutes to circulate the water then drain etc several times.  Yes, it will take a few days this way.

Alternate if you feel confident is to place a hose in the water expansion tank and balance the amount of water going in with the amount draining out the radiator drain.  Start the engine and keep a GOOD eye on whats happening, water level wise.  Do not let it fall below minimum.  Leave it running (still watching  ;) ) until it all runs clear.
« Last Edit: 22 September 2007, 19:28:00 by hotel21 »
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VXL V6

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #62 on: 22 September 2007, 19:29:05 »
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damm it!

i knew id mess it up, only i could!


You haven't messed it up, if it hadn't been done for ages then you can only have improved the situation, think of it this way..... you haven't got so much flushing to do now!  :y
« Last Edit: 22 September 2007, 19:30:02 by VXL_V6 »
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Wayne

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #63 on: 22 September 2007, 19:32:20 »
right, so im back to VX on Monday then to buy ANOTHER 5 LITRES of the red stuff?
and i wasted £16 on Forte coolant flushing stuff that just p****d out all over the place

im VERY fedup

so, Monday....first of all, it`s empty the radiator again from cold? drain everything out straight away
put the radiator plug back in, fill up with water, start engine and leave running for how long exactly?
then let engine cool down, how long to cool down so i dont scold myself with the pressure from the header tank?
then empty again.... refill with water, plug back in, and do this how many times?
how do i know when the water is gonna be clear so that when i refill with the red stuff it actually stays red???

im stupid!
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Wayne

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #64 on: 22 September 2007, 19:42:25 »
okay, so im gonna do the HOSE thing!
what temperature do i run the car to on the gauge?

do i start the engine once its cooled right down and leave the radiator plug on the floor, and then just let the cold water run from the hose into the coolant bottle into the engine thats actually hotting up when its running? and do i put the heater on MAXIMUM like before on each turn of the engine running?
wont that crack something? by adding cold water to a hot engine? cylinder heads?

im just worried that i do all this, and then the murky blue stuff re-appears after i let it settle for 2 hours....
i seem to just be wasting money i can ill afford

« Last Edit: 22 September 2007, 19:51:23 by Wayne »
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hotel21

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #65 on: 22 September 2007, 20:01:19 »
OK, lets try a step at a time....   :y

From engine cold.....
Unscrew coolant filler cap and insert hose.  Water not running yet.
Put car heater on full hot and have heater fan running.
Unscrew drain tap.  Remember it does not need to be fully removed, only unscrew far enough so that you get a reasonable stream, leaving the red plastic bit still on the radiator.
Start hosepipe running so that input from hose equals output from drain.  You know its correct if the water level stays about the same in the header tank.
Start the engine.
Remember you are adding cold water to a cold engine that does not really get the chance to warm up properly as you are always substituting cold water in for the hot draining out.
Leave it running for about 20 minutes (should be enough) but ensure that it does not overheat by regularly checking the temp guage.  It might need longer.  When the water runs as clear as a clear thing, all should be good.
Switch off engine, switch off hose, leave drain tap running until it stops.
Close drain tap.
Let engine cool.
Add 5.5 litres neat red coolant.  Top up with cold water.
Still with heater on hot, with heater fan on and expansion cap OFF, start engine.  Regularly squeeze the large radiator hose (2" diam approx) beside battery to expell air into header tank.  Keep an eye on lthe water level topping up with cold until engine reaches normal operating temperature.  Replace coolant cap, take it for a short drive to ensure alls OK, then park up at home and leave it overnight.
In the morning check the level again and top it up.  It will have dropped slightly overnight.
Adjust the heater etc and drive as normal with a large smile on your coupon, confident in a job well done......

 ;)
« Last Edit: 22 September 2007, 20:05:09 by hotel21 »
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Wayne

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #66 on: 22 September 2007, 20:01:36 »
guys, will it be safe if i flush the system tomorrow with the hose as much as i can, probably 8 or 9 times etc etc
and then just leave plain water in there until i go to work on Monday, its only 8 miles there and back
then when i come home, flush it out again a few times, then add the red stuff?

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hotel21

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #67 on: 22 September 2007, 20:03:54 »
We posted at the same time. Leaving water only in the system will be fine for a day or two.  Just don't forget to add the coolant and don't rag the car too hard in the meantime.  The red coolant is antifreeze but also a corrosion inhibitor and water wetter/temp transfer agent as well.
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TheBoy

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #68 on: 22 September 2007, 20:04:08 »
Wayne - do it over period of a few days, as I said before.

Now you have done it a few times, you know how easy it is, and how quick to can do it.  So I would suggest draining and refilling with water daily for a week or so.  At this stage, coolant should be fairly clear, maybe slightly brown.  Then after a few days, drain it again, and chuck the 'Red' in.

Please note - if its going to be cold at night, you'll have to chuck the 'Red' in anyway...
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Wayne

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #69 on: 22 September 2007, 20:11:13 »
reckon i should drain and refill it 3-4 times per day for 1 week?

and making sure i run the engine between each flush?

so really i need to go and spend £25 on 2 big 5 litre tubs of the red stuff
as i will need to add it each night (incase) it gets cold?

this is all becoming more expensive than i imagined
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TheBoy

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #70 on: 22 September 2007, 20:15:37 »
Quote
reckon i should drain and refill it 3-4 times per day for 1 week?

and making sure i run the engine between each flush?

so really i need to go and spend £25 on 2 big 5 litre tubs of the red stuff
as i will need to add it each night (incase) it gets cold?

this is all becoming more expensive than i imagined
Keep an eye on the weather forecast ;)

I just bought a 20l drum of Red for £24.99 + VAT - advantages of TradeClub ;)


I suspect you are paying for years of poor servicing now.  Blue has a MAXIMUM life of 2 years - your 'at least 5yr old' stuff is going to take lots of flushing :(
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Wayne

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #71 on: 22 September 2007, 20:40:24 »
i suppose your right

i may get 20 litres aswell

i wonder IF we can have a competition to see who has to have the most flushes?

bet i win!

my car has had regular oil changes every 5000 miles, filters, etc etc
and the coolant has just been drained and refilled, but as far as im aware NEVER flushed like it should have been

i just popped out a minute ago, ran heater at HOT for 25 minutes
will make sure i do this everytime im in the car, damm..its gonna get boiling!
this is the best way to clean the crap out i take it?

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TheBoy

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #72 on: 22 September 2007, 20:46:36 »
Quote
i suppose your right

i may get 20 litres aswell

i wonder IF we can have a competition to see who has to have the most flushes?

bet i win!

my car has had regular oil changes every 5000 miles, filters, etc etc
and the coolant has just been drained and refilled, but as far as im aware NEVER flushed like it should have been

i just popped out a minute ago, ran heater at HOT for 25 minutes
will make sure i do this everytime im in the car, damm..its gonna get boiling!
this is the best way to clean the crap out i take it?

A 20l can is about £45 retail....   ...get a TC and start saving!
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Wayne

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #73 on: 22 September 2007, 20:48:39 »
i dont suppose ANYONE is popping to Vauxhall near me?
would be good to get 20 litres and NOT pay £45 !!
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Wayne

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Re: Coolant flush
« Reply #74 on: 23 September 2007, 16:46:59 »
Just done the first of todays coolant flushes after doing loads yesterday

does this brown lucky gunk ever go away?
after putting 5 litres in ox the VX red stuff yesterday, when i just emptied it, it was murky dirty orangey brown!

i drained, refilled, then ran engine on hot on the heater for 10 minutes

got the temperature up to 95

how long a time should i leave it to cool down?

gonna try and do this until dark tonight

then a million more times tomorrow!

DAMM THIS BROWN FILTH!!

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