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coolaint flush question

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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 02:39 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by jeepxj19
what do you recommend I replace?
Nothing - YET. Keep it on the cheap initially...

First connect the garden hose to the flush kit, open all openable openings and turn on the water-works. If you don't have a flush kit installed then do that first and then hose/flush second. Flush with engine off until the outlets are running clear then start the engine with the water still flushing. Monitor the outlets for splooge/clarity then shut it all down. Close the system, top it off with water then run (or drive, staying close to home) until at operating temperature or nearing overheat, whichever comes first, just please be careful. Cool, drain and repeat flush-process again. During cooldown (but while still hot) carefully observe/sniff-around for steam or leaks from block-plug areas, radiator and heater-core, inspect all hoses for weaknesses (such as clamp cuts/bites, chafed spots and swollen areas), listen for steam-hiss-gurgle-pop sound sources and remember to think safe. If it almost (or did) overheated during the drive/run then drain system and replace T-stat and any other identified defective components then prepare your coolant premix (do your own or buy it that way). Your option, and advisable, would be to flush again due to contaminant trapped by previously defective T-stat. Last, refill system with coolant. Good Luck.
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Cherryokee

Nothing - YET. Keep it on the cheap initially...

First connect the garden hose to the flush kit, open all openable openings and turn on the water-works. If you don't have a flush kit installed then do that first and then hose/flush second. Flush with engine off until the outlets are running clear then start the engine with the water still flushing. Monitor the outlets for splooge/clarity then shut it all down. Close the system, top it off with water then run (or drive, staying close to home) until at operating temperature or nearing overheat, whichever comes first, just please be careful. Cool, drain and repeat flush-process again. During cooldown (but while still hot) carefully observe/sniff-around for steam or leaks from block-plug areas, radiator and heater-core, inspect all hoses for weaknesses (such as clamp cuts/bites, chafed spots and swollen areas), listen for steam-hiss-gurgle-pop sound sources and remember to think safe. If it almost (or did) overheated during the drive/run then drain system and replace T-stat and any other identified defective components then prepare your coolant premix (do your own or buy it that way). Your option, and advisable, would be to flush again due to contaminant trapped by previously defective T-stat. Last, refill system with coolant. Good Luck.
Do u have a simpler version of how to flush the system? Again iv nvr done it so I dont rlly kno what to do, what should I buy? Doesnt walmart sell a flush kit?
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 03:00 PM
  #18  
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Ok I understand how to flush the system now, but when im running the water through it, should I add it into the coolaint reservoir bottle, or through the radiator by removing the cap and filling it up that way, sorry if its a stupid question.

Last edited by jeepxj19; Jul 21, 2011 at 03:12 PM.
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 03:24 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by jeepxj19
Ok I understand how to flush the system now, but when im running the water through it, should I add it into the coolaint reservoir bottle, or through the radiator by removing the cap and filling it up that way, sorry if its a stupid question.
There's no such thing as a stupid question - unless you count the ones that don't get asked.

Okay then, so you found a flush kit at Walmart and you understand the concept - that's good. Did you find the kit that requires you to cut one heater hose to install the tee fitting for connecting a garden hose?

The coolant reservoir bottle is a peripheral, it's just a catch-and-retrieve bottle and not a flow-through container. It will not be flushed while using the flush kit. You can flush it out separately by popping the top and stuffing a hose in it then flooding it out.
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 03:25 PM
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U can't get a more simple, or better, flush than when the t-stat cover and water pump are both removed, stick a garden hose into the t-stat hole. This will flush both the head and block.....nothing will do it better.
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Cherryokee

There's no such thing as a stupid question - unless you count the ones that don't get asked.

Okay then, so you found a flush kit at Walmart and you understand the concept - that's good. Did you find the kit that requires you to cut one heater core hose to install the tee fitting for connecting a garden hose?

The coolant reservoir bottle is a peripheral, it's just a catch-and-retrieve bottle and not a flow-through container. It will not be flushed while using the flush kit. You can flush it out separately by popping the top and stuffing a hose in it then flooding it out.
I havnt gotten the flush kit yet, and im pretty sure I dont have a pressure bottle... Heres a pic
Attached Thumbnails coolaint flush question-forumrunner_20110721_162746.jpg  
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 03:31 PM
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That top rad hose doesn't look correct for a '98, no?
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 03:40 PM
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Originally Posted by djb383
That top rad hose doesn't look correct for a '98, no?
that hose was on it when I bought it., arnt I suppost to have a pressure bottle? All I see is a reservoir bottle and radiator cap..
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 03:51 PM
  #24  
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It's the same as mine. Not a pressure bottle and not a flow-through. It's just as I expected - a burp and sip bottle - for which, by the way, coolant is burped-out of and sipped-in to your system via the valving of your radiator cap - that's why the cap has a specific pressure rating. The kit should include a Tee fitting with a gasketed cap, a pair of clamps and a hose adapter (adapts two male hose fittings). Some also include a hose-adapter spout that fits the radiator neck. Expect to pay retail ~$12-$16.

djb383, you may be right. I have a '99 and, while there're many similarities, the top hose routing appears different. Maybe it's due to the size and type of A/C compressor because mine runs over the top of the compressor rather than around the back end. Form follows function as they say.
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 04:01 PM
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Im gonna flush the system tonight, if I replace the tstat later is there a way I can replace it with out having to completely drain the system again?
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by jeepxj19
Im gonna flush the system tonight, if I replace the tstat later is there a way I can replace it with out having to completely drain the system again?
Since the T-stat is near the top of the system then you'll only have to drain down enough to evacuate the top of the system. Simply connect the garden hose to the tee, disconnect the garden hose from the spigot and let gravity siphon the water from the top of the system (you can help it if you want to but you'll need good whiskey to wash any coolant out of your mouth).
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Cherryokee

Since the T-stat is near the top of the system then you'll only have to drain down enough to evacuate the top of the system. Simply connect the garden hose to the tee, disconnect the garden hose from the spigot and let gravity siphon the water from the top of the system (you can help it if you want to but you'll need good whiskey to wash any coolant out of your mouth).
So just attatch a hose to the drain plug on the bottem of the rad, drain it a bit, install new tstat, and refill correct? I think im gonna get a new rad cap too, might as well.
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 04:39 PM
  #28  
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if you ran bars leak in there that would create sludge in this weather
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 04:40 PM
  #29  
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i think lol
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Old Jul 21, 2011 | 05:01 PM
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Originally Posted by jeepxj19
that hose was on it when I bought it., arnt I suppost to have a pressure bottle? All I see is a reservoir bottle and radiator cap..
Think the correct hose for a '98 is something like this. Looks like u r missing a compressor bolt.
Attached Thumbnails coolaint flush question-003.jpg  

Last edited by djb383; Jul 21, 2011 at 05:04 PM.
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