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Coolant flush?

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Old Jan 8, 2015 | 01:51 PM
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Default Coolant flush?

Hey guys. Out of all the jeeps and vehicles I have had, I have never had one that the coolant was real nasty looking on. I have pulled heads off and everything else on other motors, but not strictly to flush the coolant.

So with that being said, I don't know the best way to do it. Heat is working fine, but I tested the antifreeze and it has quite a bit of water in it, and nasty looking. I know Prestone makes those kits where you tap into one of your heater lines, but never used them. Worth getting or no?
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Old Jan 8, 2015 | 02:07 PM
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Here's how we flush it.......remove the heater hose and rad hose from the t-stat cover. Remove the rad hose from the water pump. Stick a garden hose in the heater hose and flush. Stick the garden hose in the heater hose nipple on the stat cover and flush. Stick the garden hose in the top rad hose and flush. Flushing this way prevents loose crud from one area entering another.
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Old Jan 8, 2015 | 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by djb383
Here's how we flush it.......remove the heater hose and rad hose from the t-stat cover. Remove the rad hose from the water pump. Stick a garden hose in the heater hose and flush. Stick the garden hose in the heater hose nipple on the stat cover and flush. Stick the garden hose in the top rad hose and flush. Flushing this way prevents loose crud from one area entering another.
Sounds like a plan! Do you know offhand how much antifreeze these hold?
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Old Jan 8, 2015 | 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by matholland
Sounds like a plan! Do you know offhand how much antifreeze these hold?
U'll need at least 2 gals, probably closer to 2 1/2 gals of 50/50 to completely refill it. If it's possible, but not necessary, jack up the rear of the XJ to allow for slightly better/more drainage of old/flushed coolant. XJ on level ground when re-filling.

U can't re-fill the system too slowly. The slower, the better, stop pouring frequently, to allow air to rise/burp.

Last edited by djb383; Jan 8, 2015 at 02:57 PM.
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Old Jan 8, 2015 | 03:14 PM
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What he said. And don't forget to flush the heater core in both directions. Disconnect both hoses first, of course.

Last edited by IJM; Jan 8, 2015 at 04:34 PM.
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Old Jan 8, 2015 | 03:17 PM
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There's only 1 heater hose attached to the t-stat housing.....the other heater hose attaches to the water pump.
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Old Jan 8, 2015 | 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by djb383
There's only 1 heater hose attached to the t-stat housing.....the other heater hose attaches to the water pump.
Oh yeah, duh. It wouldn't work too will with both hoses connecting to the same place, now would it?

I just pictured it in my head quickly that way since the rubber hoses end up in roughly the same place, forgetting the metal pipe that's routed up from the water pump.
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