Radiator Flush
Ever have one of those days? One of those days when
everything seems to go wrong? You woke up late, lost the car keys, you're late for
work and if that isn't enough your stang starts to piss coolant all over the place.
Well it probably could have been prevented.
Basic maintenance of the cooling system in your "Stang" will not only prevent
your Mustang from leaking antifreeze all over the place but it will also prevent a blown
head gasket, and other major engine damage. Many people get their oil changed often,
but how many remember to change their antifreeze/coolant?
To flush the radiator and change the antifreeze you'll need a drain pan big enough to hold
all of that coolant and water.
- To start you'll have to find the drain valve (also known as
a drain cock) on the radiator. Its on the side of the radiator pointing toward the engine,
and usually toward the bottom of the radiator.
- You may have to put the car on jack stands so you can get to
the drain valve, and to fit the drain pan under the car.
- Place the drain pan under the car near the drain valve.
- If the engine was just running then you'll have to let it
cool down before you proceed.
- Open the radiator cap, and then open the drain valve. (you
might need a pair of pliers)
- After all of the coolant drains you need to get the garden
hose out and start filling the radiator up with water. Leave the drain valve open so
the water can keep draining out as you pour it in. This will clean all of the old
rusty antifreeze out.
- Although running water through the radiator will clean the
coolant out it won't take most of the rust out so you might want to get some type of
radiator cleaner/flush from a local auto parts store. Just follow any directions
that comes with the cleaner. Usually you'll have to fill the radiator up with the cleaner
and water and run the engine for a few minutes, then you'll have to rinse it all out
again.
- After you let everything drain out then its time to tighten
the drain valve, and fill the radiator back up.
- There are actually two types of antifreeze. The regular
"green" kind, and some of the newer cars are using the "pink/orange"
kind. Its mostly GM cars that are using the pink stuff. Just use whatever type was in the
car when you bought it. You'll need to mix the antifreeze with with water. (a 50/50
mix is usually what is needed).
- Start the car with the radiator cap off. Let it run
until the thermostat opens, you'll know when its open when the coolant starts to flow
through the radiator. Put the cap on and let the car run for 5 minutes.
- After the car cools down open the radiator cap and fill it
to the top, if its not there already. Also fill the coolant reservoir.
Thats basically it. Now all you have to do is clean
everything up, and get rid of the old antifreeze. If you don't know, antifreeze is
poison, so don't leave it sitting there so your dog can drink it. What do you do
with the old antifreeze? you may be asking...
Usually you can bring it to the auto parts store and they'll dispose of it.
As always if you don't understand any of this, or if you need any help you can alway e-mail us with any questions you might have.
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for any damage you do to
your car or to yourself while working on your car. You work on your car at your
own risk. If you don't think you can do this yourself, bring it to a mechanic who
can.
Any modifications, repairs or maintenance can be very dangerous, so be careful!