Hey guys, I'm about to do a coolant flush, its done 40,000km, but I dont have the money to pay someone to do it. I've done a couple of flushes before, but not on my TF. What I'd like to know is how to go about it to flush all current coolant properly and refilling procedures etc. Here's how I've done it in the past;

1. Release radiator plug at bottom
2. Once all drained, open radiator cap, and flush radiator with running water from hose for a couple of minutes til i see clean water.
3. I Start the engine with the heater on, and run engine for 15 minutes with fresh water flowing through the system and occasionally putting a few revs in and pumping the throttle at low/medium revs. (still leaving the radiator drain plug off of course)
4. Shut off engine, remove hose and allow radiator to drain til its drip free.
5. Replace radiator drain plug, then put coolant and demineralised water in, run engine and test, and top up until it sits fairly full in radiator.

Is this the way to go? It's never failed me in the past, but I havent done it on this car and I want to make sure I'm getting the right concentrate of coolant etc and if I am going the right way about it.

Cheers!
Kym

That's probably as complete a procedure as I see it. Go for it.

I doubt any mechanic/workshop would do steps 2 to 4 tho or use demineralised water. You could put in a $10 radiator flush one trip before your intended operation to loosen any build up dirt inside the cooling circuit.

:)

If that works for you - sounds reasonable to me (provided 3rd gens have radiator drain plugs - otherwise just disconnect the lower radiator hose from the radiator.

I usually seal and fill the radiator with fresh water for your "Step 3." and then repeat steps 1 and 2 before sealing it all up and refilling. A service manual will detail the type and quantity of fluid to refill with.

Cheers guys, might get some of that radiator flush just in case, even tho i checked the coolant condition and it looks like new, no rust or dirt or anything, was a bit shocked cos the car has done over 195k, but i'm doin it anyway before my 12 hour drive wednesday!
Cheers for replies again, I just wanted to double check before I did it, as I will be in the middle of nowhere a lot on wed!

some coolant flush thingos just dont do anything, or even leave crap in there... if your fluid looks fine and dirt free.. leave it.

if it aint broke... yada yada

So is there a bleeder screw to get all the air out of the system after you topped it up..?? whats the procedure for this..??

I think the way to get air out is to not quite completely fill it, and just squeeze the bottom hose a few times. This should move any air bubbles into the radiator itself and give them a chance to move up to the hole in the top :)

then fill completely.

Has anyone used vinegar to clean the cooling system? you should see the stuff it removes from a shower head!
I don't think it would harm the system, just fill radiator with a few litres of the stuff, top up with water run for 5 minutes or so and then flush with water?
Anyone game enough to try it? I might give it a go on my bike!

Cheers
Marc

Has anyone used vinegar to clean the cooling system? you should see the stuff it removes from a shower head!
I don't think it would harm the system, just fill radiator with a few litres of the stuff, top up with water run for 5 minutes or so and then flush with water?
Anyone game enough to try it? I might give it a go on my bike!

Cheers
Marc

Cant say I'm game mate. lol.

I just finished doing the flush myself, took me ages of flushes to get all the original coolant out, no dirt or anything so I was stoked. Took me about 1.5 hrs of flushing. I ran about 8 new full lots of fresh water and drained after about 5 minutes of idling and revving, seemed all drained on the last one. Then it took about 2.5 litres of mitsu coolant and drained my 5 or so litres of demineralised water. She'll be good for another 40,000k now. Now just gotta change the oil and filter for the trip.

Has anyone used vinegar to clean the cooling system? you should see the stuff it removes from a shower head!
I don't think it would harm the system, just fill radiator with a few litres of the stuff, top up with water run for 5 minutes or so and then flush with water?
Anyone game enough to try it? I might give it a go on my bike!

Cheers
Marc

I hear it does wonders on electric kettles / urns as well. Must be able to break down the 'calcification' like nothing else. I can't see how it would do any damage to anything in the engine or radiator - but I don't think I'll try it on my Magna. On the other hand, the missus's laser is playing up and running hot :shock: .