Coolant Flush (Page 1/6)
85fieroguy SEP 08, 10:18 PM
Oh boy, here we go. have been told to do my own cooling system flush, by raising the rear end, drain the radiator, unscrew the Allen drain plugs ( in front of rear wheels and take the risk of non removal because of rust or breaking them off), put in a new 195* thermostat, fill with a 50-50mixture and...here is where it gets chancy...retorque the cylinder head bolts ( 65-75)....WHY ???? Is it better and safer to have it done at your local car service center ?? need your input as to if you ever did your own or had it done.
Formula88 SEP 09, 12:13 AM
You don't touch the cylinder head bolts, and you don't need to drain from the allen plugs in the cooling pipes. (although I've done it and it's very convenient).
A safer, albiet messier, way is to remove the rubber hose where it attaches at the coolant pipe near the rear wheel.

This has all the info you need on the refill procedure.
http://home.comcast.net/~fierocave/coolfill.htm

Also, if you raise the rear, you'll never get the water out of the radiator since it's lower than your drain point. Flat ground is fine. Sometimes raising the rear can help burp out air bubbles when refilling, but if you follow the instructions at the link it's not a problem.
theogre SEP 09, 10:56 AM

quote
Originally posted by 85fieroguy:
... fill with a 50-50mixture and... retorque the cylinder head bolts ( 65-75)....WHY ????


Never do these.
50/50 after flush leave coolant Very weak. Is basically worthless for freeze boil and corrosion protection.
You NEVER mess w/ most bolts. "Re-torquing" them causes many problems. Good way to break them and parts they connect.

You must drain radiator and coolant pipes to remove water after flush to get ~7 quarts of straight coolant in the system.
(Engine block have drain holes but you can't get at them and don't need to mess w/ them at any rate.)

Pipe drain plug... use Teflon pipe dope or tape and do not use force to tighten. This small fitting you only need to tighten to a "snug" fit w/ only finger effort.

I use Prestone and others 5 years coolant.
Pepboys and others take used coolant and oil.

Correct link is fierocave.shorturl.com/coolfill.htm
See my Cave, Coolant Fill

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top and bottom of every forum page...)

Patrick SEP 09, 03:45 PM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

...get ~7 quarts of straight coolant in the system.



Perhaps I can get away with it as it's relatively mild here on the west coast in the winter, but I've only ever added one jug (4 quarts/litres) of concentrated anti-freeze after flushing the cooling system in my Fieros.
Formula88 SEP 09, 05:08 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

Perhaps I can get away with it as it's relatively mild here on the west coast in the winter, but I've only ever added one jug (4 quarts/litres) of concentrated anti-freeze after flushing the cooling system in my Fieros.



Have you ever measured your coolant strength? A tester is only about $3. If it protects to a low enough temp, you're good.
When I flush my system I drain as much as I can then add two gallons of full strength anti-freeze and top off the rest with water.
Patrick SEP 09, 05:18 PM

quote
Originally posted by Formula88:

Have you ever measured your coolant strength?



No, but I've been doing it this way since 1974 (since 1994 with Fieros) and have never had an issue.

With global warning I should continue to be good to go.

Formula88 SEP 09, 11:25 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

No, but I've been doing it this way since 1974 (since 1994 with Fieros) and have never had an issue.

With global warning I should continue to be good to go.



Glad that's working for you. Don't spend the $3 you saved all in one place.
Notorio SEP 11, 11:57 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:
With global warning I should continue to be good to go.



Patrick, you have not been properly trained -- Global Warming causes Extreme Weather, not necessarily local warming (ahem). So your Fieros could be at increased risk to more severe freezing events after all ...
Patrick SEP 12, 12:19 AM

quote
Originally posted by Notorio:

Patrick, you have not been properly trained -- Global Warming causes Extreme Weather, not necessarily local warming (ahem).



Oh, I purposely threw in the bit about "global warning" as it appears to drive some PFF members crazy.
85fieroguy SEP 18, 12:26 PM
Thanks guys for the info. Guess when the flush has not been done since 85....its time.