I flushed my heater core today and it was nasty.... So I thought wow the rest of the system is probably just as nasty. So to the question, after flushing a cooling system with a garden hose how does all of the water get out so I can do the 50/50 mix of coolant? Does it just run out of i disconnect the Bottom radiator hose and use that to drain? Sorry for the newb question I've read many threads and Googled and couldn't seem to find the answer to my question. Also, while on the subject any tips or tricks would really be appreciated. Again sorry for the newb question just really don't want to mess up my jeep. Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

U won't get all the water out (at the water pump) but u will get most of it, especially if u elevate the rear while draining.

 

You'll get most but not all of it out of the block and radiator by pulling the lower rad hose. What I do is flush it at the very end with distilled water then mix up a slightly rich mixture of coolant to offset the remaining water in the block. You can always do another fill and drain with 50/50 coolant mix.

 

Not sure of all years , but my '94 4.0 engine has a drain plug and the coolant temp sensor on the lower left side, bottom of the block to drain it. Seems like about all the coolant could be drained from those openings.

One thing I have on a couple of my vehicles is a "Rad Cap" , which is a radiator cap with a sacrificial zinc anode attached to it, which hangs down in the coolant. The anode evidently absorbs the bad stuff instead of the cooling system components absorbing the acids etc.

Haven't put one in the Jeep yet. I'll try & find a link for those in case anyone is interested.

Here's a pic of one...



I couldn't copy a link, but it's available at www.nationalpartsdepot.com on page 207 for their online Chevelle catalog

Available in 7 lb, 13 lb, 16 lb, and 16 lb vented. all are $14.95

BILL

 

Will it hurt to have more water than coolant as long as it's pretty close to 50/50

 

Kinda depends on how cold it gets where you live, but figure what you need & just add maybe a quart, or even a pint of antifreeze to the reservoir to be sure of protection.
The system holds 12 quarts including the reservoir ......

 

I usually pour distilled water through everything until it runs clean. Then I add about 5 quarts of 100% antifreeze into the radiator and another quart or so of 50/50 into the expansion tank. Because of all the water left in the engine and parts adding 50/50 won't get you close enough to the right mix.

 

The specified coolant mix is 50/50, but it won't blow up if it's off a little. Unless you are able to fill the whole system from dry with pre-mixed coolant, it's hard to get it perfect. Since I'm in a cold area, I actually run 60/40. You can get one of those Prestone antifreeze testers (around $10) to adjust it as necessary.

There are two drains. The radiator drain at the bottom right corner of the radiator. The second is a plug in on the lower left side of the engine block. That gets 2 of the 3 major low points. The third is the heater core, and it can't be drained in place.

 

Should I flush each thing individually like flush the radiator by itself flush the engine by itself and the heater core by itself? And if so... What hoses do I take off and which hose do I run the water through.... Sorry for all the questions just don't want to mess up anything... And flushing with water then just adding 100% coolant should get about the right mix?

 

You should not exceed a 50% mix of Antifreeze in your system mixed with distilled water ONLY. It required many years for this to get through my thick skull of over mixing.

 

I've always just disconnected the lower radiator hose. Reconnected and filled with distilled water and let it run up to temp. Re-drained the system and filled with 50/50 mix. It's not exact but it's always seemed to work for me. The only concern would be leaving the water in the system too long before or after running it up to temp since it's below freezing outside where I'm at. I would drain the water immediately and fill with the 50/50 mix and start it back up to recirculate.

If the system is VERY dirty you'll have to do this a few times but I've personally never had to do it more than twice so I guess I've been lucky.

 

If I have a coolant tester than I can add coolant and it should be close enough that I can dilute or strengthen the mix after to get it perfect, right?

 

delete......double post

 

The Prestone jug says minimum 50%, maximum 70% coolant. Use your tester to see your freeze protection temp and go from there. Slightly heavy on the coolant side offers better corrosion/rust protection and more lube for the pump seal.

 

Thank ya'll for all the replies end everything!!