Coolant change: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Nov. 9, 2009 10:21 a.m. neon4891 UltraDork

Time for a flush and fill of engine kool-aid. I'm just looking for some tips. I have done these before, but not in 6 years, IIRC.

Should I take the time to bring out the hose and really flush it out, or just let it drain on it's own.

If I flush it, I remember to fill it half way with strait anti-freeze then top it off with water, as there will still be water in the system. What is the capacity on the 1st gen neon? The .org lists it as 6.5 Qts (on 96-up), is that correct for the entire system? Unfortunetly my Hayes book is missing, and I dont have an owners manual.
Nov. 9, 2009 10:41 a.m. Dr. Hess PowerDork

A trick used in Esprit circles it to disconnect a radiator hose and stick a wet/dry shopvac on it and suck it all out that way. Then, depending on what you want, we use 1/3 antifreeze and 2/3 distilled water. That will give the best protection and cooling capacity, as water transfers heat better than antifreeze.

The best antifreeze is Toyota Red. It ain't cheap, but that's what I and many others use.
Nov. 9, 2009 11:32 a.m. mkiisupra New Reader

I've also ran the garden hose (hold your flames for a while) into the radiator hose to flush out older systems (too old to care about distilled vs tap)

If switching to 'red' coolants (Toyota, and other specials) be very complete about empy-ing the system. Traditional and red coolants mix together to make a lovely orange precipitate that tends to clog passages and make the 'flush' that much harder. Don't ask me how I know, it was before GRM had a forum...

Eric g
Nov. 9, 2009 3:54 p.m. neon4891 UltraDork

to be finished tomarrow... I lost the Rad. drain plug :facepalm: and can't get a new one till tomarrow
Nov. 9, 2009 8:45 p.m. pitbull113 New Reader

the best way to flush is to put garden hose in radiator and flush with car running. when the fluid coming out of the drain plug is clear and hot you're done.
Nov. 9, 2009 10:00 p.m. Jack SuperDork

pitbull113 wrote:

the best way to flush is to put garden hose in radiator and flush with car running. when the fluid coming out of the drain plug is clear and hot you're done.

+1

Also, use distilled water when you are ready to refill.

Jack
Nov. 9, 2009 10:41 p.m. driver109x Reader

Might as well change the t-stat too. With that I stick the garden hose in the t-stat housing, disconnect the lower rad hose and reverse flush it. I dont even bother draining the block especially if its hard to reach.
Nov. 10, 2009 9:30 a.m. iceracer HalfDork

Distilled water is a waste of money. Any potable water is sufficient. A 1/3-2/3 mixture may not have sufficient protection depending on where you live. Up here in NYS a 50/50 mixture is mandatory.