DontAsk
06-08-2004, 10:05 PM
This is how I do it...
I take it in two steps: Replace the coolant in the overflow and replace the coolant in the system.
Replace coolant from overflow:
1) Make sure engine is cold
2) I take the bottom hose (thick) hose off first.. and put it in a bucket. Drain coolant tank.
3) when that drains, put a garden hose in it the bottom thick hose
4) start the garden hose (not full capacity). because you haven't taken off the top hoses (return), but have taken off the bottom hose, water will continue to drain from the coolant tank.
5) turn it off when you see the water coming out of the coolant tank is clear.
Replace coolant in System:
6) Put the thick hose back into the lower point of the coolant tank.
7) take off lid of coolant tank
8) take off top two hoses of the coolant tank and put them into your bucket. these are your return hoses.
9) get someone to start your engine
10) put the garden hose into the coolant tank and switch on (not too much flowing water)
11) when you start the car, you'll notice clear water coming out of one of your return hoses... this is the water you replaced before. the aim now is to get your engine temperature up. when this happens, the thermostat will switch and you'll be able to get the coolant out of the remainder of your engine.... (this will be indicated by the coolant coming out of your other return hose)
12) keep waiting until you see the coolant start flowing from your other hose
13) when coolant starts flowing from the other hose, wait until you see clear water only
14) when you see clear water only, take out the garden hose and start putting in your coolant mixture
15) when you see the coolant mixture come out, turn off your engine, replace the coolant tap and return hoses and you're done!
NB: try to use as much water in your coolant mixture as you can. water is the bit which actually cools your engine! all the additive does is change the properties of the water so that it doesn't evaporate as easily.
I take it in two steps: Replace the coolant in the overflow and replace the coolant in the system.
Replace coolant from overflow:
1) Make sure engine is cold
2) I take the bottom hose (thick) hose off first.. and put it in a bucket. Drain coolant tank.
3) when that drains, put a garden hose in it the bottom thick hose
4) start the garden hose (not full capacity). because you haven't taken off the top hoses (return), but have taken off the bottom hose, water will continue to drain from the coolant tank.
5) turn it off when you see the water coming out of the coolant tank is clear.
Replace coolant in System:
6) Put the thick hose back into the lower point of the coolant tank.
7) take off lid of coolant tank
8) take off top two hoses of the coolant tank and put them into your bucket. these are your return hoses.
9) get someone to start your engine
10) put the garden hose into the coolant tank and switch on (not too much flowing water)
11) when you start the car, you'll notice clear water coming out of one of your return hoses... this is the water you replaced before. the aim now is to get your engine temperature up. when this happens, the thermostat will switch and you'll be able to get the coolant out of the remainder of your engine.... (this will be indicated by the coolant coming out of your other return hose)
12) keep waiting until you see the coolant start flowing from your other hose
13) when coolant starts flowing from the other hose, wait until you see clear water only
14) when you see clear water only, take out the garden hose and start putting in your coolant mixture
15) when you see the coolant mixture come out, turn off your engine, replace the coolant tap and return hoses and you're done!
NB: try to use as much water in your coolant mixture as you can. water is the bit which actually cools your engine! all the additive does is change the properties of the water so that it doesn't evaporate as easily.