Changing/Flushing Anti-Freeze Procedure?
Rookie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
Since the system is going to be empty, you could use this opportunity to change the thermostat as well.
The amount of hardened deposits and crap that came out of the bottom of my block when I pulled the drain plugs was astounding... I think someone had mixed the green and red coolant together at some point in my truck's life.
The amount of hardened deposits and crap that came out of the bottom of my block when I pulled the drain plugs was astounding... I think someone had mixed the green and red coolant together at some point in my truck's life.
Man, I had to buy 5 gallons plus a new radiator when I did my plenum (poked it with the fan shroud)
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,204
Likes: 10
From: Gainesville, Ga.
radiator drain plug is a bit tricky. drivers side, down at the bottom. it's plastic, so use a pair of pliers and be gentle. to open, turn counter clockwise about 1/4 turn. to completely remove, after that first 1/4 turn, pull out, and turn another 1/4 turn and it will come completely out. it has an o-ring, so check that. drain flow on that first 1/4 turn is slow. with plug removed its fast.
be aware that if you don't remove the drain plugs in the block, then about 2 gallons of whatever is in the bottom of the block will remain there. there's a pipe plug on each side, hiding behind the engine mount. caution - don't round them off or you'll never get them out. if you can remove those plugs, you'll get a much better job, and much faster.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-radiator.html
so - if you remove block plugs and the t-stat, you can use the water hose and flush both the block and the radiator thoroughly from top to bottom and all the tap water will drain out. (also flush your heater core both ways). then simply refill everything with 50/50 mix.
if you don't remove the block plugs, then you end up with 2 gallons of water or old antifreeze mix in the bottom of the block, so you may have to refill with 100% antifreeze to end up with the 50/50 mix.
if you have hard water with calcium and minerals in it - don't leave that in the block - or it will settle out and stop up your radiator. the best approach is to never leave any tap water in the system. distilled water only. walmart has it for about .75 per gallon. distilled only - not spring water.
if you are not going to remove the drain plugs, then just drain the radiator. refill with 50/50 mix. drive it some. repeat 2 or 3 more times. done.
be aware that if you don't remove the drain plugs in the block, then about 2 gallons of whatever is in the bottom of the block will remain there. there's a pipe plug on each side, hiding behind the engine mount. caution - don't round them off or you'll never get them out. if you can remove those plugs, you'll get a much better job, and much faster.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-radiator.html
so - if you remove block plugs and the t-stat, you can use the water hose and flush both the block and the radiator thoroughly from top to bottom and all the tap water will drain out. (also flush your heater core both ways). then simply refill everything with 50/50 mix.
if you don't remove the block plugs, then you end up with 2 gallons of water or old antifreeze mix in the bottom of the block, so you may have to refill with 100% antifreeze to end up with the 50/50 mix.
if you have hard water with calcium and minerals in it - don't leave that in the block - or it will settle out and stop up your radiator. the best approach is to never leave any tap water in the system. distilled water only. walmart has it for about .75 per gallon. distilled only - not spring water.
if you are not going to remove the drain plugs, then just drain the radiator. refill with 50/50 mix. drive it some. repeat 2 or 3 more times. done.