Safety First:
* Let the engine cool completely before starting. Hot coolant can cause serious burns.
* Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from splashes.
* Work in a well-ventilated area. Coolant is toxic.
* Dispose of used coolant properly. Check your local regulations for proper disposal methods. Auto parts stores often accept used coolant for recycling.
Tools and Materials You'll Need:
* Drain pan: Large enough to hold at least 5 gallons (the system holds more than just the radiator).
* Wrench: Suitable for the radiator drain petcock (usually a small valve at the bottom of the radiator).
* Socket wrench and ratchet: For removing the lower radiator hose. Size will depend on your specific vehicle (check your owner's manual or visually inspect).
* Funnel: For refilling the system.
* New coolant: Use the correct type and amount specified in your owner's manual (usually a 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water).
* Hoses: To help direct the flow of coolant during draining and flushing. Optional but helpful.
* Garden hose: For flushing the system (optional, but recommended).
* Shop rags or paper towels: For cleanup.
* Flush (optional): Radiator flush chemical from an auto parts store. Follow the instructions on the package carefully.
Procedure:
1. Locate the radiator drain petcock: This is usually located at the bottom of the radiator. It's a small valve that you can open and close.
2. Position the drain pan: Place the drain pan under the radiator drain petcock.
3. Open the drain petcock: Carefully open the valve to drain the coolant into the drain pan. This will drain most of the coolant from the radiator, but not the entire cooling system.
4. Remove the lower radiator hose: Locate the lower radiator hose (the hose connecting the radiator to the engine). Using your socket wrench, carefully loosen and remove the clamp securing the hose to the radiator. Then, disconnect the hose. More coolant will drain out. Let it drain completely.
5. Flush the system (Optional but highly recommended):
* Method 1 (Using a garden hose): Reconnect the lower radiator hose to the radiator (loosely), then use a garden hose to run water into the radiator. Open the drain petcock to let the water flow out. Continue this process until the water runs clear. You'll want to be sure to get water into both the radiator and the engine block. This is best done with the thermostat removed. You can do this by removing the upper radiator hose or possibly by using a thermostat removal tool.
* Method 2 (Using a radiator flush): Follow the instructions on the radiator flush product you purchased. Usually, you add the flush to the cooling system, run the engine for a specified time, and then drain the system. After this flush, you'll want to flush it again with clean water as instructed in Method 1.
6. Reconnect the lower radiator hose: Once the flushing is complete, replace the lower radiator hose and securely tighten the clamp.
7. Refill the radiator: Using a funnel, carefully pour the correct amount and type of coolant (50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water, unless your owner's manual specifies otherwise) into the radiator.
8. Bleed the air from the system: This is crucial to prevent overheating. Start the engine and let it run until the thermostat opens (usually indicated by the upper radiator hose getting warm). Check the coolant level and add more as needed. Some vehicles have a bleed screw on the engine block or radiator; consult your owner's manual for its location and procedure. You may need to squeeze upper radiator hoses to encourage air out of the system.
9. Check for leaks: Once the system is filled, inspect for any leaks around the hoses and connections.
10. Dispose of used coolant properly: Take the used coolant to an auto parts store or recycling center for proper disposal.
Important Note: This guide provides a general overview. Refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for specific instructions and torque specifications. If you are not comfortable performing this task yourself, it's best to take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic. Improperly flushing your cooling system can lead to engine damage.
