Materials needed:
- Garden hose
- 5-gallon bucket
- Radiator flush (or vinegar/baking soda solution)
- Funnel
- Pliers
- Screwdriver
- Safety goggles
Procedure:
1. Cool Engine and Safety Precautions:
- Allow the engine to cool completely.
- Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes.
2. Open Radiator Cap:
- If the engine is cool, carefully remove the radiator cap (usually marked "radiator" or has a radiator symbol).
- Be cautious as there might still be some pressure in the system.
3. Attach Garden Hose:
- Attach one end of the garden hose to the faucet and the other end to the petcock on the bottom of the radiator (usually a small valve or drain plug).
4. Locate Heater Hose:
- Follow the upper radiator hose to where it connects to the engine block.
- Locate the smaller heater hose that connects to a fitting near the top of the engine.
5. Remove Heater Hose:
- Use pliers or a screwdriver to loosen and remove the clamp holding the heater hose.
- Pull the hose off the fitting (there might be a small amount of coolant that spills out).
6. Flush the System:
- Open the water faucet fully.
- With the heater hose still disconnected, allow water from the garden hose to flow through the radiator and engine.
- Let it run for a few minutes or until the water coming out of the radiator is clear.
7. Add Radiator Flush:
- Close the water faucet.
- Reconnect the heater hose and secure the clamp.
- If using a commercial radiator flush, add it to the radiator as per package instructions.
- If using a vinegar/baking soda solution, add half a cup of baking soda to the radiator, then add one gallon of white vinegar.
- Fill the rest of the radiator with water.
8. Run Engine:
- Start the engine and let it run for about 15-20 minutes.
- This allows the radiator flush or solution to circulate throughout the cooling system.
9. Drain the Radiator:
- Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down again.
- Position the 5-gallon bucket under the radiator drain petcock.
- Open the petcock and let the radiator flush or coolant mixture drain out.
- Allow it to drain completely.
10. Rinse the System:
- Reconnect the garden hose to the radiator and open the water faucet.
- Let fresh water run through the system again for a few minutes to rinse out any remaining radiator flush or solution.
11. Refill the Radiator:
- Close the petcock and remove the garden hose.
- Reattach the radiator cap.
- Refill the radiator with the required amount of fresh coolant (usually a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water).
12. Run the Engine:
- Start the engine and let it run for a few minutes.
- Check the coolant level and add more if needed.
13. Test Drive:
- Take the vehicle for a short test drive to ensure the cooling system is working properly.
By following these steps, you can effectively flush the radiator and replenish the cooling system of your 1996 Blazer 4.3 L Vortec V6. Remember to dispose of the old coolant and radiator flush responsibly.
