flushing out of the coolant system
 

When flushing out of the coolant system does anyone empty the radiator too? Does anyone know the best steps to take? I was thinking of changing to Evans coolant what are the steps for this? because I know its not good to mix with water at all.

:wallbash: :wallbash: :wallbash: :wallbash: :wallbash: :wallbash: :wallbash:

or if some ones already gone over what im askin, please dont stone me it was a simple mistake :Kill1:

cheers lads any help would be great

well if you do choose to flush it out completely the best method i can suggest is to drain out as much as possible and fill it with water than flush it again.

to drain the system as completely as possible:

1) remove the undertray plastic shield from under the car
2) allow the engine to cool
3) remove the engine cooling system filler cap and AST caps
4) remove radiator drain plug(middle of the bottom of the raditor) and drain it completely
5) remove engine block drain plug (driver's side bottom of the center iron on the engine, a small 14mm bolt is there) and drain the engine
6) install a garden hose into the engine and flush the engine out until the water out of the block is clear
7) reinstall the block drain plug
8) flush the radiator until the water comes out clear and install the radiator drain plug.
9) fill the system with straight water and run the engine for about 5 minutes
10) drain the radiator and engine block
11) flush with water one last time
12) reinstall drain plugs

now the cooling system should be about as clean as you will get it, you can repeat the procedure a few times for a more throrough flush but it should be pretty damn clean... or you can install a flush kit but flush kits add a weak point to the system with the plastic coupler which tends to fail.

You should be able to reach the both drain plugs without removing the tray, as long as you have the stock rad in the stock location. There's a hole in the tray to reach the drain plug in the rad. Though it might be a wee bit messier than not removing the tray.

ive got a front mounted intercooler as well would i need to do anything to that and the cars low as fuck about 4 inch of the ground. would it be best to take it to a garage and talk them them though it? cos they dont av a clue round here or should i try and get in on blocks? and get a jack under?

wheres the best place to add coolant mixture at? say that the engine has just got pure water in at the moment would i just take a hose off and drain some of the water out and add the coolant in or is there a better way of doing this?

cheers :MissileSm

http://www.fd3s.net/cooling_system_flush.html

^ is what I do. I usually just do it once a year, and not bother with the whole 'rinse' cycle using distilled water. If you're trying to change to Evans, I believe you need to get it all to pure water first, so you'll need to do the procedure a few times.

Dave

If the car's really low (mine is 3" off the ground @ the front) then jack up the side with the standard jack until there's enough room at the front to get a proper jack under there...messy but it works :) Such are the hassles of having such a low car.

Cant get a jack at the side because of the side skirts lol, have to go 10 mins outa my way to get to work to avoid bumps and drops in the road lol. good idea tho

Has anyone ever tried the machine flush that supposedly replaces all the coolant in the system? Any negatives effects to the seals with doing it this way?

Has anyone got a picture of the drain plug on the engine block besides the one on the FD3S site?