flushing the coolant system? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

proboner · 03-27-2004, 11:35 PM

my coolant system is TRASHED, its got all kinds of crap built up in it. can anyone suggest a method for flushing it, and a chemical or something that can take care of all the sludge without ruining seals and whatnot?

sneakysnake · 03-27-2004, 11:59 PM

You may want to take the radiator to the shop and have it rodded
as for as the rest of the system take a garden hose and flush the system by filling and removing the lower hose several times.

Southpa · 03-28-2004, 05:01 AM

I cut the upper hose going to the heater core and install a plastic TEE fitting made for this very purpose (available at autoparts, hardware, etc. stores). Your garden hose then screws onto that. Then undo the lower rad hose for an outlet and turn on the water. When you are done just screw the cap on the TEE fitting.

jef5150 · 03-28-2004, 07:57 AM

it looks like your heater core is is being bypassed, more than likely p/o did this cause it leaks. i would hook up the hoses to the heater core to make sure the heater core is ok first , then back flush the system.If the radiator is as bad as you say, the heater core is gonna be in the same shape. jeff

*67Fleetsidedream* · 03-28-2004, 12:18 PM

I agree with the back flushing. I rodded out my own radiator. A propane torch, a little wire brush, 1/8in rod stock and a roll of soder is all that is needed. The radiator flushes that you can buy at the parts store is junk.

proboner · 03-28-2004, 04:15 PM

alright ive got an idea of my own, tell me how stupid you think it is... ill bypass the heater core (which appearantly is already done) bypass the radiator, and just turn the beast on and run it until it warms up. hopefully having some hot water running thru it will clean all that crap off. ill do that a few times changing the water in between cycles. while im doing that ill take the radiator out and pour some kind of chemical (carb cleaner? seems to kill everything else?) in there and mix it up real nice in an attempt to get anything out of there. once im all done ill install a new water pump and reconnect everything and hopefully all will be well. so this is the part where you all tell me im a moron.

*67Fleetsidedream* · 03-28-2004, 04:33 PM

MORON!!!!!!!

:p

cableguy0 · 03-28-2004, 05:00 PM

buy a new radiator take a garden hose with a cut off end and clamp it to one of the heater hose ports on the motor
turn the hose on let it run till the water comes out clear. put on your new radiator and heater core. no more problems

03-27-2004, 11:35 PM	#1
proboner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: mountain view, ca Posts: 28	flushing the coolant system? my coolant system is TRASHED, its got all kinds of crap built up in it. can anyone suggest a method for flushing it, and a chemical or something that can take care of all the sludge without ruining seals and whatnot? __________________ 1993 ford probe gt- 15.2@90.7 http://www.cardomain.com/id/pr0b0ner 1969 chevy c10 pickup- bought for $100 at an impound lot... always wanted a 1972 blazer cst, but this will do for now!

03-28-2004, 05:01 AM	#3
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,409	I cut the upper hose going to the heater core and install a plastic TEE fitting made for this very purpose (available at autoparts, hardware, etc. stores). Your garden hose then screws onto that. Then undo the lower rad hose for an outlet and turn on the water. When you are done just screw the cap on the TEE fitting. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first. Last edited by Southpa; 03-28-2004 at 05:05 AM.

03-28-2004, 07:57 AM	#4
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	it looks like your heater core is is being bypassed, more than likely p/o did this cause it leaks. i would hook up the hoses to the heater core to make sure the heater core is ok first , then back flush the system.If the radiator is as bad as you say, the heater core is gonna be in the same shape. jeff Attached Images

03-28-2004, 04:15 PM	#6
proboner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: mountain view, ca Posts: 28	alright ive got an idea of my own, tell me how stupid you think it is... ill bypass the heater core (which appearantly is already done) bypass the radiator, and just turn the beast on and run it until it warms up. hopefully having some hot water running thru it will clean all that crap off. ill do that a few times changing the water in between cycles. while im doing that ill take the radiator out and pour some kind of chemical (carb cleaner? seems to kill everything else?) in there and mix it up real nice in an attempt to get anything out of there. once im all done ill install a new water pump and reconnect everything and hopefully all will be well. so this is the part where you all tell me im a moron. __________________ 1993 ford probe gt- 15.2@90.7 http://www.cardomain.com/id/pr0b0ner 1969 chevy c10 pickup- bought for $100 at an impound lot... always wanted a 1972 blazer cst, but this will do for now!

03-28-2004, 05:00 PM	#8
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	buy a new radiator take a garden hose with a cut off end and clamp it to one of the heater hose ports on the motor turn the hose on let it run till the water comes out clear. put on your new radiator and heater core. no more problems __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

03-27-2004, 11:59 PM	#2
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	You may want to take the radiator to the shop and have it rodded as for as the rest of the system take a garden hose and flush the system by filling and removing the lower hose several times.

03-28-2004, 12:18 PM	#5
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	I agree with the back flushing. I rodded out my own radiator. A propane torch, a little wire brush, 1/8in rod stock and a roll of soder is all that is needed. The radiator flushes that you can buy at the parts store is junk.

03-28-2004, 04:33 PM	#7
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	MORON!!!!!!! :p



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