Radiator Flush

[Nichboy]

What is the proper way to flush my radiator. I remember when i was a kid putting a garden hose in one of the heater hoses and running water through it, don't know if this was right or which hose i used. Need help here guys. Thanks

[Southpa]

Drain the system, chop through one of your heater hoses and install a T-connection. Forget which hose, they are different sizes so you better get the T first and figure it out. They (T connection) are just a cheap little plastic unit. Take the lower rad hose off the rad and hook a garden hose up to the T connection. Turn on the water and watch the gunk pour out.

[bouncytruck]

Don't they sell radiator flush kits? I think they have a piece that connects to your hose but I don't know how it hooks into the system.

[COBALT]

Yes they do. The kit recomends you put the spout in the main radiator kneck, and connect the garden hose to the "T" (the lower heater hose), start the water, start the truck, and let fluid fly out the top spout until it turns clear. I stuck a plastic hose onto the spout and drained the junk into a 5 gallon bucket.

I wouldn't screw around trying to disconnect the lower hose.

[1967LWBstepside]

Originally posted by bouncytruck
Don't they sell radiator flush kits? I think they have a piece that connects to your hose but I don't know how it hooks into the system.

I used to have a Prestone kit on mine. Worked well but the plastic T aged and eventually broke so if you install it, check it periodically so you won't get stranded anywhere after years of heat break it down.

It installed into the smaller of the two heater hoses if I remember correctly.

[Project1970]

I've had the Prestone kit on my truck for as long as I can remember and have yet to have any problems with it. I first started working on my truck 3 or 4 years ago and it was on there then; my guess is my dad installed it about 12 years ago or so. Of course, your mileage may vary.

[Ed ke6bnl]

What I did is to get a piece of water pipe tha t fit the lower hose and cut it about 5 in. and sealed one end off with a fitting for a garden hose. I drill a hole in the side at an angle drilled toward the open end and welded in a 1/2 in tube with a connector for my air compressor. Remove top hose connect tool to bottom hose and let fill with water and when it is running out let go with the air hose fitting and the crud will fly out. I have done this dozen of times on my old econoline pu that had sat for 14 years and developed rust in the block I have flushed bothe the block and the radiator. Stat needs removal for the block flush. I just made a tool the the radiator shop used the first time on my truck that cost me $30 dollars to get done. I could not have afford the consecutive clean out that were necessary to get the engine and rad clean. Not an issue any longer all is cleaned out. Ed ke6bnl Agua Dulce.