Flushing the radiator

[fullgrown]

Is this something I can do or do I have to take it to a radiator shop? I'm pretty solid when working on my truck but I've never done a radiator so I am curious.

 

[babytruck]

you could do it yourself. drain the rad and cooling system put the plug back in fill up with water run it for a bit with the heater on. open up and drain do this as many times as needed and when the waters coming out as clean as its going in fill it back up with a good 50/50 antifreeze. when you have the rad full turn the truck on and let your water pump pull the coolant through the system adding coolant as it will let you put it in. after a few the coolant will start to come out put the cap on and fill the overflow tank about half full and you should be good to go. anyone chime in if i missed something. oh yeah dont open the rad if its hot its under pressure. let us know how it goes.

 

[2813josh]

Add some radiator flush/cleaner to water and let it run 15 min or so..

 

[dopey fudd]

you can also back flush it. they sell a kit for it/.

 

[Rearanger]

Save yourself all the hassle and disposal problems, take it to a shop and pay them about $70 to flush, clean and refill the system using one of the commercial machines. After that every year just drain the rad (properly dispose of old coolant) and replace fluid with premix, that will keep the system in new condition.

 

[McCormack]

Drain the old antifreeze out for recycling purposes, then with the engine running and the heater on and the bottom petcock open stick a hose on the radiator filler neck and let the hose run and gush out of the the neck and the petcock until the water comes out clear. When it's clear then drain the water and refill with a 50/50 mix of distilled water and antifreeze.