Inventory of ALL coolant hoses--replacement time!

[SuperRob]

I had a 98 sunfire come in did everything we could, had to send it out for a head gasket.

And i would not waist my time with a chemical flush, as i have seen them do more harm then good, either take it to a rad shop and have it done the right way or just flush it out with a garden hose at home.

those sunfires are notorious for getting really bad air locks in them though. That could have caused the blown head gasket.

 

[thegoat4]

For flushing the cooling system, I use Cascade dish soap. It'll clean the grunge, residue, even oil out of it without hurting anything. And it's not toxic. Usually takes a couple of water rinses to get all of it back out, though. Just don't pour the powder straight in, mix it with water first.

Change your hoses, flush, dispose of the waste properly.

Unless you really go overboard, the old coolant, the flush, and both rinses should fit within a couple of 5-gallon buckets easily. Actually, last time I did my truck, it all fit in one bucket.

 

[Bryan22]

don't flush.

If I was you I would not flush the radiator at all. If it's not getting hot then leave it alone. Just change the fluid and call it good. Alot of times when u Try to flush these old radiators you end up plugging them up.... then you're done.

 

[flyingbrick]

So while we're on this topic: I assume everyone is somehow collecting the antifreeze, and disposing of it properly, right? Yeah, I'm an effin' treehugger, but would also appreciate any tips on how to safely accomplish this task...

Call rad shops around your town most will take it, and dispose if it properly.

 

[flyingbrick]

dexcool is horrible, why do you think gm cars all need intake reseals around 50,000 miles. they make a 100% waterless coolant (forget what its called) but prevents any rubber or gasket damage, and wont corrode any thing internally like water does.

I don't know what it is called ether, but it is silicone based, the computer geeks around here use it in there liquid cooled computers.

 

[MAKG]

So while we're on this topic: I assume everyone is somehow collecting the antifreeze, and disposing of it properly, right? Yeah, I'm an effin' treehugger, but would also appreciate any tips on how to safely accomplish this task...

You're in California.

Recycle it for free at the local dump.

Same deal for used oil, oil filters, batteries, most metal parts, etc.

Watch open containers of ethylene glycol antifreeze (for instance, whatever you drain the radiator into) VERY CAREFULLY as it will attract the neighborhood cats and they WILL drink it. Propylene glycol is less attractive (and I use it for that reason). If you spill any, wash it down before you leave; don't leave any puddles around.

 

[fixizin]

So if I do bypass the intake manifold, can I get the remaining rinse water out of there by blowing in one of the tubes? How big is that upper manifold water jacket, ounces-wise?

Will cooler intake air = more power?

PS: My county (Broward) has auto-fluids drop-off sites 2 days a week... no telling what they do with it... probably pay the mafia to dump it in a field.

 

[fixizin]

ALSO... while Cascade definitely cleans, wouldn't it by highly CORROSIVE?

Guess I'll see what the first flush looks like. If the grunge is all hose particles, it should clear up quickly.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

there isnt much in the intake mani...i'd say a matter of a cup or two at the most. compressed air into one of the nipples will likely expell most of the coolant out the other. cooler air does mean more power, but i wouldnt expect butt-dyno worthy improvements.

 

[fixizin]

D'OH!!... forgot about BYPASS stubbie... & reservoir hose...

... that's almost a 4-footer... oops... learnin' and churnin'...

Anyone ever use the Goodyear or other brand of *RED* (or BLUE) hoses? I'm tempted, just to make it easier on the eyes to sort stuff out.