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Forum namePerformance/Engine
Topic subjectCoolant change-How to???
Topic URLhttps://forums.2gnt.com/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=i5&topic_id=30719
30719, Coolant change-How to???
Posted by Doug96GS, Aug-21-02 08:06 AM
I'm gonna do this for the first time tommorrow. I know that it's pretty simple, but I wanna do it right. tia
30720, RE: Coolant change-How to???
Posted by weepul, Aug-21-02 09:29 AM
Hey no problem man, it was my first time 2 just a week ago. Get the coolant and an oil pan. If your car is lowered, jack up the car just behind the passengers side front tire just enough to fit the pan. Find the radiator bottom....it's really easy because there should be a short hose coming down. This hose comes down from a little pipe with a butterfly valve at the end. All you have to do is turn the valve and let it drain.

When it's done draining, close the valve and fill everything up with water. Run your engine with the heat on full until it gets to normal operating temp. Shut it off, drain it, and fill it 1 more time. This is 2 make sure you get out all the rust and contaminents.

Finally, I believe our cars hold about 7.4 liters ( correct me if i'm wrong), which is the size of about 1 jug of coolant and then some water to give a 70%/30% combo, which is never a bad idea. That's what I did anyway. Run your car for awhile with the heat on and then add more water later, as it will settle down. Hope this helps! Good luck!
30721, RE: Coolant change-How to???
Posted by Doug96GS, Aug-21-02 10:10 AM
What about the coolant reservoir tank?
30722, RE: Coolant change-How to???
Posted by taloniized, Aug-21-02 10:41 AM
Wow, there's a valve down there, i didn't know that.
30723, RE: Coolant change-How to???
Posted by JZA69, Aug-21-02 11:23 AM
Run a 50/50 mix of coolant and water....He's right about flushing out the radiatior...I would suggest you get a radiator cleaner from like Walmart or something like that which you run in the radiator for 10 minutes with it full of water...Also, when you refill the coolant, make sure you used de-ionized water...dont use tap water because its full of crap which is bad for the radiator..You can buy the water for like $1 a gallon at a grocery store in the laundry section. also, slide your overflow tank up and pull it out....drain it and make sure you clean it well because it will probably have gunk on the bottom of it (mine had a crapload)....then close the valve, refill the radiator until it doesnt take any more, then fill the overflow tank to just below the max line.......Run the car until up to operating temp, then check the coolant level in the overflow tank to make sure its ok
30724, RE: Coolant change-How to???
Posted by ez, Aug-21-02 11:51 AM
Yea, when I saw all that gunk in the resevoir I was like "OH CRAP! I waited too long - That must be what's in the block too!" but I guess it's normal?

Anyway, just to finish up this discussion and be proenvironment today- take that used coolant to a waste disposal site!