AutoZone How-To: Flushing and Filling Your Cooling System

Your car's cooling system is the number one reason for engine-related breakdowns on the road. Learn how to properly flush and fill your cooling system regularly, and protect your engine, with this helpful guide. You can find everything you need for the job at your nearest AutoZone.
For more helpful advice, visit: www.autozone.com/diy/engine-c...
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[@Shiznit304]

6:09 pulls out funnel to pour in directly, spilling everywhere lol

[@clapclapscream]

I cringed so hard

[@k.m.2874]

Like a true mechanic. 😂😂😂

[@drafter16_4freedom]

Step one: make sure engine is cool before opening the radiator cap!!!

[@ApartmentKing66]

Awww, that's no fun! You ain't lived 'til you've spent a few days in the burn unit! Buzz kill.

[@KronicDaydreamZ]

He said that.

[@codymiller3444]

What if you melted the cap?

[@BRO.JUSTIN]

@@codymiller3444 step 0: throw the car away

[@claveecl1564]

@@BRO.JUSTIN lmao

[@eduardthornton1272]

Truly appreciate your thoroughly professional video. You know exactly what you're doing and it shows in many ways. I look forward to many of your other videos. You are my trusted source.

[@ApartmentKing66]

Seriously? Heaven help you.

[@vernonstapleton4286]

@@ApartmentKing66 ohh liars I'm going down. Have duh devil fflush it

[@zichragland8880]

Thanks you Mr. Auto Zone....... or dad. :)

[@TJones-ve8wd]

What he failed to mention was that there is quite a bit of water left in the engine block even after the radiator is drained. So, when he added a mix of 50/50, what the engine actually ended up with was weaker than that due to the water left in the engine block. The better way to do this is to add half the capacity in straight antifreeze, then top off with distilled water.

[@greenram1996]

You're right T. Jones. When you drain the radiator like this you're only getting out about half of what's in the entire cooling system. There's still water left in the engine block and heater core. If you use the 50/50 mix to refill, you're getting a diluted mix. I would use the straight antifreeze when refilling as you suggested.

[@robran53]

completely correct. almost all of these videos fail to mention that fact.

[@AWIERD1]

Anton Maxx 20 being the percentage of antifreeze to 80 percent water. You can actually use just water with a radiator additive making sure it contains corrosion inhibitors. Water alone is much better at displacing heat than polyethylene glycol mix in hotter climates but the only problem is the hot dissimilar metals want to corrode without a additive.

[@tousshong9438]

Agree! This how I would have done it too. It doesn't hurt to have 60/40 either.

[@tousshong9438]

@@AWIERD1, I'm sure you could do 80/20 but I wouldn't do it on my car since I live in the cold climate. However, even in the warm climate I'll still do 50/50 to reduce engine overheat due to lack of glycerol since water boil and evaporate.

[@VideoNash]

I like the safety tips added to your video.

[@byronwoolfrey1039]

This is what you get at a garage sometimes. Didn't drain or clean the reservoir. Replaced the stuff with a different kind than the original

[@KalashZikov]

What do you do if you don’t know?

[@ApartmentKing66]

@@KalashZikov Check your owner's manual. It'll tell you what kind and how much.

[@ronhenson7167]

Years ago my father used a "flushing agent" by a leading brand manufacturer before we went on a trip out of state. Some of the "flushing agent" was still in the system as we traveled maybe 120 miles. The dummy hot light came on but it was too late, the engine was already burned up. To this day, I have never and will never use a "flushing agent" by any company when doing a drain and refill. My mechanic told me when doing a drain and refill to remove the bottom radiator hose and radiator cap. When all the coolant drains out, turn the ignition key on and off three times to remove additional old coolant in the system. Replace the radiator hose and fill with new coolant while the engine is running and the heat is set to hot and fan speed on high, run for 5-10 minutes. Turn everything off, top off with coolant as needed. Check regularly in the coming days or weeks depending on how much you drive to add coolant as needed. My radiator and overflow are part of my regular checks under the hood. I hope this information saves you from burning up an engine. WEAR SAFETY GLASSES & DISPOSABLE GLOVES WHEN WORKING ON YOUR VEHICLE. PEACE.

[@genxnomad1978]

Easy and straight to the point. I am loving it.

[@Adam_S4]

Except the title is very misleading. This isn't a flush. Simply a drain and fill. Lots of dirty coolant still left in the system and then by adding the mix he did it is now actually weaker coolant. Straight and to the point of not what to do.

[@Wongburger]

6:07 the funnel was too helpful, gotta make a mess.

[@HighTopMyers]

He did that to not over fill

[@bonk97_kill_your_masters91]

right? that was seriously weird how he just decided to splatter this toxic liquid all over everything in an official autozone video after just reminding us how hazardous antifreeze is just a few minutes ago

[@RobertoTheGreat]

Adds character

[@curtiswhite7720]

Y’all so extra. You make it seem like he just got it all over the engine bay and wasted half a gallon. Everybody’s a critic but nobody got videos to be criticized.

[@wonderwalls3565]

For all the Do it yourself people, this is not a flush this is draining the radiator and filling it after draining. Check your coolant and if its good but you still want to change it for the pece of mind then just empty the radiator and fill it couple of times. no need to fix something which is not broken. I learnt the hard way.

[@clapclapscream]

THIS is good advice.

[@JiffiJiffJeff]

He did flush it with the concentrate and distilled water though, and ran the car for a few minutes to flush the radiator. how is this not flushing?

[@TOOL_TECHNICAL]

@@JiffiJiffJeff Flush requires a pressurized machine (or hose) forcing new fluid OR water through the system, thermostat open, hoses etc. until it's clear of visible particles and discoloration. THIS is considered a change such as with an oil maintenance where you're simply dropping the current volume adding more and letting it circulate then dropping it before your true fill. It's technically a flush because of the cleaning additive used to "flush" out the contaminants.

[@appleuser7146]

@@TOOL_TECHNICALis a flush necessary? I am working on a project car that was in an accident and the radiator needs replaced.

[@TOOL_TECHNICAL]

@@appleuser7146Start with inspecting the condition of the coolant in the reservoir and drop some from the petcock of the radiator itself. If you have clear containers it's easier to see OR you can get a really good light and peak into reservoir. If you see buildup or floating contaminants or faded/dirty/discolored fluid definitely change it. In the case of a project car especially if you don't know the care from the previous owner I'd do several changes since you won't get all the contaminants on the first go. If you're feeling brave i'd also take a look at the thermostat as an old one that isn't working may be stuck open or closed leading to overheating potentially.

[@brandonb5818]

Missed a lot of steps and vital information like getting all air bubbles out of the system

[@alpha01able]

Thank you AutoZone for this video...

[@backtothesubject2140]

I actually really liked this video. Thanks for the example

[@dbbias1416]

Thank you for a very helpful video 👍💯

[@eduardthornton1272]

Really and truly appreciate your thoroughly professiinal

[@eduardouribe3381]

thank you very well splained

[@genxnomad1978]

Thanks 👍🏾 This made me feel a lot more confident about flushing my system for the first time. I am so hyped up about it!! However, it is after midnight, and I do not have my pan or distilled water 😩 Definitely tomorrow though.

[@mariovargas1921]

Howd it go?

[@kenyafrieson8836]

Same here confident and ready to try it but it’s Raining and was minutes away from getting dark lol So how did that coolant flush work for you? Was it easy once you got started?

[@timmathews803]

Nobody gives a fk

[@EASTCAMDENRD]

😂😂😂😂😂 I’m in the same exact predicament. Gotta go hit some distilled water tomorrow. I damn near used tap water

[@bikersoncall]

@@EASTCAMDENRD Scotty flushed with a garden hose, you can do that right now, and use it to clean out the interior while you're at it, pet stains, spilled shakes etc, but then top off with 50/50 mix.

[@NewWorldHacker]

When you put the drain in the coolant do you close the cap or keep the cap open

[@BrianSStaveley]

After u insert the flushing product and water do you put back on BOTH the radiator cap and drain plug while running the car witht he heat blasting??

[@ClarVad]

Yes

[@daviddrennan1759]

thats the eastwood guy. man he has so many skills in automotive.

[@leftyB82]

Thank you very helpful

[@ChilledSon]

Please DON'T DO THIS If you live somewhere like Canada where it gets really cold. Your block could freeze and crack when it's -35 celsius outside.The final mix ratio using this method will not be 50/50 because there is still distilled water in the block and in the loop (or even worse, tap water or some flushing product). Quite a bit of water too! For example, in a 'typical' 4 cylinder sedan the flush volume could be 5.2 litres vs total volume of 6.5 litres. The difference of 1.3 litres is 20 percent of total volume of 6.5 litres. That is enough to significantly change overall ratio. If you your freeze plug doesn't pop out or you live further North where it goes down to -50 celsius : game over.

[@BESTVIRALVIDZS]

Very few people live where you do. Regular society doesn’t experience -50°C

[@ChilledSon]

@@BESTVIRALVIDZSAs correct as you are, IMO : Don't make an instructional video if your method / ratios / math is wrong. Just explain it the way it really is. Give people a chance to get it right.

[@milohrnic2023]

​@@BESTVIRALVIDZS a lot of Canada including big cities like Calgary (pop 1.7 million) does get below -40C. You need to use 60/40 there.

[@sl4983]

Thanks AutoZone.

[@AutoZone]

Glad we could help! Happy driving.

[@AutoZone]

You're welcome! Glad we could help.

[@Anjanya1948]

would you add bars leak repair gasket to thisvookant flush?

[@ivancedillo8]

Love that 3800 series

[@time2maked0hnutz54]

That was a good engine...and that's why they don't make it anymore 🤦🏽‍♂️💩

[@denniselkins8996]

I really enjoy your videos.... Dennis

[@mgarcia91566]

Will doing this fix the sloshing sound when my car is idle? I read the solution would be to have the coolant system flushed. Is this the same thing?

[@dashcam3098]

is it better to use distilled water or deionized water

[@KnuckleHeadGarage27]

I'm a little confused here ? . I own a 87 Chevrolet celebrity eurosport 2.8v6 an he only showes useing 1 jug of antifreeze mixed but my coolant capacity takes 13.5 soo what I do for that ? Please help

[@ChrisBusy]

What about insuring to remove all of the air in the system with Kevin.... any tricks there?

[@andytran-ry7yc]

i got a check light saying my coolant is low and. i didn't know. I think i might of used the wrong coolant in my car. I went and bought the "Peak Oet Extended life concentrate anti-freeze/ coolant european" I'm not sure if that coolant is the correct one to use in this so please help! i have an audi s4 b9 2019 btw. i’m not sure if this is the right coolant and i’m worried i mixed the oem coolant with the peak oet coolant

[@user-rc9jf8ng2k]

LMAO, the intro was great. *La de da just working on my vehicle. oh a guy is filming; "Hey Guys, Kevin Tetz here!"

[@alanthompson4912]

Very good, only maybe show a little more about the possibility of pressure blast from radiator cap, just saying from experience.

[@gregrobinson9827]

I use 80w90 gear oil in my radiator.

[@tubetales1798]

Thanks Kevin👍

[@martijnhoogesteger4466]

Instead of a 50/50 mix I would use a 70/30 mix coolant/distilled water. The heater core will have distilled water inside too, so the mixture will be more 50/50 in the end. But good video, greetings from the Netherlands

[@jeffreybanks0519]

Good advice as I was thinking the same when I watched this..

[@time2maked0hnutz54]

WoW, you guys get internet down there🥴

[@martijnhoogesteger4466]

@@time2maked0hnutz54 dude we have the 8th fastest internet in the world... www.swedishnomad.com/fastest-internet-in-the-world/

[@nofuture6881]

Did eastwood give him the ax?

[@aportugal66]

When he drain the raditor in the beginning, did he turn on the car and turned on the heater with no coolant ?

[@kurtanderson5023]

I forgot to put a hole in the garage door to "route the exhaust outside the building." RIP me.

[@tonytrilex2555]

open the garage door lol

[@ringdingersworldwide741]

Red and green Handyman

[@h3ll0_2]

Bruh 😂😂😂😂

[@erickwalker11]

Common sense?

[@dariusb8778]

@@ringdingersworldwide741 with

[@Juli-n-David]

Custom blend hell yeah 😁😁😁

[@jadon2709]

So you didn't need to fill back up with dexcool on that gm car? I wonder cuzz I don't like dexcool and was hoping to flush mine out...

[@djroydj7857]

nice job

[@greencase]

When he poured the coolant into the empty gallon I screamed use a funnel!!!

[@ApartmentKing66]

I think we all did.

[@kccodex8931]

I'm surprised yall can cross the street alone.

[@brendonteixeira6280]

I am having problems with my heater in car blowing hot air.i am being told to do coolant flush.will it fix my problem?

[@gladiator_games]

Thanks 👍🏼👍🏼

[@raypearson9614]

After the flush is done and you then make your own 50/50 mix, isn't the system now less than 50/50 because there is still water throughout the engine. Shouldn't you add 100% concentrate so the system can then mix with the water still in the engine and heater core?

[@amdistant5547]

If you look at the very first comment (written 4 years ago by T. Jones), that's what the reviewer pointed out and apparently from the feedback that is correct. So yes you're right also.

[@Chrissy_hau]

Glad I found this. I added coolant but a later problem had me rereading the owners manual and I realized I added the wrong coolant. I’ll see if my father will flush and refill with the proper coolant. About 1 week has pass so hopefully no major damage from the wrong coolant occurs.

[@wonderwalls3565]

what was the later problem that you faced?

[@princeswagger1able]

The main problem is I see your car can get dirty quick like that

[@locdogwitd9]

Will the water freeze if I do it in the winter?

[@momoneyinvesting]

Can we see how to do this on a car that isn't from the Civil War?

[@ryanh3651]

That was the only car they found that still had a radiator cap 😂

[@LetsLiveThriving]

Omg I was thinking the same thing. Like wtf y’all

[@momoneyinvesting]

@@LetsLiveThriving fr 💀

[@iwontellyouitsmenotu]

You don't know your history. Nor do you know the fake history we are taught. I don't know which is better.

[@bikersoncall]

What about running the heater when flushing out the engine core, someone said, to run it so the heater core is flushed out as well...shrugs.

[@JQUICK21]

Do you guys do this at the stores?

[@ignatiusd4562]

Um, the whole point of having that funnel on the radiator was to keep fluid in it so not to let the level get low and introduce air into the system while burping (actually trying to eliminate the air). Otherwise, thanks for the refresher. Been a number of years since I last had to do did this process myself.

[@leviorellana2093]

can you elaborate on keeping the funnel?

[@clapclapscream]

@@leviorellana2093the funnel attaches to the radiator cap hole, it fills up part way as the bubbles are finding their way out, then the level drops back down as they escape. It’s the easy way to burp the system

[@davidshek606]

But how do you remove the old coolant from the overflow reservoir and the hoses? Will just draining it from the bottom plug hole drain everything?

[@WitchOvTheeWood]

That's what the flush with distilled water is for

He flush with distilled water.

[@kalani1987]

If possible, remove the overflow tank and drain out.

[@manuelaguilar6886]

What if my heater doesn’t blow hot will it still work?

[@marks1034]

wouldn't the mix be less than 50/50 after leaving distilled water in the heater core, block and hoses? And why would you use some tap water in it and possibly leave some in it?

[@ApartmentKing66]

Yeah, he kinda skipped that part, didn't he?

[@andytran-ry7yc]

should i flush my coolant system if im adding a different coolant to it? my car only has 37000 miles but i fill like i topped off my car with the wrong coolant.

[@joseRodriguez-pk9ld]

My car had Orange coolant but changed it with green Preston all vehicles....is it bad ? Because I left some Orange inside

[@siachen6680]

How do you drain out the distilled water completely from the engine block and heater core and hoses in the cooling system?

[@divorcedwhiteman1968]

really, although this way is fine, you should take off the hose at the bottom of the radiator, run your car shortly with heat on and the water pump will shoot all water out, reattach hose and fill with 50/50 . unless you coolant is coming out really dirty its probably not necessary but that's how you get it all out.

[@dnegel9546]

@@divorcedwhiteman1968 can I just take out the plug from the radiator? What's in the engine and heater core should send it to the radiator which means it should flow out the lug at the bottom of radiator???,

[@divorcedwhiteman1968]

@@dnegel9546 you can do that..but really better to take off the bottom hose...if you're debating it in you head to much just have it serviced..it dont cost that much

[@dnegel9546]

@@divorcedwhiteman1968 ehh it cost $170 to service it. And all they do is drain the radiator and fill. Anyway I ended up doing it by flushing the pump and both hoses.

[@YouStupidBunny]

Your flush mix is mostly water that stays in the motor and heater core after draining the radiator. In most vehicles, the radiator only holds about a third of the coolant capacity. Adding coolant mix to your radiator further dilutes. Using your method, your coolant is now nowhere close to a 50/50 dilution.

[@AllAmericanGuy01]

He's on KZbin. Everything he says is true.

[@jonmo2694]

@@AllAmericanGuy01 And your comment is 100% true in your opinion

[@bikersoncall]

@@jonmo2694 In your opinion.

[@carleynorthcoast1915]

He's stating the fact that he is only draining the radiator. The only way this would sorta work is if you measured the volume drained from the rad and compared it to the total volume in the owners manual and then did the math for a 50/50 mix, but you would have to drain it like three times. @@jonmo2694

[@jmedi5589]

So I have to ask how so. Does the water separate from the antifreeze? Does it weigh more which is why it stays behind?

[@newstart49]

If your vehicle holds 12 quarts you need to add 6 quarts of 100% concentrate.

[@hossam90hassan]

The comment which i scrolled down searching for it.. You're write.. If the dry fill capacity stated in the owners manual is 12 qts. then, you've to flush with distilled water 2 to 3 times then to add 6 qts. of 💯 coolant, start the engine with radiator cap removed, let the air relieve from the system then fill with distilled water to the maximum mark on the reservoir.

[@hossam90hassan]

You're right*

[@Kimberly1Lily]

Thank you ! I have brand new coolant in my car, but need to flush for repairs. Can I use the coolant again ?

[@kalani1987]

I wouldn't. The coolant probably has sediment that drained out. Best not put that back in.

[@Kimberly1Lily]

DavidJLim I didn't reuse. Thank you ! 😘

[@ApartmentKing66]

There's no point in flushing or draining if you're just going to put the same stuff back in.

[@thehegt]

why didn't use the funnel when mixing the 50/50 ? .

[@coffeecrushercoffeecrusher881]

thehegt Tr ikr

[@craigsmith4990]

thehegt Tr - Because Funnels are for rookies that need to mix water and coolant😂😂😂!!!

[@tinabriand256]

Hoses coming and going in a 03;;superduty

[@Cody-hx1uq]

Or at the end to top up radiator. Autozone must not have funnel's

[@tousshong9438]

@@Cody-hx1uq, it's all sold out!

[@liliankuhn4671]

When draining it, does it drain all of the coolant from the overflow jug? Not one video explains this.

[@myblacklab7]

Yeah, and I have a car that doesn't have an accessible radiator (no cap... literally and figuratively), so the only place I can add coolant is the reservoir, unless I detach hoses.

[@nick4819]

Crazy amount comes out....but you barely put any of your gallon jug in there? My book says 8.8 quarts.....yet I barely got 4 quarts in there. Is the other gallon in the block and heater core?

[@Slowboi335xi]

thanks for the video, imma run to O'reilys right now and get the stuff

[@LabradorRichy]

How about burping the system in the end to get rid of air

[@c.s.charles2102]

I've heard that if you fill with the engine running and the heater on then the system purges itself.

[@Anna-tc6rz]

If you have a bleeder valve you can do that too.

[@time2maked0hnutz54]

Talk about ole skool...I rub my hood and talk dirty to mine😑

[@studnts4elac]

Didn't talk about burping/bleeding the cooling system. What happens if you fill up the reservoir pass the full mark?

[@vernonstapleton4286]

Yeah!!mineswayoverfilldand idonthaveawife. Jk wonder wemenfull. I'm a fool

[@skyiestosunsetrise2886]

Burp it after u refill it with fresh fluid....just put the car on a ramp..start the engine and take the cap off

[@neilwilliams8608]

How do you flush the heater core and engine block? Awesome video. Thanks so much.

[@mvsawyer]

After adding the flush fluid, run the vehicle with the heater on. This runs the fluid through the heater core. Make sure the engine temp is high enough to open the thermostat and let the fluid flow through the engine block. You'll know it's high enough if the temp gauge stops moving or the upper radiator hose gets hot. Another sign is that the radiator fan will turn on. Then you can turn off the vehicle and open the radiator drain again. Empty the cooling system and repeat until the liquid comes out clear. In this video, they didn't use near enough coolant, so probably didn't actually flush the block or core.

[@ApartmentKing66]

@@mvsawyer Which means he left tap water in the engine block and core. Not smart.

[@RexRaven22]

@@ApartmentKing66exactly. I still don’t know how to do this properly. It’s so frustrating.

[@clapclapscream]

@@mvsawyerliterally, how did he get less then half a gallon of coolant in there? 🤣🤣🤣

[@clapclapscream]

@@RexRaven22do you have your shop service manual?

[@ArmenArmenjs]

Looking at the comments, Can someone post link for a correct way to flush radiator, heater core and block? and bleed air out.

[@kalani1987]

Watch ChrisFix's channel

[@yoursoulmate3419]

He started the car to suck up the antifreeze and left it open , and then pored more in the radiator cap while running… does that not cause air in the system ? Curious idk I’ve been paranoid all night lol

[@seangowan7441]

Can I use Prestone universal coolant instead of gm dexcool?

[@tommygunmang2261]

Refer to your owners manual.... depends on your vehicle. All GM cars only take Dex Cool

[@rjs9006]

After flushing it with tap water he says to put more distilled water? How do you get all of the tap water out?

[@Mark-um3hm]

I was always told, your car should be running when you add coolant? Is that a myth?

[@Johnkoth]

How much is it for disposal at a recycle center ? With oil and transmission oil I can take it to a O'Reily or other auto part store that recycles it.

[@miguelplascencia6093]

Usually all antifreeze is biodegradable, just make sure your pets dont drink it. When flush my radiator I try to catch some stuff I usually in get 1 gallon, the rest just falls on the cement.

[@miguelplascencia6093]

Take it to autozone no charge

[@ebw7060]

What about safety? How long it takes for an engine to cool down depends on the engine size and what it is made from. Aluminum cools off faster than cast iron. Always squeeze the top radiator hose and if there is pressure, don't take the cap off.

[@neilwilliams8608]

If you say it's ok to flush the cooling system with tap water then, flush again with distilled water, what's the use of flushing with tap water? That's double the work and double the time. Awesome video. Thanks a lot.

[@faithmatthews830]

What about the air bubbles?

[@afprincess7622]

Do you leave the radiator "unplugged" while the cleaning mix is in and the engine is running

[@skywind007]

No. You have to recap.

[@flexibleaspect]

Why not just flush the system with new premixed coolant so the right ratio of coolant to distilled water is always present? In other words, drain the system, refill with premixed coolant, drain again, refill with premixed coolant. If you do this on a regular schedule you should never need to use a flush solution to remove gunk from the system, right?

[@djc213]

Per gallon, premix costs almost as much as concentrate. So you’re paying almost as much for water as coolant. If money is no object, then yes, your suggestion makes total sense.

[@bigdaddyvince1825]

Does this also flush the heater core?

[@ArgosySpecOps]

If you run the heater full blast to circulate it through.

[@brabbit4762]

If you don't want to "eyeball" the mix ratio, you can pour out half of the gallon, turn upside down, and mark halfway mark with a sharpie.

[@clapclapscream]

You still would be eyeballing the half gallon you pour out LOL

[@louisesmith443]

From 2001 up they require a universal HOAT Antifreeze .And always distilled water not faucet .People do not check their manuals .This is important as they make it specifically for these newer engines cooling systems .

[@northwestmechanic8991]

I check the owners manual of our vehicle, and i do the check ups as needed and do if needed. Don't let autozone tell you any different.

[@chriscarnes7815]

What if my heater core is bypassed so i dont have a heater?

[@TheCoralSniper]

Then no need to worry about turning the heat on when flushing, just makes the flush simpler

[@illuminate1111]

I’m in the Zonnnneee

[@756766]

What about the air in the system??

[@jaedae3439]

Why not use a funnel when mixing

[@jornelindberg5127]

So does it drain all the antifreeze from heater core engine block etc?

[@dnegel9546]

@@johnfloyd1652 so what's the proper way of doing this?????

[@dnegel9546]

@@johnfloyd1652 thanks I ended up doing it like Scotty. And your right even that way only drains about 90%. The only way in my car to get 100% out is to remove the drain plug on the engine and the knock sensor. 2 things I did not want to mess with.

[@dnegel9546]

@@johnfloyd1652 haha it's always something. In my car (97 LT1 Camaro) I have to maintenance the distributor (optispark) almost yearly. And well.. the problem is that In Order to do so, I have to drain my radiator, remove air intake/maf/radiator/fans/serpertine belt/water pump/harmonic balancer. All that because Chevy in their infinite wisdom thought they could make a maintenance free distributor and the genius engineer thought it would be an amazing idea to put it behind the water pump. Which if the water pump leaks it goes straight into the distributor, causing all types of problems. Which the LT1 (Camaro/Corvette/Impala/roadmaster)is infamous for. If that wasn't bad enough.. lol.. the distributors that stores sell even GM all have a HIGH failure rate. Even ac Delco brand ones. (Not cheap). I've read on forums of guys having to remove and reinstall a new one 5x+ so just imagine taking it all apart put a new on put everything back, then 2 days later finding out is failing, then taking it apart again..so on and so on. 🤣

[@handymannlocksmith]

08.27.2019 ( do you need to bleed air off every time you take the radiator cap off to check water or antifreeze level

[@MaximumDIYGarage]

@Jake A Morgan : no, it’s not like brake fluid. You do not need to bleed the system unless you drain and then add fluid.

[@RandyEscalanteGarcia]

Okay, but I have a Nissan and it doesn't take Prestone, can I drain it with regular water?

[@ArgosySpecOps]

Prestone is just the brand slapped on this chelation flush fluid. It is not OAT, HOAT, or any other kind of glycol based coolant. The chelation flush agent just dislodges & carries off oxides, minerals, and scale in your cooling system. It should be safe in any make & model of vehicle when used as directed with distilled water.

[@billyford2262]

Why is it important to flush it if your only putting coolant in there

[@thomashumber9762]

My car has no Cat...can I run the exhaust pipe into my side window and fill up the interior with fumes?

[@RexRaven22]

Yup - see Part 2

[@slevinkelevra5901]

I would think you would need to blend it closer to 60/40 coolent to water. Because of the water left in system and heater core from the flush 🤔👍🤔

[@ARCSTREAMS]

correct you have to take that into account and make your determined adjustment ,its gonna be more than 50% water with the water left in the core and block and some hoses,,perhaps up to 2 litres

[@Arizona_lilly]

Thx

[@carmaster1693]

Can I leave the radiator cleaner/ flush for 3 days and normal drive use to fully clean the radiator?

[@ArgosySpecOps]

According to the instructions on the bottle you can.

[@kccodex8931]

That stuffs a waste of money, better off removing the thermostat and running the garden hose through the various cooling system ports, both directions for 10 minutes, add fresh coolant, while you are at it fill the battery with distilled water, clean and grease the terminals, done.

[@leea.6101]

I never do a flush and introduce a "cleaning solution" into the cooling system and engine. This remains in the engine block. Just drain what's in the radiator keeping the cap on the overflow tank. Then refill with 50/50 mix. Never had an issue in 40 years.

[@ryanhuang8498]

Depends on the cooling system. If it's well maintained that's fine. If the car's cooling system is neglected so bad that it starts overheating a flush is better. Eg I worked on a BMW,the silicates in the coolant seperated forming a gel. The owner has not changed the coolant in 7 years. That case a flush is needed. Just make sure the system if flushed several times with distilled water before adding new coolant,concentrated is best.

[@jonmo2694]

That's why you flush it, then flush it again and if your paranoid flush it again!

[@xvassilli28]

You're exactly right! 90-95% of the old coolant will come out when draining radiator, some will stay in the block, but will mix with new coolant no problem. Majority of people overthink this.

[@larrysplace0016]

Doesn’t that thing take DexCool. Also the ratio is off because of the water that’s still in the block and heater core.

[@ronaldosafari37]

Why we bought funnel and put on side🤔?

[@monamaceo]

According to Chrisfix u would have to drive it when u drain the dirty coolant and after adding the coolant cleaner

[@rajuusa1983]

how do i flush 2015 cherokee 2.4L ?

[@tousshong9438]

Same way on any cars or trucks or any make and model.

[@hioxd]

Can I just fill up the reservoir without draining?

[@clapclapscream]

I know it’s been 4 years, but yes. And that’s what I suggest you do if 1. You see no debris or gunk in the overflow tank. And 2. You’re having no engine temperature issues