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Coolant change...

Posted: 21 May 2010 12:34
by Hoops
Gonna change my coolant tomorrow and flush it out (coolant at the moment looks a nice rusty brown colour).

Any tips? Is it different to a dolly sprint to do?

Been advised that denture tablets work well to clean the rad out....

Cheers

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Posted: 21 May 2010 16:42
by FI Spyder
Take the car for a drive to warm the coolant with heater set to on. I drain coolant while it's warm. Fill with water and repeat. Much of the old coolant will still remain in block so this flush will help dilute it. You can undo the block drain to help that. Now you have to clean the crap left in. I use Prestone flush with water and take it for a drive to heat it and flush it through. Drain and fill with water, repeat the drive and drain to take out the flush chemical. Put in your anti freeze and top up with distilled water. While you can buy that I use water from my dehumidifier (I live on the wet coast[:)]).

I have a friend that used CLR (calcium, lime, rust remover) on his Toyota truck rad (removed all sorts of crap) and cured his cooling problems. While that may be good with rad out like he did, it probably isn't too good for our aluminum head so wouldn't use it in place.

I use this process on all my cars. My TR7 never over heats under any condition with standard fan.



TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra
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Posted: 21 May 2010 19:19
by saabfast
Not sure where you would get those products over here. Many years ago I flushed a completely blocked Viva system (took the block plug out and there was no flow at all, just solid cr*p!) with Holts Radflush. Worked very well then although I can't be sure the chemicals are still the same in this H&S mad world.

Alan
Saab 9000 Stg 1
Saab 9000 2.3 FPT Auto
'81 TR7 DHC
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Posted: 22 May 2010 18:56
by macutmore
I usually just gently back flush the empty system with the radiator disconnected using a garden hose as in the Haynes manual. Saves driving the car for the sake of it. As for refil I use neat Unipart Summer Coolant which is <i>ready mixed </i> so no distilled water ever required.