Radiator flush

[Mittelklasse]

Alternatively, this is how I did:

1. Engine off and cold, drain the expansion reservoir.
Then, flush it several times with tap water till the water becomes clear.
Refill the reservoir with tap water.

2. Unplug radiator inlet (top) hose. Place a bucket beneath to catch the toxic coolant.

3. Run the engine. When the thermostat opens and coolant flows out of the block,
top up the reservoir with tap water. Let it flush the block until the outlet water is clear.
(You guys with heater might need to turn it on too, for a complete flush)

4. Stop the engine. Drain the reservoir again. Fill it with your coolant of choice and (preferably)
distilled water, up beyond the FULL mark. Don't plug the radiator inlet hose in yet.

5. Run the engine again. The coolant will push the previous tap water out of the block.
Top up the reservoir when the coolant level falls below the middle point.
(To prevent air from entering the system)
Keep an eye out on the color of the outlet water, and be ready to plug the hose back in.

6. Let it circulate good. 'Massage' the hose to push out any residual air bubbles.
Top up the reservoir if necessary.

[esse10]

Originally Posted by Mittelklasse

Alternatively, this is how I did:

1. Engine off and cold, drain the expansion reservoir.
Then, flush it several times with tap water till the water becomes clear.
Refill the reservoir with tap water.

2. Unplug radiator inlet (top) hose. Place a bucket beneath to catch the toxic coolant.

3. Run the engine. When the thermostat opens and coolant flows out of the block,
top up the reservoir with tap water. Let it flush the block until the outlet water is clear.
(You guys with heater might need to turn it on too, for a complete flush)

4. Stop the engine. Drain the reservoir again. Fill it with your coolant of choice and (preferably)
distilled water, up beyond the FULL mark. Don't plug the radiator inlet hose in yet.

5. Run the engine again. The coolant will push the previous tap water out of the block.
Top up the reservoir when the coolant level falls below the middle point.
(To prevent air from entering the system)
Keep an eye out on the color of the outlet water, and be ready to plug the hose back in.

6. Let it circulate good. 'Massage' the hose to push out any residual air bubbles.
Top up the reservoir if necessary.

So you had no concern with putting regular tap water in the coolant system? I thought that was a big NO NO cause you won't get it all out.
I don't think the reservoir is connected directly in the coolant loop, well not in my car it ain't.
on mine it is connected to the pressure cap on the upper flange and only opens under pressure or or suction from the coolant system I believe.
One more dumb question, So the coolant circulating loop is that the coolant go's into the engine block from the bottom when the thermostat opens and then comes out back into the radiator through the top hose? is that correct?

[Mittelklasse]

Originally Posted by esse10

So you had no concern with putting regular tap water in the coolant system? I thought that was a big NO NO cause you won't get it all out.
I don't think the reservoir is connected directly in the coolant loop, well not in my car it ain't.
on mine it is connected to the pressure cap on the upper flange and only opens under pressure or or suction from the coolant system I believe.
One more dumb question, So the coolant circulating loop is that the coolant go's into the engine block from the bottom when the thermostat opens and then comes out back into the radiator through the top hose? is that correct?

It seems water quality varies greatly from place to place.
My rule of thumb if that it's good if it's safe enough to drink once in a while.

Also, it seems I've caused some confusions.
What I did mean was, there are 2 coolant reservoirs: one is the expansion tank, and another is in the radiator.
Sorry, English is not my mother tongue.

You're correct on that one. If the coolant level drops past the top hose, the lowermost hose will still be able to feed the water pump.

[jcboy]

Originally Posted by esse10

So you had no concern with putting regular tap water in the coolant system? I thought that was a big NO NO cause you won't get it all out.

You are right on. You should only use distilled water and not any other. Mineral water and any other type (even those okay to drink) have minerals which can clog (eventually) the hoses, coolant lines in the engine, the radiator, and so on.

Ok, so here's how i refill the radiator. and it has worked for me for a little under 2 decades.After the car sits about 30mins after use:
1. Drain radiator using drain plug. Reinstall the plug.
2. Refill radiator with distilled water.
3. Run engine with 2 cycles of radiator fun turning on and off.
4. Do steps 1-3 twice more. This should clean the cooling lines.

5. (as Scott mentioned) Run engine with rad cap off and be prepared with distilled water to pour on the radiator mouth after water overflows with fan turning on (do it while water seeps down).
6. Do step 5 twice more. This should completely bleed the cooling system of any bubbles/air.

HTH

[esse10]

Thanks folks for y'll input. It's a done deal and the car is running OKIE-DOKIE.
I thought Toyota made quality parts? the Raidatior is made of hard plastic and aluminum. Well at least it was cheap online...LOL IF this happens again i'm spending the extra $ and putting a pure solid all aluminum radiator.

I learned a few things for next time; No reason to drain the engine block with the small drain cock in the back, very little comes out. Another option which I found helpful is that You can fill the engine block first by putting a 3/8 tubing hose directly into the block and with a small funnel pour some coolant in just to make 100% sure the block has coolant when you start it up again.