How To Flush The Cooling System

Flushing your cooling system is one of the easiest projects you can undertake. It should be a part of your regular maintenance schedule to help make sure your cooling system is always working properly.

Here is what you will need:
*A Flat Tip Screw Driver
*A Pan to catch any coolant that comes out
*A Garden Hose

Step One: Drain your Coolant
Most radiators will have a small wing nut near the bottom part of the radiator. You will need to place your pan below the radiator and open up the valve to start draining coolant. Once those valves have let out as much coolant as possible, you must take your lower radiator hose and disconnect it from the radiator. This will allow you to let all the rest of the coolant out of the system.

Step Two: The Flushing
Re-attach the lower hose, and close up the drainage valves. Then, place a garden hose into the top of the radiator and let the water flow. Give it about 15 minutes to flush out any debris, dirt, rust or old coolant out of the coolant system. This is also a good time to check for any leaks.

Step Three: Put in new Coolant
Make sure you buy a good pre-made mixture of 50 percent anti-freeze and 50 percent water. Cap it all off with some extra water if you are short.

**Caution** Make sure the engine is cool before attempting a Coolant Flush. The coolant can be extremely hot after the engine has run for a while. It would be a good idea to let the vehicle cool down for a couple of hours before attempting this project.

The pressure that builds up in the radiator can also be dangerous. You can get burned from the hot coolant if it released while under pressure. It is also a good idea to invest in a pair of gloves for this project, as well as some saw dust to help clean up any spilled anti-freeze.

**Remember** Keep used coolant in a closed container. It is illegal and harmful to your neighborhood to leave it in an open container.

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