Flushing Coolant

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Everything I've ever read regarding flushing you coolant says to put the rad cap on start up the engine, warm it up, let it cool, drain, rinse, repeat, yadda yadda....

I've always left the rad cap OFF. The engine heats up faster, I don't have to wait for it to cool down to pop the cap off and it just makes the job go quicker.

Never really thought about it till now but, is there any good reason to put the cap on and then wait and all that crap??

 

[KJShover]

Never really thought about it till now but, is there any good reason to put the cap on and then wait and all that crap??

It pressurizes the system and helps to loosen up junk, so I've been told.

I clean my cooling systems like I do my coffee pot. Just a water/vinegar solution run it through followed by rinsing with water, then adding the coolant mix. Some ppl take it a step further and then run some baking soda/water mixture through to counteract the mild acidity of the vineger.

I do it this way and use "green" coolant not cause I'm a tree hugger (just look at all the hardwood in my home) but there are a few critters around the neighborhood and I don't need them or by accident mine accidently injesting the stuff.

 

[[email protected]]

So the pressure helps to loosen up any junk in there eh? Sounds reasonable enough... I'm with you on the vinegar. Never heard of the baking soda being used afterwards though. Thanks for the input KJ.

 

[dannymax]

Use distilled water for your 50/50 mix also....cuts down on the deposits.

 

[[email protected]]

Use distilled water for your 50/50 mix also....cuts down on the deposits.

Thanks dan-o. Got a bunch in the supply cabinet along with some vinegar to do the flushing. This time around I bought a premixed antifreeze so I don't have to worry about mixing. Halvoline "asian" formula. http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/zerex/antifreeze/105

According to Brian and Jim the asian stuff is awesome.:biglaugh:

 

[Redbone]

:thumbs up: :thumbs up:

 

[Elimax]

Hi folks:

Sorry about the slight hijack here, but how do get rid of old coolant? Do auto shops or bike shops take it? Thanks.

Elimax

 

[Buster Hymen]

Hi folks:

Sorry about the slight hijack here, but how do get rid of old coolant? Do auto shops or bike shops take it? Thanks.

Elimax

All the cats in the neighborhood love the stuff!.... they never come back for seconds though...:ummm: LOL... sorry Danny! :biglaugh:

All our city dumps have a container where you can get rid of old antifreeze, oil, etc.

 

[gamorg02]

yea +1 to you local dump or recycling center.

 

[KJShover]

+1, call your city dump. I'd be suprised if they didn't take it.

 

[kaboom]

A lot of service stations and oil change shops will take it as well....

 

[yukonerdave]

What ratio of vinegar to water do you use for flushing? Basically just drain the old stuff, fill with vinegar mix, run engine for a while, then repeat with straight water, and then repeat a final time with 50/50 antifreeze mix?

At what points do I turn the petcock?

 

[KJShover]

What ratio of vinegar to water do you use for flushing? Basically just drain the old stuff, fill with vinegar mix, run engine for a while, then repeat with straight water, and then repeat a final time with 50/50 antifreeze mix?

At what points do I turn the petcock?

Thats about it, Turn your petcock to drain the old stuff. (on really dirty systems I use 100% vinegar, but otherwise I just use 80/20 Vinegar to water mix. close the petcock and run the new mixture until the bike warms up. open the petcock and flush with water. Close the petcock and fill the system with 100% distilled ( I use the brita filter from my kitchen ) water. run again until the engine is warm, then after draining again. your ready to fill with your favorite mix of coolant.

If its really dirty, flush with the water a few more times, until your satisfied with the liquid draining.

When draining, leave the coolant drain valve on the normal position. This will prevent all of the coolant from draining at
once and will prevent a mess. Once the flow has slowed down, turn the petcock to drain the rest.

 

[ghostntheshell]

I suppose I should be doing a flush too.

But my Max likes to stay cool. Stays away from the red... mind you I haven't had er out in +15 celcius yet.

 

[dannymax]

All the cats in the neighborhood love the stuff!.... they never come back for seconds though...:ummm: LOL... sorry Danny! :biglaugh:

All our city dumps have a container where you can get rid of old antifreeze, oil, etc.

No Buster....say it ain't so!!! You know how fond I am of those furry little creatures.....
I also like cats!! :hmmm: h yeah:

 

[4gasem]

Sounds like you have it sorted! I used 50/50 distilled water/white vinegar but my engine had less than 3000 miles on it at the time.

Chris

 

[Redbone]

One question about flushing the system; when you drain the old coolant out do you always pull the rubber plugs on the cylinders and replace? Once you stat the vinegar solution no need to flush through the cylinder anymore?

 

[4gasem]

One question about flushing the system; when you drain the old coolant out do you always pull the rubber plugs on the cylinders and replace? Once you stat the vinegar solution no need to flush through the cylinder anymore?

I always remove them to make sure NO water's in the system. Then I replace and fill with coolant.

On my bike with about 3000 on the clock I did the cleaning twice and then filled.

Chris

 

[spursmech]

unk: Where ever you buy the oil and anti-freeze will take the old stuff for free. I get mine at Autozone they have good prices. Good luck, Spur

 

[rebar]

I always remove them to make sure NO water's in the system. Then I replace and fill with coolant.

Chris

Never done this. Think its time?:rofl_200:

What takes longer.. Pulling all the plugs and maybe having a leak , or flushing one extra time?