A question for car folks: Radiator flush and fill

[CO-guy]

Odd question for ER, but I noticed quite a few car folks on here so figured I'd ask. It's time for a radiator flush and fill on our vehicle.

For oil changes, etc. I tend to buy the oil and filter and then bring it to a nearby quick-lube place to have the fluids changed. They charge me for a basic oil change and use the high end oil and performance filters that I provide. This way there's zero chance of spills in our garage and I'm not driving a tub of oil around to dispose of it.

Now it's time for a coolant flush. I went ahead and ordered all the correct flush and antifreeze replacement fluids per vehicle specs, along with some new air filters, and I'm inclined to call the quick-lube place and let them take care of it. While it all seems simple enough to DIY, the underside of our vehicle is fully plated with stainless steel, and I don't want to try wrestling the 80-100 lb. plates off and back on again just to access the radiator drain. Anyone else feel like skid plates are the reason you don't DIY fluid maintenance?

 

[FlaGator]

I gave up all auto maintenance involving liquids 25 years ago, so it's been a while since I did it, but what happened to the "Prestone flush" kits?

Slice a coolant hose at a convenient location, insert the T-adapter with hose threads and a cap, connect a garden hose, put the discharge nozzle in the radiator neck and turn on the water? Could capture the discharge from the radiator if inclined.

But, I'm probably ignorant of modern cars, their complexity and environmental rules.

 

[old medic]

but what happened to the "Prestone flush" kits?

LOL .... Got several in my tool box I've collected over the years.
The skid plates can be a PITA, VW are plastic, but steal on the truck.

 

[jazz4cash]

You could probably take a radiator hose off and do an adequate job. I haven’t done a newer closed system with pressurized overflow tank. Youtube is your friend.

 

[tutan]

…the underside of our vehicle is fully plated with stainless steel, and I don't want to try wrestling the 80-100 lb. plates off and back on again just to access the radiator drain. Anyone else feel like skid plates are the reason you don't DIY fluid maintenance?

When I first got my Toyota Sequoia, I thought to avoid removing the skid plate to change the engine oil. There’s access to the drain plug without removing the skid plate but taking out the oil filter is just too messy from the top. So now I just take the plate off. I believe it probably weighs only 20lb but that’s on the Toyota.

 

[pb4uski]

I can't recall ever doing a flush and fill. Ever.

 

[Koolau]

Flushes used to be easy. Not anymore. Probably will skip as long as my coolant looks okay or if there are cooling issues. YMMV

 

[OldShooter]

I can't recall ever doing a flush and fill. Ever.

Me neither.

 

[dvalley]

Drain and fill is different than flush and fill. The latter means you're also removing+flushing the coolant from the engine block and all the lines in addition to just the radiator. Most pros and enthusiasts today use something like the Airlift vacuum kit but you can get away with just refilling and then purging the trapped air using a funnel kit or on some cars it's not even required as the system self purges trapped air. Old coolant corrodes metal as the fluid becomes electrically charged overtime.

 

[38Chevy454]

Almost all newer cars have long life coolant that is good for 5-10 years. The anti-corrosion additives in coolant do get depleted and there is need to change out coolant. The anti-freeze and boilover protection does not change with old coolant, but the anti-corrosion ability does. So check your owners manual and change the coolant per the recommended. Changing coolant on a well maintained system can just be a drain and refill; a flush is good to help get all of the old coolant out. Nothing else needed like a chemical cleaner if your cooling system is good shape. Changing coolant sooner than the recommended won't hurt anything, besides a few dollars spent.

 

[Car-Guy]

I see no need to change coolant fluids until you are around 75 to 100 k miles on newer cars or at least 5yrs. I don't keep vehicles that long so it's been a long time since I've needed to change coolant fluids. And skid plates may be a bit of a PIA but they do provide good protection. I've had them on all my trucks and SUV's for the past ten years. Most (maybe all) weight less than ~20 lbs. Some are cumbersome to get on and off but not really hard.

 

[Koolau]

I see no need to change coolant fluids until you are around 75 to 100 k miles on newer cars or at least 5yrs. I don't keep vehicles that long so it's been a long time since I've needed to change coolant fluids. And skid plates may be a bit of a PIA but they do provide good protection. I've had them on all my trucks and SUV's for the past ten years. Most (maybe all) weight less than ~20 lbs. Some are cumbersome to get on and off but not really hard.

If it means crawling under my car, it now gets done by a mechanic. I just can't do that kind of stuff any more though YMMV.

 

[Car-Guy]

If it means crawling under my car, it now gets done by a mechanic. I just can't do that kind of stuff any more though YMMV.

It it getting harder but it's still doable for me. Nothing like laying on a big sheet of cardboard under a car. These days I only work on my cars early in the morning or late at night when it's not so hot. Heat is a killer for me.

 

[Koolau]

It it getting harder but it's still doable for me. Nothing like laying on a big sheet of cardboard under a car. These days I only work on my cars early in the morning or late at night when it's not so hot. Heat is a killer for me.

I gave away my ramps 10 years ago now. Those were the way to go when it came to getting under the car. But now, it's just too hard. Heh, heh, every guy in the neighborhood used to come over and borrow my ramps! I was quite popular in that regard.

 

[SecondCor521]

I just did a coolant change myself for the first time recently.

With my car, there was a draincock on the bottom corner of the radiator so I just used that. My car's skid plate is no longer there (another story), but I think it would not have prevented access to the draincock even if it were.

I'd suggest either looking in a Chilton manual, looking at some Youtube videos for your particular car, or just crawling under and looking for it. Draincocks look sort of like the valves on office bottled water dispensers.

I think the coolant change is easier than an oil/filter change, and also less messy. I'm still willing to crawl under the car to save the extra $50, but I can see not wanting to in a few years. Up to you; sounds like you'd rather spend the money.

Around here and with my car, the used coolant did need to be delivered to the household hazardous waste collection at the fire station. Not that big of a deal to stick it in the old coolant bottles and take them down on the first Wednesday.

 

[CO-guy]

I see no need to change coolant fluids until you are around 75 to 100 k miles on newer cars or at least 5yrs. I don't keep vehicles that long so it's been a long time since I've needed to change coolant fluids. And skid plates may be a bit of a PIA but they do provide good protection. I've had them on all my trucks and SUV's for the past ten years. Most (maybe all) weight less than ~20 lbs. Some are cumbersome to get on and off but not really hard.

The vehicle might only have 50k miles, but it's been 7 years. The stock skid plates were flimsy plastic, so I upgraded to steel. The engine plate is integrated into the bumper and weighs quite a bit. The plates over the drive shaft and diff are lighter. The engine plate has two little hatches for the oil and oil filter, but nothing else. I see how a lightweight skid plate would be an easier task, but this one is heavy. The quick lube place sometimes drops part of the plate just to reduce the mess when draining oil, and it's less of an issue for them to put it back when there's room to stand under the vehicle.

At the very least, I got the Prestone flush kit, so it will be a flush and refill rather than just a drain and refill.

 

[Badger]

I used to do all fluid changes until 14 years ago. But now with the present car having a cover to remove for access and the fact that getting up of the ground is more of a challenge I leave this to a service. So far this has been limited to oil changes.

 

[rmcelwee]

I can't recall ever doing a flush and fill. Ever.

You must have never purchased a high mileage vehicle with questionable maintenance. I've done plenty of them. Some with POUNDS of gunk removed.

 

[Koolau]

You must have never purchased a high mileage vehicle with questionable maintenance. I've done plenty of them. Some with POUNDS of gunk removed.

Yeah, you'd be surprised what junk ends up in your coolant. I've only ever used a garden hose to flush the system, but YMMV.

 

[motley]

Flushes used to be easy. Not anymore. Probably will skip as long as my coolant looks okay or if there are cooling issues. YMMV

Why so? I guess it depends on the vehicle. Mine's pretty easy; jack it up, drain it out, fill with distilled water, run a bit and drain that out, fill with new. I'm no mechanic but around here they charge outrageous amounts to do it, so it was worth the hassle.

 

[Jerry1]

I will do mine at whatever interval the owners manual prescribes. I will do it = take it to a mechanic.

 

[Koolau]

Why so? I guess it depends on the vehicle. Mine's pretty easy; jack it up, drain it out, fill with distilled water, run a bit and drain that out, fill with new. I'm no mechanic but around here they charge outrageous amounts to do it, so it was worth the hassle.

Heh, heh, I'm done jacking cars and crawling under them looking for a drain, etc. I'll pay the outrageous price for someone else to flush my radiator. I used to do all the easy stuff myself too. Not any more but YMMV.

 

[aja8888]

When I turned 80, I gave away my two floor jacks and several sets of ramps. I also gave away two air compressors, spray guns, and a crapload of tools. I have a great Indy shop a few miles away that handles all this stuff anymore. Coolant flushes? Maybe on 80's vintage cars but the new ones TYPICALLY have lifetime coolant.

 

[brett]

I do not do my own maintenance. But I keep track of all fluids, transmission, coolant, brake, engine oil, power steering based on the manufacturers recommendations.

I have had my Toyotas serviced at a small shop for years. One thing the owner has always insisted on is using Toyota brand coolent. Never Prestone, etc. His employees are Toyota factory trained.

Not certain if other brands have the same issues but you might want to check.

What does your vehicle manual recommend?

 

[aja8888]

I do not do my own maintenance. But I keep track of all fluids, transmission, coolant, brake, engine oil, power steering based on the manufacturers recommendations.

I have had my Toyotas serviced at a small shop for years. One thing the owner has always insisted on is using Toyota brand coolent. Never Prestone, etc. His employees are Toyota factory trained.

Not certain if other brands have the same issues but you might want to check.

Several manufacturers have their own chemical formula for coolant (some are acid based). I know VW and BMW do as I have had both cars and had to replace coolant when I was rebuilding the engine and associated parts. I believe Honda does too.