Why a coolant flush is one of the most difficult DIY projects. Best left for pros

[200k_or_bust]

I think I am just going to pay someone to flush my coolant system. Bizarrely, I think a coolant flush is a one of the more complicated DIY jobs. I have read at least 25 links, and none are clear and conclusive. Not a single one had a picture. It's impossible to get a straight answer, b/c there is no standard way of doing this, and 10 people will tell you 10 different ways. I already have wasted hours researching this, and I haven't even left the PC. Tomorrow, I pay someone $150 to get this shit done. That's worth one hour of my time. It is also interesting that this a coolant flush is not in the DIY section of TN. There are 100's of procedures, but this one must be too complicated for DIY? I have no idea which hose is which, which to remove, or where the thermostat is, where to spray the water, where the water's supposed to come out of, or how to even refill it while ensuring all the flush water is gone, I am going to leave this to the pros. Distilled or tap? It's unclear if you need to install the Prestone Flush kit nozzle/spout or just drain the radiator. But, just draining the radiator is not a true flush. Half the old coolant is still in the system. At least 80% of the idiots posting on car forums and youtube think a flush is just draining the radiator and refiling it. The rest have 50 different ways to do it. Seems draining the block does nothing. Do you refill via the radiator or the overflow tank? Do you run the engine while the radiator is drained? Will more coolant come out? How do I know when all the old coolant is out? Can this overheat the engine and blow your head gasket? All this is simply not worth the time and risk. This is one best left to professionals, b/c there is no clear consensus on how to do this. Ironically, I bet it's easier to do a full engine rebuild (or brake job) than a coolant flush, b/c there will be fewer questions and vague grey areas. Now, I know why no one flushes their coolant. I really wanted to try this and get back into cars. I think I'll try rebuilding a suspension instead. Easier.

[bolink654]

There is no DIY because it is as simple as changing your oil or windshield wipers. There is 50 different ways because they all produce the same results. Im gonna make it simple.

Blast water one direction through everything, blast water the opposite direction through everything. Refill system.

Nobody can tell you what to refill with, just like nobody can tell you what oil and filter to use. It's up to you, your preferences, driving style, ect ect

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by 200k_or_bust

I think I am just going to pay someone to flush my coolant system.

I came to the same decision after years of doing it myself. Got tired of dealing with the connections, proper mix, and volume of water required as well as making sure I captured all the old anti-freeze for proper disposal, then carting it to the recycle yard.

$150 seems high as here we can get a machine flush done for about $70. After the flush you can just drain and refill the rad once per year with 50/50 premix.

[200k_or_bust]

I popped the hood and took a look. I could see the top hose going into the thermostat housing. I also saw a large hose at the bottom. They seemed easy enough to pop off. However, since it's unclear how to cycle the water out, I am leaving this to the pros for $99. Last thing I need is a blown head gasket, which I can see happening if I am running 100% water. My coolant in the overflow tank is red.

[200k_or_bust]

I took it to Valvoline. They used a vacuum machine to suck out all the coolant in the entire system from the radiator top. Hoses were collapsed, etc. The temp gauge red-lined, and the heat was blowing cold. Then, he refilled it right from the same place, cap/top of the radiator.

I am not sure there was ever a "flush". This was more of a changing of the coolant. I was sort of hoping ofr a flush. I guess for $99, better safe than sorry, and I know it wasn't changed in the 50k miles I've driven it.

Temperate gauge before and after the coolant change is exactly the same. Dead center of the dial.

[Pvt-Public]

I have no idea which hose is which, which to remove, or where the thermostat is, where to spray the water, where the water's supposed to come out of, or how to even refill it while ensuring all the flush water is gone, I am going to leave this to the pros.

If you can't even find the thermostat, you are right. This is way to complicated for you, and you should leave it to the professionals. Unfortunately you took it to a Valvoline chain shop, so you got ripped off for a drain and fill only, and did not get a flush.

[200k_or_bust]

Wow, this process is so complex that it's hard to even tell what types of service you're getting.

I told the guy I wanted a flush. He had this complicated air pressured machine, so I figured it was a professional job.

In fact, I called him back just now, and asked why there was no water flushed through the system.
He insisted it was a flush. Pressurized removal of 100% of coolant, and a refill. Flush.
He says no one flushes with water, b/c it will rust the system.
I said what about pumping coolant through the system to remove sediment. He said no. I got a flush.

Wow, even PROFESSIONALS can't agree on what is a flush even IS, let alone how to do it.
I don't give a shit anymore, this was a flush, not a drain and fill b/c it was pressurized.
Do they issue licenses for this stuff?
I'll seriously pay $500 for a real flush, if I can find a qualified surgeon to do it. Anyone in NY?

Me, I'll stick to my 6 figure day job and managing my family investments. WAY easier.

Well, I might rebuild my engine block and entire electrical system.
That'll be child's play compared to this radiation neuroscience

[ghettosled]

i only use a screw driver and a garden hose to flush and reverse flush the radiator, ports to the engine and the heater core. then i drain the water, connect all of the hoses, fill the radiator with pre-mixed coolant to the top, turn on the engine and keep refilling as the level drops until the engine is warm. install radiator cap and top off overflow tank.

tah-dah?

[200k_or_bust]

In English please. LOL, this is exactly why coolant flushes are more complex than a flying an airplane. No one on the planet can explain how it's done without making 100 assumptions and omissions.

[Zembonez]

WOW.

I've seen people hyper-overanalyze the most simple of processes before - but this is really beginning to take the cake.

It's coolant. Out with the old and in with the new. Unless your engine has had some sort of problem requiring repeated flushing, that's really all there is to it.

[200k_or_bust]

Originally Posted by Zembonez

It's coolant. Out with the old and in with the new. Unless your engine has had some sort of problem requiring repeated flushing, that's really all there is to it.

It's like Tiger Woods saying, "Duh, just hit the ball over there"

This is exactly why it's the hardest DIY procedure on the entire car, and why there is no DIY post.
No one can explain how to do it besides "Just do it".
Even the pros don't know how to do it. I love it.

[Zembonez]

You are one confused human.

Does it take you 8 hours to take a shower?

I think it's best that you stop looking under the hood and let the pros handle the maintenance.

[200k_or_bust]

Car repair is easy. Teenagers can do it.
Coolant flushes, on the other hand, are basically rocket science.

[Zembonez]

Originally Posted by 200k_or_bust

Car repair is easy. Teenagers can do it.
Coolant flushes, on the other hand, are basically rocket science.

Gotcha!

It is somewhat frustrating when nobody can agree on a simple service.

[garytho]

Makes 6 figures a year but drives a Camry with 200k on it,.......
He'll rebuild his engine & electrical system but can't figure out how to flush his radiator fluid,.....
This guy was obviously just a "hopeful' trying to save a buck by doing an extremely easy job himself and wasn't qualified to even open the hood.
He got frustrated that he couldn't find a thread on something as easy as changing his oil,......try finding a thread or DIY on changing your oil on here as well 200k_or_bust,.......lol,....
ROCKET SCIENCE!!!!!!! Gotta love it!!!!