97 Corolla flush!

[zeek1403]

I have a 97 Corolla with the 1.6 litre engine. The anti-freeze needs to be changed. I have the backflush kit and supplies. It doesn't look like the block drain plug will budge. After I flush it, can I just drain the radiator of water and put in straight anti-freeze? I'm assuming that it will be around 50/50. Am I right? This one does have the overflow tank on it.

[bonnie*]

I guess you know how to flush radiator so I an not going into the details of flushing.

If you have used any radiator-seal (borate) additives in past, better to flush it without any pro-flushing agent just with tap water.

After I flush it, can I just drain the radiator of water and put in straight anti-freeze? I'm assuming that it will be around 50/50. Am I right? This one does have the overflow tank on it.

Yeah, you are right, after flushing, you may drain cooling system completely, re-fill it with pre-mix 50/50 branded radiator coolent preferably Propelyne Glycol based rather than Ethelyn Glycol based. You may fill radiator to the top as well as overflow tank upto full-mark coz any way additional coolant will be thrown out via over-flow hose.

[zeek1403]

That doesn't answer my question. There will be pure water in the block. Can I put pure anti-freeze in the radiator and expect a full 50/50 mix?

[bonnie*]

to remove pure water in engine block and transmission cooling system you have to jack the car and remove the bottom connection hoses on radiator and re-install it.

i did not went in this details before coz 50/50 + block pure water will not affect your system much except additional labour.

[zeek1403]

So pulling off the hoses lets all the water out of the block? I'm not quite sure that I understand. Also, where is the the thermostat located?

[ghost_ryder35]

Originally Posted by bonnie*

I guess you know how to flush radiator so I an not going into the details of flushing.

If you have used any radiator-seal (borate) additives in past, better to flush it without any pro-flushing agent just with tap water.

you should use distilled water, as tap water has minerals that will deposit them selfs to your radiator and cooling system all around. you dont have to use distilled water, but its the safer alternative.

[bonnie*]

ghost_ryder35 vbmenu_register("postmenu_1597921", true); : I do agree with you better option is distilled water rather than tap water.

zeek1403 vbmenu_register("postmenu_1597911", true); : Thermostat is located (inside) near by coolant temperature sensor on inlet-pipe hose

[bonnie*]

Can I put pure anti-freeze in the radiator and expect a full 50/50 mix?

ANSWER: NO, JUST CAN NOT.

ALL ANTIFREEZE ARE HIGLY COROSSIVE, YOUR RADIATOR WILL START LEAKING SOON.
PURPOSE OF ANTIFREEZE IS TO LOWER DOWN FREEZING POINT OF WATER (WHICH IS A REAL COOLING AGENT) AND HIGHER THE BOILING POINT UPTO 200~250 DEG C.

THE BEST RATIO FOUND BY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IS 50/50 OR UT THE MOST 60/40 (ANTI-FREEZE TO WATER) COZ I TRIED ALL DIFFRENCT RATIOS LIKE 40/60, 50/50, 60/40 AND 70/30, BUT 50/50 WORKED BEST FOR COOLING IN WINTER AS WELL AS SUMMER.

[94_Rolla_Guy]

i see what your trying to do, my advise is to look in the manual and see the capacity i think its around 8 liters

i would drain the radiator down as much as possible without removing the block drain then put the hoses back on or close the rad drain, then measure out half the capacity about 4L in water and see if you can get it all in, if so redrain everything flush it and go ahead with your plan leave the flushing water in the block then fill the rad with pure antifreeze, soon as you start it it will all mix, BTW back flush the heater core too

[schn0354]

Get the engine up to operating temperature and try again to remove the block coolant drain plug. Guessing on the ratio will be innacurate. The torque specs for the bolt are only 12 ft./lbs., so someone over-tightened the bolt. Use plenty of WD-40 to loosen it. Do not be afraid to apply heat with a torch if necessary to the bolt. Heat is your friend. You should be able to loosen it with a 3/8" breaker bar and some force. It is a plug, and will not stretch/break like a traditional bolt.