coolant flush

Nubcake · Post by **Nubcake** » 26 May 2018, 19:26

Okies so I finished up my PCV job and decided to flush the coolant. I emptied the radiator and poured some distilled water into the coolant reservoir (why can't there be a radiator cap). I turned the car on hoping it would empty the reservoir and I could add more, but it won't. Turns out my upper coolant clamp wasn't tight and the system wasn't being pressurized. I fixed that, yet I still can't get water the empty the reservoir. I have about 6qts dumped into it, but most of it is in the reservoir. I noticed I have a pin hole leak in the reservoir, but this never caused issues before. Any suggestions?

Post by **Rattnalle** » 27 May 2018, 07:33

You need to drive the car so that the thermostat opens before it fills properly.

Nubcake · Post by **Nubcake** » 27 May 2018, 07:53

i've driven it around town for at least a half hour with the heat cranked on full. No low coolant lights or anything ever come on telling me to add more.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 27 May 2018, 08:16

Heat cranked to full will make it slower. You need the heating system to get hot, not you

You should be able to get as much back in as you drained out else something funny is going on.

If it was me I'd just do another drain and be done with it.

Nubcake · Post by **Nubcake** » 27 May 2018, 08:23

sorry first time doing any of this lol. I just want something in the cooling system as I broke the petcock and can't drain it right now. Parts are ordered. It seems to be a common theme for me of doing a simple job and taking 3 times as long to complete it

thanks!

Post by **Rattnalle** » 27 May 2018, 08:38

Just keep a bottle in the boot then for when the message does appear

As long as you know the coolant level is low because you didn't fill it up the urgent message usually isn't very urgent. It's more urgent if you're suddenly loosing coolant for no known reason..

Nubcake · Post by **Nubcake** » 27 May 2018, 21:26

Well I did end up driving a bit with no heat on and the coolant level stayed the same. When I drained the radiator, I only pulled 4 qts out. Yeah I dunno. I'll keep driving it, but can't really do anything until I get another petcock to drain it again.