Date:         Tue, 6 Jan 2004 10:00:26 -0500
Reply-To:     David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Subject:      Re: Alternative coolant flush procedure?
Comments: To: Matt Sutton <msutts@EARTHLINK.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <BC2032C1.32B0%msutts@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Tue, 6 Jan 2004, Matt Sutton wrote:

>     I've been trying to figure out a way to do a flush w/out a garage space
> of my own or access to a garden hose for water. I've come up with this, and
> wanted to get some opinions:
> - drain coolant as completely as possible

To really drain completely you'll have to pull one of the radiator hoses.
I tried it without pulling a rad hose and found at least a gallon of
coolant stayed in the system.  Don't forget to open the radiator bleeder
and heater valve.

> - replace with straight distilled water, do the normal run & bleed routine
> till completely filled. Let sit for a few hours, maybe over night.
> - Drain water
> - replace questionable hoses, water pump, thermostat
> - re-fill with coolant with correct mix, bleed.
>
> Now, I know straight water is a bad idea.  I'm thinking on the short term it
> could be effective.

I think this is a reasonable flush procedure, but leaving it overnight is
unnecessary.  By the time you've bled the system the water pump will have
thoroughly mixed everything up.  You'll probably have to do two fill and
drain cycles with water before it stops coming out green (or blue or
orange, depending on the coolant that was in there.)

I think it would be fine to use tap water for the flushes and save the
distilled for your final fill.  Unless your water is very hard the small
amount of tap water lingering in the system won't have enough minerals in
it to be problematic.


David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Volkswagen Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si -- For Sale
'86 Volvo 240DL wagon