Date:         Thu, 20 Feb 1997 18:56:48 -0500
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Hotch <hotch@netaxs.com>
Subject:      Re: coolant system flush ideas?

David Bayer wrote:
> 
> Hello-
>         I want to flush my coolant system as the PO used regular antifreeze
> which I believe has been in there for quite a long time (well, as long as
> the engine has been in there as it was replaced). I want to use a propylene
> glycol based antifreeze instead of the ethylene glycol based stuff (or did
> I just reverse that - I have already gotten 4 gallons of the stuff to use. The
> container says that the two should not mix (which I will do when I get home,
> I would like to see if it produces some nasty gums or the like), and to
> flush the cooling system throughly before putting the new stuff in. So I
> need to figure out two things- how do I get all the coolant out of the
> system (like the raditor hoses that run to the front of the car), and then,
> how do I get clean water to cycle through the system?
>         The latter question I feel is a bit more difficult because I need to
> get the raditor cleaned out which means getting water to run up there. My
> only thoughts would be to remove the thermostat and let the car run a little
> bit to force water through the whole system. Any one have any other ideas?
> 
> dave

Dave,

Check the archives on this.  Flushing the system is pretty easy and
messy.  Basically, you need to install a "T" in the heater hose, I put
mine in above the spare tire, that will let you hook a garden hose to
it.  You can get this at any FLAPs.  Disconnect a big hose, run the
garden hose for a few minutes, connect the big hose and disconnect the
other big hose, run the garden hose again.  You will be left with about
a Gallon of water in the system so add a Gallon of antifreeze then top
it off with a 50/50 mix and bleed.

DON'T RUN THE ENGINE TO FLUSH, sounds like trouble to me.

Hotch
86GL
Philly