Questions About Coolant

[kevcouto]

Ok here are a few questions that I have. I have been reading articles and posts here, and I have had conflicting opinions.

1. How do I remove the cap on top of the radiator. I twist it to unlock it, but it doesn't move up or down or twist more. I don't get it.

2. The plug underneath is where. I am looking under the car and all I see is plastic. Is it inside the door that says open here. I couldn't look that far underneath.

3. People say to flush the system when it is hot, but how is that possible, because as soon as you unlock the cap, coolant boils out and will definately burn you. Same will no doubt happen when you unscrew the bottom (which I am unable to find).

4. When I am cleaning out the system, will I just be able to run water through it while I am running the engine, or when it is closed.

5. When I finally clean out the system with the water, how do I make sure all the water is gone and not trapped in the engine when I do the coolant mix. If I were to mix 50/50 and then throw it in, but there is still a lot of water, then my mix will become bad, and I live in Canada and I can't risk water in my system. IT WILL FREEZE.

I think thats all I need to know. Help will be appreciated, and if I think of anything else I will be back.

 

[Pro5Monkey]

Here you go Kev. Check out page 3....

http://protege5.ugly.net/01-12.PDF

If this doesn't clear it up for you, take it to a mechanic you trust. (rockon)

BTW, page 2 tells you to let the engine and coolant cool before fooling around with it

 

[kevcouto]

I have seen that everywhere, but that is the problem. It all contradicts everything. And that doesn't tell me where the coolant drain plug is either.

 

[peepsalot]

The top is kinda weird how it undoes, you will turn it some, and then it feels like it's come to a stopping point but it can really turn some more. Push it down or at a different angle or something it will come off eventually. Don't force it, it doesn't require a lot of effort.

The drain plug is on the bottom and it is built into the radiator endtank. So that should give you an idea how far back it is. It is basically inside that plastic door.

When I drained mine, the coolant was just going all over the place, and splattering on the plastic guards there, not sure how it's supposed to be done properly. Watch your eyes!

I never flushed it properly, so I don't know the correct procedure for that. I just drained and refilled, since I was only removing the raditor to get to my turbo.

 

[kevcouto]

Ok i will try to turn it even more. This still leaves a lot of unaswered questions.

 

[kevcouto]

by the way, any one have photos of this being done?

 

[falsedawn]

Yes, you really need to empty the system when it is hot. Just unscrew the plastic plug on the bottom (if you have an auto).
Yes, you get a bit of hissing and stuff, and hot coolant, but as long as you do it real quick and get your hands out the way and wear eye protection, it's not a problem.
If you drain cold, you are only doing half a job, since the thermostat will be closed, meaning the block and heater will not be drained.
Do the first drain cold, though, since the coolant is most concentrated and you don't want this spraying everywhere.

I wouldn't advise running a hose through while the engine is running as you may get water pump cavitation or something stupid.

Best just to drain and refill 2 or 3 times with distilled water, running the engine till operating temp is reached and the 'stat is open, with the heater on hot until what comes out is well diluted and close to pure water.

Then pour a gallon of pure antifreeze in slowly and then top off with distilled water. This should give you around 50% coolant mix.

 

[Pro5Monkey]

by the way, any one have photos of this being done?

If your hand looks like this, you did it wrong....

 

[kevcouto]

I have a manual transmission. Is the drain plug different

 

[trbomp5]

Yes, you really need to empty the system when it is hot. Just unscrew the plastic plug on the bottom (if you have an auto).
Yes, you get a bit of hissing and stuff, and hot coolant, but as long as you do it real quick and get your hands out the way and wear eye protection, it's not a problem.
If you drain cold, you are only doing half a job, since the thermostat will be closed, meaning the block and heater will not be drained.
Do the first drain cold, though, since the coolant is most concentrated and you don't want this spraying everywhere.

That is absolutley incorrect. You should NEVER do this hot. That is completely stupid. Your themostat has a little notch in it that permits flow even when closed. It does not fully shut off the flow ever.

I wouldn't advise running a hose through while the engine is running as you may get water pump cavitation or something stupid.

Best just to drain and refill 2 or 3 times with distilled water, running the engine till operating temp is reached and the 'stat is open, with the heater on hot until what comes out is well diluted and close to pure water.

Then pour a gallon of pure antifreeze in slowly and then top off with distilled water. This should give you around 50% coolant mix.

I was a Service Manager at 2 different Toyota dealers and the SM at in independent service center. The only way to flush your system at home to get a flush as effective as a shops is to do this.

1. LET IT COOL OFF.
2. remove cap, turn then push down and turn another 1/4 turn then take it off.
3. remove overflow canister top.
4. drain the radiator through the little door and the petcock at the bottom of the radiator.
5. close the petcock back up.
6. remove the upper radiator hose from the radiator
7. stick a garden hose in the radiator cap and turn on the water
8. start car and let it pump around the water untill it comes out nice and clear.
9. re-drain everything
10. close up the petcock
11. fill up with your 50/50 mix
12. wait a while and then top off again. (it will fill the engine slowly through the small notch in the thermostat.)
13. fill up overflow
14. with cap off start car and watch for the fluid to drop and then toip as needed.
15. as soon as its full shut off car, put on cap.
16. check again in a few days to make sure its all full.

 

[kevcouto]

that seems like decent instructions. How about on a manual. Is the petcock on the bottom of the radiator as well.

 

[trbomp5]

that seems like decent instructions. How about on a manual. Is the petcock on the bottom of the radiator as well.

I would have to say yes, but cant be for sure. Most everycar out there has it on the bottom though.

 

[kevcouto]

I will look into it, because in the manual there are two different pictures of the rad.

 

[Action Jackson]

I've never done the coolant before.

On page 1-12-3 of the "manual", the coolant drain plug is in front of the rad for Manual transmissions, and on the bottom of the rad for automatic transmissions.

 

[kevcouto]

exactly, but I look on the fron of the rad and see no such plug, unless its hidding inside the bumper. That would mean that I would have to remove the bumper or what.

 

[kevcouto]

any pics of anything would be awesome though

 

[P-Funk!]

Nope nope nope.
There is a little plastic flap/door under the radiator. Open it and you will see a round plastic thingy (doncha' love the technical jargon! . That is the petcock.

 

[Pro5Monkey]

any pics of anything would be awesome though

Anything?

 

[falsedawn]

That is absolutley incorrect. You should NEVER do this hot. That is completely stupid. Your themostat has a little notch in it that permits flow even when closed. It does not fully shut off the flow ever.

:bs:

When I drained it hot, at least twice as much came out as when it was cold.
Sure, there might be a tiny dribble, but I don't want to wait 2 days for it to drain, thankyou.

The whole idea of the thermostat is to block water flow until the engine is hot. So you used to be a service manager, eh? No wonder people are weary of letting other people fiddle with their cars...

I also think running a hose in the radiator is a bad idea because of the potential for air pockets to develop. Plus you're gonna get a load of "hose water" sitting in your block afterwards.

 

[kevcouto]

well then if the hose is a bad idea, how do I run water to clean the system out, and should the car be runnning or not. And can someone tell me that they are sure that on a manual, the petcock is also underneath because the pictures says otherwise. Thanks.. And if it is so hot, won't it melt all the plastic near the flap when it squirts everywhere, or burn my self, because there is not way I can unscrew the petcock without my hand under there and my face to see where it is....