I've done the searches and found some things about the flush but what is the best recommended way to flush the engine block, heater core and radiator.
http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.php?f=11&i=91410&t=91315#91410 suggests one way
from another site
"loose the bottom hose connecting to the radiator to flush the radiator
then connect it again.. then loose the top one going to the radiator to flush engine and radiator
after u loose the top hose turn engine on and use a water hose to make the water travel thru the engine and radiator
but dont turn engine on when u loose the bottom one cause the water wont run thru the engine
keep doing it untill u see the water comming out clean"
The car is a 97 2.2 Cavalier. Now Im guessing the car hasnt had its coolent changed in all 10 years since its inception because it hasnt reached 150k, but I would like to get it done without being charged an arm and a leg.
Thanks
10 years without a coolant change thats insane. The thing says for Dexcool 150k, OR 5 years.
But my teacher who worked at GM for 18 years, says by 100 you should have it flushed out.
Anyways the only way to get all the coolant out is to use one of the pressure machines that actually forces coolant out.
Draining just the radiator wont remove it from the heater core and block.
Best advice just pay the $70 a shop wants to get it done.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
I payed the $90 with tax to have my flushed by a rad shop and filled with dex-cool again.
Yeah they say 150,000 or 5 years, just had my done 3 days ago and my car is a 98; so its been 8 years for my car and 130,000 km; but yeah you should probally get it done after the 1st 100,000; but its all good
98 j-body sedan
It should be done now. I know the owners manual says 150000 miles, but that is too long. I had mine done in 2003 when I only had it for 5 years and about 50,000 miles. I wouldn't leave it in any longer than that. I go by 5 years or 50,000 miles.
If you decide to do it yourself, drain the radiator, than fill with water, run engine till up to running temp, drain again. Do this a couple of times to insure you get as much of the old fluid out of the system including the heater core. When the fluid that you drain is nothing but water, than you are done. Fill with a 50/50 mixture of Dexcool and water and you be done. That is the DIY method. Best method is let a shop do it with a pressure system. It doesn't take as long to do it that way.
98 Z24
RIP Specks
Time is not a worry, I could spend a weekend doing it if I wanted to. I was just trying to figure out the best way to do it without flushing all the nasty stuff back into the internals and the what not.
