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coolant system flush

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  • #613290
    BranBran
    Participant

      So my Nissan really needs a coolant flush and I looked up a couple youtube vids and they’re saying that I need to avoid getting air into the system when I flush it to prevent over heating after the job is finished. Now I have done this before on several of other cars and never had a problem with this issue. Should I be worried??? Is there some kind of technique I should be employing that I just got lucky on every other time??? Or is this just one of the many great white hypes????

    Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
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    • #613292
      BranBran
      Participant

        I should probably mention that I am planning on changing both thermostats.

        #613301
        college mancollege man
        Moderator

          [quote=”Monkey wrench” post=103530]I should probably mention that I am planning on changing both thermostats.[/quote]

          If your doing both t-stats you will be getting air in the the system
          and yes its a pain in the butt to get it out. I just did my wife’s 2004
          altima and used the spill free funnel for the first time and I got the
          air out in two hours instead of days. If you don’t have the funnel do Eric’s procedure
          per how to bleed a cooling system but run the coolant lower in the radiator
          or put a pan underneath to catch any spillage.

          #613303
          BranBran
          Participant

            [quote=”college man” post=103534][quote=”Monkey wrench” post=103530]I should probably mention that I am planning on changing both thermostats.[/quote]

            If your doing both t-stats you will be getting air in the the system
            and yes its a pain in the butt to get it out. I just did my wife’s 2004
            altima and used the spill free funnel for the first time and I got the
            air out in two hours instead of days. If you don’t have the funnel do Eric’s procedure
            per how to bleed a cooling system but run the coolant lower in the radiator
            or put a pan underneath to catch any spillage.

            Thanx for the speedy reply college man, did your wifes Nissan have a bleeder valve?

            #613305
            college mancollege man
            Moderator

              no bleeder.

              #613311
              BranBran
              Participant

                [quote=”college man” post=103536]no bleeder.[/quote] so would the no spill fill pan keep air from getting into the system, and what if I left the t stats in and didn’t mess with them ( I was just wanting to stick a hose up to the holes after I took the t stats out and flush water trough the engine via their ports)

                #613387
                college mancollege man
                Moderator

                  You could leave the t-stats but the age of the car I would suggest
                  the t-stats be done. you will also need a new gasket for the water
                  control valve. Don’t fear it. Its a PIA but not impossible. 🙂

                  #613496
                  BranBran
                  Participant

                    [quote=”college man” post=103576]You could leave the t-stats but the age of the car I would suggest
                    the t-stats be done. you will also need a new gasket for the water
                    control valve. Don’t fear it. Its a PIA but not impossible. :)[/quote] yeah your right I might as well just changem out whilst I’m in there…. so where is the water control valve (I know that’s probably a dumb question but I am just startin to get my hands dirty). Also if I do get air in my system how do I get it out with no bleeder valve, scotty kilmer said you can just leave your radiator cap off while its running…is that true. Sorry about all these questions in advance College Man, again I just changed my first set of outer bearings last month so I am still at pre-rookie status…and thanks a million for helping me with this!!!!!!!!!!!

                    #613593
                    EricTheCarGuy 1EricTheCarGuy
                    Keymaster

                      I only recommend flushing cooling systems if there’s a lot of sediment in the system. If you don’t have sediment, then all that should be required is a drain and refill of the cooling system. I say this because I’ve seen issues caused by over the counter flushing set ups. As for thermostats, I strongly recommend OE units as they seem to work out better. ANYTIME you open a cooling system for service you need to purge the air from the system. As College man pointed out you don’t need a bleeder valve, that just makes filling the system easier. Do everything else the same in the video and you should be successful at purging the air when your done. Good luck and let us know if you run into any issues.

                      #618592
                      BranBran
                      Participant

                        By over the counter set ups do you mean those prestone T flush kits??? [quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=103685]I only recommend flushing cooling systems if there’s a lot of sediment in the system. If you don’t have sediment, then all that should be required is a drain and refill of the cooling system. I say this because I’ve seen issues caused by over the counter flushing set ups. As for thermostats, I strongly recommend OE units as they seem to work out better. ANYTIME you open a cooling system for service you need to purge the air from the system. As College man pointed out you don’t need a bleeder valve, that just makes filling the system easier. Do everything else the same in the video and you should be successful at purging the air when your done. Good luck and let us know if you run into any issues.[/quote]

                        #618691
                        StephanStephan
                        Participant

                          Just check the manufacture manual.
                          Old systems cant evacuate the air thmeselves sometimes. Therefore normally a screw is placed which has to be opened to evacuate the air. However modern cars normaly evacuate themselves. I talk about german manufactures.
                          The manufactures describe how its done.
                          EXAMPLE (not for your car):
                          Overfill the water to maximum.
                          3 minutes idle speed. Raise 2 minutes to 2000 rpm. One minute to 4000 rpm. 3 Pushes to 4000 RPM. Fill water to the marked limit and youre ready to go.

                          #618819
                          KevinKevin
                          Participant

                            Unless your coolant is really terrible, there is no point of flushing the system out. Just drain, fill, and bleed the air out. I would replace the thermostat because you already have the coolant drained.

                            #618873
                            BranBran
                            Participant

                              okay so I flushed out the coolant in my car, twas a bit murky but not bad. definitely needed done though. i used the same funnel that Eric had in the above video, but i had to rev up to 3k to actually get it to suck in. Also, I filled my radiator up with water and revved until my t stats opened. Then I kicked the heat up all the way and took it for a drive. When I got back I dropped the water out then filled it up with anti freeze. So thanks for all your help guys!!!

                              #618905
                              college mancollege man
                              Moderator

                                [quote=”Monkey wrench” post=106428]okay so I flushed out the coolant in my car, twas a bit murky but not bad. definitely needed done though. i used the same funnel that Eric had in the above video, but i had to rev up to 3k to actually get it to suck in. Also, I filled my radiator up with water and revved until my t stats opened. Then I kicked the heat up all the way and took it for a drive. When I got back I dropped the water out then filled it up with anti freeze. So thanks for all your help guys!!![/quote]

                                Did you change the thermostats?

                                #618929
                                BranBran
                                Participant

                                  Nope I’m gonna wait to do that in school this fall…I figure the more work I do on my car in class the more my instructor will trust me to do on other cars and with a little luck, I will get a good recommendation for a dealership. [quote=”college man” post=106459][quote=”Monkey wrench” post=106428]okay so I flushed out the coolant in my car, twas a bit murky but not bad. definitely needed done though. i used the same funnel that Eric had in the above video, but i had to rev up to 3k to actually get it to suck in. Also, I filled my radiator up with water and revved until my t stats opened. Then I kicked the heat up all the way and took it for a drive. When I got back I dropped the water out then filled it up with anti freeze. So thanks for all your help guys!!![/quote]

                                  Did you change the thermostats?[/quote]

                                  #619076
                                  college mancollege man
                                  Moderator

                                    Gotcha 🙂

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