Coolant drain and fill

[V8 Yankee]

I just completed a coolant drain and fill on my 21 1.5. Here was my procedure and some tips. I started by draining the system at the radiator petcock. Be extra careful as this a plastic valve. I had to remove the air tube at the bottom of the radiator to get a clear path to the petcock. Be gentle, I used a 7/8th socket which fit perfect on the valve. I drained apprx. 3 quarts, refilled with distilled water and did this 2 more times, added cleaner on the fourth, drained, refilled 2 more times to remove cleaner and then added Prestone 350k coolant concentrate with 8 oz of Rislone conditioner. I'll drive it a few days and suck out approx. 1 quart of coolant from the reservoir. This will allow me to use the entire gallon of Prestone after that the system will have a 50/50 mix of coolant. This processtook approx. 2.5 hours as I ran the engine for 10 minutes between refills. Tip: squeeze the upper hose to help remove air while the engine is getting up to temp and run the heater at full the whole time. Again, be gentle with the petcock, do not over turn, 3/4 turn is enough. I bought a coolant funnel and adapters on Amazon for $22, this was money very well spent and I highly recommend using this kit, it is not as good as using a professional vacume system but close. Good luck.

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[catrikejoe]

The way we flushed cooling systems at the shop remove lower radiator hose let everything drain then run fresh water through radiator until it clears up reattach lower hose fill with water run engine till thermostat opens shut off then remove lower hose flush radiator again with fresh water reattach lower hose then mix two gallons into bucket using coolant vacuum tool that eliminates any air pockets.

 

[catrikejoe]

Update we never touched those plastic drain plugs, guarantee troubles on older vehicles.

 

[V8 Yankee]

I have to say that draincock looked like an accident waiting to happen, just a mild over-torque could break it. I agree with the method your shop does it, however I saved a couple of hundred dollars and I know 100% it was done by my standards which fits into my obsessive compulsive maintenance routine. Thankfully I'll never have to touch it again unless a hose breaks or the radiator gives out.

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