Thread: radiator flush assistance please

Geeze i know how hard this is i have a v8 1995 d1 and it takes alot of patience to get the hose of let alone getting it back on, i got a flatty under the lip and pulled and it slowly came of, had to get my missus to get the hose back on though as she got a better grip having smaller hands. i spent a very! long time just flushing my system and had to remove this many times and by far the worst design ever but unfortunately with the stock rad i think its the only place to do it, if im wrong people please tell me haha
also it was alot easier from under the car, its very snug due to the t piece tubbing

Nothing for it except elbow grease. A short crowbar will help prise the rubber hose back, but where there is not much flexibility in the hose it is rather hard. Prepare to get wet.

If you're just draining the fluid, don't bother taking off the bottom hose. Just drop a small hose down through the filler plug and oil cooler and siphon it out. I have a 2 metre piece of 8mm clear plastic reinforced air hose that keep for that job.

I think endured such pain and injury....my brain has blotted out all memory of 'how' I did it, But arms were scratched & bruised, ego likewise dented...
- Have a sneaking feeling that replacing the hose, which I did, rather than removing/replacing one end is easier, - but don't hold me to it!

Yes BeeUteys's suggestion of a hole or length of pipe is a good one. - maybe add a wet'n'dry vacuum if you're looking at "flushing" rather than simply replacing coolant.

Since you're going to take out that ridiculous plastic bung, now is a good time to replace it with a brass one. Jordan Rover-Tech has them for around $10 or so. The original one has been in there for way too long, and they tend to disintergrate when removed. Mine did...

Whilst you're down there.... have a good look at how well the hose is sealing on the water pump. If the alloy is corroding....you might want to think about replacing the pump too...

Actually, you may as well pull the whole engine out, fix the oil leaks, worn out camshaft, stretched chain, IGN module.........

How's your radiator ?

Thanks for all the replies. Which plastic plug are you talking about? I couldnt locate the drainage plugs on the bottom of the block as it appeared they were located behind the engine mounts?? Can anyone confirm this??

Can anyone confirm this??

YES.

Funny I have never found the bottom hose to be a problem. One thing I bought was a long screwdriver with a little sleeve at the bottom that fits over the jubilee clip head.
It's a lot easier if you remove the fan and shroud which should only be a 5 minute job.
I have never removed the block drains, as a flush through with the hose, and then fill with distilled then refill with distilled and the same brand and type of coolant ( Nulon Longlife green) has always been sufficient for me, and my radiator core was/is still in good condition after 12years.
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by RRC1990

Thanks for all the replies. Which plastic plug are you talking about? I couldnt locate the drainage plugs on the bottom of the block as it appeared they were located behind the engine mounts?? Can anyone confirm this??

Apologies, been a a bit absent lately... (Wife would'nt argue that one!)

It's the small - about an inch dia. plastic plug on the top driver's side of the radiator. Got a hex head as well as groove for using a screwdriver. Used to fill the radiator/cooling system and bleeding it etc.
Because the tanks are mounted on the sides, a hose inserted here can reach the bottom, and pretty well suck out from there. (See BeeUtey's Cunning Idea)

Being at the top of the tank, means they get pretty hot, - plastic and heat are not made for Long Life Together. - they break down and have been known to be popped out, but usually leak or break when moved.
"Everyone" eventually replaces them, with brass.

- Got your hose off yet?
- New one installed?
- and hands covered in scratches ?