Thread: Cooling system flush

Originally Posted by braddles1

I have a leaking radiator which I intend to have repaired. After reviewing the RAVE CD it says not to flush the system under the section on 'draining'

Can anyone explain why I shouldn't flush the system? Has anyone flushed theirs with problems/nil concerns?

My car is a Series 1 Disco with 3.9L Auto...

I just dont want to stuff something whilst trying to do the right thing considering I have been using a mixture of tap and distilled water to top up the system...

Cheers

Well that one got me, I always flushed my D1, and I still flush my D2 ???

Never had any issues

The D1 Rave states as you say, so I checked the D2 Rave

It says "Flush the system with water under low pressure. Do not use water under high pressure.................."

Can really see why there would be a difference, the engine/system is very similar.

the pressure is the key you want a flow through the system and air with it to agitate everything.

If you do something dumb like say hook it up to a fire engine and turn the pumps on rather than letting it gravity feed your radiator will do its very best to impersonate a baloon...

Its not very good at it....

it may just mean dont flush using the gerni.......

a garden hose is enough.......

How often should you do it?

Originally Posted by njz

How often should you do it?

I really dont know - but I always do mine twice a year, at the end of summer and at the end of winter.

Maybe a bit OTT

ladas, if your living somewhere where the temp regulalry gets sub zero thats actually the right thing to do.

exposure to cold (negative temps) shortens the life of some coolants and can increase the formation of silicate crud in the radiator.

Sorry to be off on a different tangent, but where do you dispose of your used coolant if you are doing it yourself?

I am led to believe that old coolant is quite poisionous and should never ever be just let down the drains. So what are you guys doing with your used coolant?