Any tips for flushing engine coolant as well as heat exchanger coolant?

weider1717

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First inner cooled car I am familiar with flushing coolant and burping but what is the best way and place to drain the heat exchanger.



I will be using the ford GOLD coolant do you guys recommend the premixed 50/50 they offer or the concentrate and add distilled water myself and make it maybe like 70% water and 30% coolant.

car is a 2007



Thanks
 
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RBB

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The heat exchanger is easy to drain. Just disconnect the hose at the inlet and it'll all come pouring out. If you want to make sure you get all the old coolant, you'll then need to remove the 4 bolts holding the exchanger in place, tip it over on it's side, and let it drain. I'd recommend doing this, as there is still quite a bit of coolant in there after pulling the hose.
 

spitin venom

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I believe there is a drain of sorts on the bottom pass side of the radiator. Very easy to do.
 

Snoopy49

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1. Recommended coolant concentration is 48/52 to 50/50 (freeze protection -34°C (-30°F) and -37°C (-34°F)) engine coolant to distilled water.

2. For extremely cold climates (less than -37°C (-34°F):

 It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above 50%.


 NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.


Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40 for cold weather areas.


 A coolant concentration of 60% provides freeze point protection down to -50°C (-58°F).


 Engine coolant concentration above 60% will decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.


3. For extremely hot climates:

 It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration above 40%.


 NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.


Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60 for warm weather areas.


 A coolant concentration of 40% provides freeze point protection down to -34°C (-30°F).


 Engine coolant concentration below 40% will decrease the corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.


4. Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 48/52 to 50/50 (freeze protection -34°C (-30°F) and -37°C (-34°F)) mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system and engine protection.
 

Robert M

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First inner cooled car I am familiar with flushing coolant and burping but what is the best way and place to drain the heat exchanger.



I will be using the ford GOLD coolant do you guys recommend the premixed 50/50 they offer or the concentrate and add distilled water myself and make it maybe like 70% water and 30% coolant.

car is a 2007



Thanks

I drained my H/E as mentioned above (as much as would come out with the lower hose removal), then I disconnected one hose at the I/C and took a shop vac, the blower side and blew through that system and quite a bit more old fluid came out of the H/E.

I bought a LC (Liquid Cooled) in-line fitting from Kenne Bell and am going to powder coat it black and install a petcock at the lower hose location on the H/E for easy draining in the future.

I did similar hose disconnections and shop vac blower for the engine cooling system, there is more fluid in the block and oil cooler lines that does not drain with a simple opening of the radiator petcock.



R
 
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mikes35

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So it's as simple as drain and fill? I called the dealer, it was $100 for them to do it.
 

weider1717

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Thanks for all the replies the 170 tstat was delivered yesterday I will stop by and pick up some ford gold today.

Which do you guys recommend? the pre-mixed 50/50 or the consentrate and dilute it a bit more than 50/50 with distilled water, I am in SC.
 

weider1717

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Good thought but I checked amazon after you mentioning this and it is $21 I believe and called my local ford dealer they said for a "gallon" concentrate gold is $16.71 and the pre mix was either $11 or $12 something didn't even write it down when I heard they was cheaper.

Shocking, I know.....surprised me
 

Robert M

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Or you could do the Evans coolant change in both cooling systems and never worry about it again.... ; )

No rust, no corrosion...........a beautiful thing.




R
 

Robert M

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Interesting concept. Wonder how good it works?

After all possible old coolant/water is removed, Evans has a flush that has to be used first and then test strips that verify the amount of water left in the system, once the water level is less than 3%, the system is ready for the Evans coolant. They say that the lack of water is what eliminates the rust and corrosion in the system and the coolant that they provide reduces heat and preserves the system from rust and oxidation. I believe there are different Evans coolants depending upon , cast iron, cast and aluminum, all aluminum, etc. For a GT500 (both systems) it is about $350 for the flush, the test strips, some other items and the amount of coolant needed. Jay Leno swears by the stuff, and he has many cooling systems to protect.




R
 

mikes35

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Anyone know how many gallons the 07-09 systems hold? My local dealer is $20 a gallon for concentrate.
 

mikes35

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Found the amount needed is 4 gallons for the engine cooling system, 4 quarts for the supercharger cooling system. The manual says to use drinkable water, doesn't specify distilled water. Don't forget to flush the heater core, I'd hate to have to replace that....
 

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