Coolant flush and change

[gjwilson]

Quick question,
How do you flush the entire coolant system on a 3200?
I have looked at some of the "how to" guides and they look spot on, and makes it look pretty straight forward, but there is something that's concerning me.
The one I am referring to states "you should have collected around 4ltrs of fluid

http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showthread.php/607-3200-Thermostat-removal-and-replacement-how-to

But I am of the impression the 3200 takes approx. 14litres.
So how do I get it all out? or at least nearly all out?

If I have missed something obvious or cant read, feel free to mock

Thanks in advance

 

[hodroyd]

The 4 Litres referred to is from the Thermostat and the pipes leading to it, NOT THE WHOLE ENGINE COOLANT..!! To flush the engine completely you would need to disconnect pipes so you have an in and and out without restriction, such as in by the open pipe after the thermostat, so not trying to push through the thermostat..??

 

[2b1ask1]

Don't know the 3200 in detail but starting off by pulling the bottom hose off the radiator is preferable to trying the drain plug on a 15 year old radiator! As a general rule stick a hose in the top and let it sort itself out; the 4200 has a vent bolt on each bank at the front you really need to vent after working on the system or you could end up with issues. I just let it run till it is clear, drain it again and then connect up, start by adding all but 1/2 a litre of a gallon of neat antifreeze then top up with water till it appears full, knock down the remainder of the antifreeze and use that to keep the header topped up as you vent the system. I found pulling the top hose off the heater matrix aided the venting considerably

 

[Rex B]

I am not sure if there is a drain on the engine block as the manual only shows the coolant being drained by removing the hoses from the radiator and engine including the thermostat which is as Hodroyd said.
When I changed my radiator I needed around 8 litres to refill the system and I mixed the antifreeze 50 / 50 with distilled water before filling. No venting is required as explained in previous article, but fill the system slowly to the full mark, run the engine until its hot topping up as required and don't fill above the high level on the header tank. If you want to flush the system full because of blockages then I would imagine you would need to do the system in sections i.e Flush the radiator with a garden hose connected to the top connection and just run water through the radiator, and then do the same using one of the top connections to the engine. I don't hovever see the point in this unless you know you have a blockage in the system.

Rex B
Manual 3200

 

[gjwilson]

Thanks for the replies guys.
No blockage, just time for a complete once over on the car and this is on the list.

Well looks like I have a job for the weekend then..............we shall see how it goes!!

 

[hodroyd]

Just don't soak the electrics, or you could face even bigger issues that you did not expect..!!