Coolant Flush

[RussBird82]

I'm looking at getting a coolant flush done when my 4200 is booked in for an oil change next week. Although I'm more than capable of doing the job myself I have limited means to do anything underneath the car as my driveway is on a slope. Question is: When it comes to a coolant change would a specialist garage naturally purge the system of all existing coolant? Or is this expecting too much? I'd like to think they use a vacuum pump as standard but fear they might just drain the rad/block and call it quits, which would pee me off if I was paying for it to be done correctly. Anyone have any experience of what garages actually do when it comes to a coolant change?

 

[Zep]

If they are just changing the coolant I imagine they would drain from the rad and just put some more in. If you are asking for a full flush I would see that as taking off the hose from the rad and running it through with water before refilling.

 

[digitaladam]

Let the shop know about the 2 bleeder screws on the front of the engine, ahead of the valve covers (Page 5) for after they fill it

 

[RussBird82]

If they are just changing the coolant I imagine they would drain from the rad and just put some more in. If you are asking for a full flush I would see that as taking off the hose from the rad and running it through with water before refilling.

The more I read the more I think I'm best doing it myself. I've done a flush before on a V6 but the principles are the same.

 

[midlifecrisis]

The more I read the more I think I'm best doing it myself. I've done a flush before on a V6 but the principles are the same.

At least you'll know that it's been done correctly and you'll get to know your car better.

 

[Nibby]

I’m guessing the thermostat closed stops a blast through with a hose for a proper clean so are you not limited to undoing the bottom hose and refilling and refilling again when the thermostat opens?