Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

How do I flush the cooling system?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 03:56 AM
  #1  
joez28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default How do I flush the cooling system?

I have used the search button and could not seem to find any info on how to properly flush the cooling system. I also read through Install University and could not find any specific instructions on how to do this job. Any tips would be appreciated along with any helpfull links. Thanx alot

Joe!
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 06:03 PM
  #2  
eallanboggs's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans
Default Re: How do I flush the cooling system?

You can buy a kit at any auto parts store. It taps into the heater core hose. One note of interest is that 18 wheelers use a filter on the water to filter out the trash that clogs up the radiator because they run such high mileage on their trucks. Sounds like a pretty good idea for cars too. Your radiator and heater core would continue to flow for years without getting plugged up.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2003 | 10:03 PM
  #3  
DaddySS's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County, NJ
Default Re: How do I flush the cooling system?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by joez28:
<strong> I have used the search button and could not seem to find any info on how to properly flush the cooling system. I also read through Install University and could not find any specific instructions on how to do this job. Any tips would be appreciated along with any helpfull links. Thanx alot

Joe! </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It depends why you want to flush, is it contaminated or are you just doing maintenance?
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2003 | 08:22 AM
  #4  
VipZ28's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Default Re: How do I flush the cooling system?

HMMM... I think I like the filter idea, I'm gonna have to take a gander the next time my uncle stops by.

Back the question: Is it just time for routine maintenence, or are you experienceing a problem? If it's just maintence, goto the parts store, and grab the flush and fill kit, If you're experienceing problems, best bet to to have it power flushed some where, because failing that it's time to have the radiator rodded out <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2003 | 03:09 PM
  #5  
joez28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default Re: How do I flush the cooling system?

Im just performing routine maintenence on the car. I just bought the car a month ago and want to make sure its got this done for piece of mind. I wanted to know where to unplug the cooling system to get all the fluid out. The car runs fine and I have had no problems with overheating or anything.
Reply
Old Feb 1, 2003 | 03:58 PM
  #6  
DaddySS's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County, NJ
Default Re: How do I flush the cooling system?

The best way to flush for routine maintenance is to open the drain at the base of the remove the thermostat and remove the block drain. Fill with clean water, let it reshc operating temperature, drain again and refill.

After refilling, be sure to wait until the thermostat opens, top off the radiator, close the radiator cap and then fill the resevoir to the fill line.

By the way, the manual recommends 5 years or 150000 mile service intervals.
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2003 | 01:21 PM
  #7  
joez28's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default Re: How do I flush the cooling system?

Where is the coolant block drain??
Thanks!
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2003 | 02:32 PM
  #8  
Black Sunshine/ 00SS's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,161
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Default Re: How do I flush the cooling system?

One is up under the starter, and there is another up by the oil filter pad.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 3, 2003 | 04:20 PM
  #9  
Chivalry101's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Default Re: How do I flush the cooling system?

The easiest way to make sure the water that you put back in your car is clean is to buy distilled water from the grocery store. It's only $0.69 per gallon, and with a full flush you won't need more that 10 gallons. I did it this weekend and I used 6 gal. There are 3 drain plugs, the thermostat, the block drain, and the bottom right corner of the radiator itself. If you use a flush kit, you are gonna have to drain and fill 3 times, and then add the cooland. Make sure to use the dex-cool coolant (orange not green) there is some lubricant in it for your waterpump.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:55 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE