Coolant Flush?

[Thewolf]

I'm thinking of doing a radiator flush on my 2000 3400 alero, but I can't seem to locate the drain plug on the rad. Does anybody have any idea of where it's located?

Also I was talking to a mechanic and his opinion is that if I change the coolant from dex-cool (red) to prestone (green) I would have problems with the LIM gasket. Did anybody have that problem before or perhaps going though the same right now?

Looking forward for any advice

Thank you

[hotrodwolf]

Lower intake gaskets are one of the most common problems with the 3.4. But, now it is found to be partially caused by the dexcool. I would Flush it and change the coolant over. How many miles are on your car? If around 100000 or more, you may want to get the new style intake gaskets anyway.(as yours will probably fail soon.) But no, I put new gaskets in now, and only use standard coolant. Its been good for 60000 miles so far.

[Thewolf]

Thanks for the help. My car has around 250,XXX km's which is around 155,XXX miles. So it'll be better off to put the metal LIM gaskets.

I want to do the flush by myself. How do I drain the old coolant? and is it worth it doing it myself?

[FlyingSpoon]

As far as I know not all alero`s have a drain plug on the rad. if it does it should be on the drivers side at the bottom of the rad, a white valve with a alen key hole to open it. if you dont have a drain valve then you will need to disconnect the hose and drain it that way.

Now I plan on flushing my coolant tomorrow or on Saturday, so if you need help let me know. Also might be a good idea to remove the overflow tank onces it`s empty, and clean it right out

[Thewolf]

I do have a white drain plug on my rad.

Wouldn't it be better to flush it out from the bottom hose? Because this coolant never got flushed since the car was built. But the thing is that the bottom hose is in a weird angle, and trying to fit a tool in there is a PITA.

[sleepyalero]

i just removed the hose that goes from the tank to the bottom of radiator. but i plan on changing my coolant from dexcool to something else.

but idk what else i can use that will be okay.

[zzyzzx]

The drain plug is there, but if you just turn it nothing will likely happen. You have to turn it, AND pull it out.

[lord2heart]

i tore the shit out of my drain plug. it was realy soft and crappy.

so i bought this (http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Radiator-Drain-Petchicken-Dorman---Help_89015359-P_739_R|GRPCOOLAMS_215793946___) which was way better

[FlyingSpoon]

yeah the stock ones are crappy, I busted one in half last week. where you get that new one? definitely be handy.

[lord2heart]

Thanks for the help. My car has around 250,XXX km's which is around 155,XXX miles. So it'll be better off to put the metal LIM gaskets.

I want to do the flush by myself. How do I drain the old coolant? and is it worth it doing it myself?

everything is worth doing it yourself long your able to do it. you'l gain the experiences and knowledge from it. thing is figuring out how to dispose of the used coolent

[lord2heart]

yeah the stock ones are crappy, I busted one in half last week. where you get that new one? definitely be handy.

you could order it from the website i linked or go to some local parts store like, napa? autozone? etc..

[FlyingSpoon]

The local dump takes any used oil/coolant for free here.

[zzyzzx]

i tore the shit out of my drain plug. it was realy soft and crappy.

so i bought this (http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Radiator-Drain-Petchicken-Dorman---Help_89015359-P_739_R|GRPCOOLAMS_215793946___) which was way better

Yeah, but those "Help" items are crap too. I would have gone to the dealer.

[Thewolf]

i just removed the hose that goes from the tank to the bottom of radiator. but i plan on changing my coolant from dexcool to something else.

but idk what else i can use that will be okay.

I think by removing the hose will be better because of flushing the system for the first time. By removing the drain plug won't get out the junk from in there.

Oh, you can use the Prestone coolant that comes in the yellow bottle. I think it's one of the best.

[lord2heart]

I think by removing the hose will be better because of flushing the system for the first time. By removing the drain plug won't get out the junk from in there.

Oh, you can use the Prestone coolant that comes in the yellow bottle. I think it's one of the best.

unless you know that theres gunk in there and its impeding the cooling system then go ahead. otherwise i'd just drain it from the plug. you do know how to do a flush right? just checking

[Pacho]

there are 2 drain plugs on the block itself, one right next to the oil filter and one on the back of the block below the exhaust manifold more towards the right side if standing in front of the car. 14 mm bolt for the front and back and use teflon tape when putting it back in. the front 14 mm bolt you can use a 10" extension + ratchet and take the undercover off of the car (the cover below the oil filter) and you have easy access to it. The back one is a pita and will require some ingenuity on your part.

[zzyzzx]

I think by removing the hose will be better because of flushing the system for the first time. By removing the drain plug won't get out the junk from in there.

Really depends upon what you see when you watch it drain.

[lord2heart]

there are 2 drain plugs on the block itself, one right next to the oil filter and one on the back of the block below the exhaust manifold more towards the right side if standing in front of the car. 14 mm bolt for the front and back and use teflon tape when putting it back in. the front 14 mm bolt you can use a 10" extension + ratchet and take the undercover off of the car (the cover below the oil filter) and you have easy access to it. The back one is a pita and will require some ingenuity on your part.

that true for the LD9?

[Thewolf]

Thanks for your reply's. I do know how to do a coolant flush but it's just that I want to know which is the most effective way to drain all the old coolant from my engine and radiator. I'm guessing that I'll pull the drain plug from the rad and the front drain plug from the block. So I could get all the coolant out.

[lord2heart]

well, way i did it. pull the drain plug, have the garden hose running. start car, turn heater on. continue till all coolent is out while in the same time constantly filling it with water. turn engine off once you only see water coming out. shut hose off. let all water drain. plug it up, fill the system up with the appropriate mixture of water/coolant. burp the system of to get air bubbles out while still keeping the level up

[clutch1]

well, way i did it. pull the drain plug, have the garden hose running. start car, turn heater on. continue till all coolent is out while in the same time constantly filling it with water. turn engine off once you only see water coming out. shut hose off. let all water drain. plug it up, fill the system up with the appropriate mixture of water/coolant. burp the system of to get air bubbles out while still keeping the level up

This.

If ya got a nice nozzle that fits onto the hose inlet, even better:
http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/14249_lg.jpg

pull upper and lower rad hoses.. let that shit drain. Put nozzle onto upper radiator hose inlet... flush with water until just water comes out the bottom.

Remove the T-stat from the car (good to change anyways), open heat to wipe open (for cars with a heater core control valve)... unhook the heater core hoses too, makes the flush easier. Flush just the heater core real quick (nice and easy), then it's time for the block.

It's best to flush at the big lower radiator hose inlet on the pump, start blastin water in there and it should start coming out the heater core disconnected hoses and the upper radiator hose inlet (it'll be off cuz we took the T-stat out, but w/e same deal). Now you wait..... just chill and flush for as long as it takes to come out 100% clear.. Had a 3.4 Grand Am that took like a half hour once. No big.. it'll come out clear eventually.

NOW, reconnect everything, put a new t stat in, etc. Go and find the TOTAL capacity of your cooling system. Do math to find out how many quarts of PURE coolant you'll need... I usually run 60% coolant / 40% water, but 50/50 is fine too.. easier math.

If it's a 12qt cooling system, pour 6qts of pure coolant in, work it through, etc, and once that's all in, fill it up with distilled water and bleed... just keep fillin til it won't take anymore. Then you'll be at a 50/50 mixture.

Have fun.

[Thewolf]

Thanks for the extra info!