How do I flush my radiator?

[Vizion]

I need to flush my radiator cause I filled that bi*** up with some water to get my ass to work. I'm getting ready to put some radiator fluid back in it but, I don't know where to look for the plug to drain it. Where am I supposed to look?

 

[DSMunknown]

If the N/T radiators are the same (or very similar) to the turbocharged DSMs, there should be a white nozzle near the bottom-right side of the radiator (if you are standing in front of the car). Before you do this, take off the radiator cap to help increase the flow of fluid. Don't forget to get a bucket of some sort to catch the fluid. Even though it may be mostly water in your coolant lines, you shouldn't go spilling it onto your driveway. It's just not very gentlemanly like.

For normal driving, water is fine, but if you insist on changing it out, then go right ahead. For the daily driver, you would only have to worry about draining out the water when the cold winter months hit your area (because water is more susceptible to freezing than antifreeze is).

 

[Vizion]

Thanks alot!!! It is getting pretty cold here in Atlanta so, I am going to pretty much have to change that out. Once again, THANX!

 

[DSMunknown]

Thanks alot!!! It is getting pretty cold here in Atlanta so, I am going to pretty much have to change that out. Once again, THANX!

You're welcome.


I forgot to add that if the nozzle is not in the area that I said it might be, keep looking all along the bottom of the radiator. The nozzle will be somewhere along the bottom of the radiator (usually near either corner of the radiator). That you can be sure of.










EDIT: Take a look at the link and photo below. As you can see, I have indicated where the nozzle should be found in the red circle (remember, you are looking at this radiator from the driver's point of view):

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Click here and look at the first item in the list, and click on the first radiator to get a bigger photo size.




EDIT x2: One more thing - You do not want the car jacked up when you are draining the radiator system. If the car is jacked up, not all of the fluid will make it out, or it will take a little longer to drain the system out. If the system is in the process of draining, and you have the bucket in place, simply ease the car back down on all four tires. Do this slowly, because you don't want to spill stuff everywhere.

Hopefully you already have one, but a wide bucket is better suited for this type of thing because it is easier to push under and to slide it out from under the car. But I'm sure you already realized that.

 

[Auto RS T]

Good info Unknown.

If the nozzle is broken (not uncommon) you can take off the lower radiator hose to flush the radiator, which I do anyway.

I would suggest flushing the whole cooling system. The radiator, Radiator overflow tank, engine block, and heater core. After I flush the individual componets I blow air through them to get the excess water out.

Make sure when you go to the store to get the antifreeze that you get the correct type (green). They also sell prediluted antifreeze so double check the label before you buy.

 

[DSMunknown]

Also good info, Jim.