AU 6 cylinder radiator flush

[v8snerlo]

Guys,
I have had a look around and unless I'm doing something wrong, I can't see any advice on a how to change the radiator fluid in an AU 6. Is there one that someone can pass onto me? I'm taking my girlfriends AU 6 cylinder forte to the snow in a couple of months time and I want to do a radiator flush prior to going down to ensure that the fluid doesn't freeze up. If anyone can let me know if it is a do it yourself thing then I would be greatly appreciated.
Any other checks that you think might be needed would be appreciated as well.
Thanks a lot.
Leon

[JK EX CHASER]

Remove bottom radiator hose flush,If you want to do a engine and radiator remove thermostat and bottom hose flush engine and radiator fill up with water warm engine and flush again, re fit add 50 water and 50 coolant.

[GS608]

I used lectric washing soda diluted in warm water, fill the radiator up with that, theres a process i can't remember right now, ill have to dig it up

found it..straight from InfernoSR in this thread

There is also a brilliant way to DIY at home and we highly recommend this method:

A normal garden hose isn't enough to do the job, you need a flushing agent. DON'T go buying Rad Flush from a car place, as it can be expensive and not actually work. A cheaper, easier, more effective way to flush the system is to go and buy a bag (or 2) of Washing Soda from your local Supermarket. Its only a couple of $$$, and can be used about 4 times (based on a 500gram bag).

Heres the instructions on how to use:
*Drain radiator via the bottom hose (quickest and easiest)
*Mix about 125grams Washing Soda in a cup of Hot water, and dissolve it.
*Pour mixture into radiator/header tank.
*Fill rad with clean water. And bleed system.
(To bleed system, fill rad, start vehicle, let it get to normal running temperature, and top up radiator until full, too much Air in a rad is bad news.)
*Once bled, run vehicle like normal for a couple of days, drain rad again, and do it all over again until water comes out clean (don't forget to run the heater as well).
*Once clean, use a good Radiator Conditioner (aka Coolant), DON'T use long life coolant, as it has been proven that it causes failures in the radiator and other parts of the system. I suggest Tectaloy Conditioner, Or get yourself down to a Radiator Specialist who sells Natra or Adrad products.
*The amount of Conditioner varies from car to car, the E-Series takes about 15Litres to fill the system from dry, the Conditioner amount is calculated from this figure.

Any further questions please ask.

[Auturbo6]

Originally Posted by XR-CHIEF

I used lectric washing soda diluted in warm water, fill the radiator up with that, theres a process i can't remember right now, ill have to dig it up

found it..straight from InfernoSR in this thread

What happens to the soda that remains inside the block, or worse yet due to tempreture fluctuations inside the cooling system solidifys inside the radiator.

Unfortunatly one can never completly clean out the system, just dillute the coolant that remains, therfore i recommend taking the car to a repitable workshop that has a flush machine and using manufactures specified coolant.
Remember the vehicle when new has to last the warranty period in all climatic conditions, without issues, so they wont skimp on items such as this, to save on potential warranty claims. Good luck....

[galaxy xr8]

Which remind's me, I must flush mine some day soon aswell, just another job to add to the list, lol.

[jcto]

Just thought I would add my 2cents worth.....I had to replae my rad last year. Luckily for me a place I used to work had an account at Adrad and they ordered it for me and I just picked it up and paid cash.......got the copper and brass for $168.00. I then just got a local rad specialist to do the change over and flush...he filled the unit with adrad coolant and it has been fantastic over the last hot summer here in perth......even on hot days with a/c running and just sitting idling for an hour (dont ask)...he only charged $105.00 to do it all...champion.

[Jastel]

Check bottom passenger side of radiator under the air intake bit for a plug/tap/bolt that can be undone to drain the water out.

Easier than removing hoses.

[rowan194]

Originally Posted by Jastel

Check bottom passenger side of radiator under the air intake bit for a plug/tap/bolt that can be undone to drain the water out.

Easier than removing hoses.

I'm trying to drain the rad on my AU3 I6. I've removed the surge tank cap, removed the rad drain plug as described above, but barely anything comes out of it... a few hundred mLs at most. I poked around with the wire end in case there was a blockage (a fair bit of crud on that and the thread) but it doesn't make any difference.

The welch plug that I have to replace is still leaking so there's water in the system... I even added 2L to the surge tank then ran the engine for 30 sec... nothing more coming out of the plug outlet???

What am I missing? Is there an extra rubber plug in there that I can't see?

I can give the corroded welch plug a whack and drain it that way, but I'd rather do it the right way!

[david lee]

dont forget to check the belt to

[Day-mow]

Originally Posted by rowan194

I'm trying to drain the rad on my AU3 I6. I've removed the surge tank cap, removed the rad drain plug as described above, but barely anything comes out of it... a few hundred mLs at most. I poked around with the wire end in case there was a blockage (a fair bit of crud on that and the thread) but it doesn't make any difference.

The welch plug that I have to replace is still leaking so there's water in the system... I even added 2L to the surge tank then ran the engine for 30 sec... nothing more coming out of the plug outlet???

What am I missing? Is there an extra rubber plug in there that I can't see?

I can give the corroded welch plug a whack and drain it that way, but I'd rather do it the right way!

that doesn't sound good.
do you have a gregories manual? im pretty sure they have a basic flushing procedure in that.

[InfernoSR]

Originally Posted by Auturbo6

What happens to the soda that remains inside the block, or worse yet due to tempreture fluctuations inside the cooling system solidifys inside the radiator.

Washing Soda once desolved in water, doesnt turn back into crystal. It however does evaporate and turn into a light powder. This powder doesnt occur in the engine environment were there is water present. So any remaining soda (very minor percentage) just moves around the system with the water (will not cause any harm).

Solidification within the radiator i have seen only the once, and that was caused by simply using way to much coolant (it turns to a hard gel).

[Sleeperau]

The best bet is to take it out of the car. I just replaced mine and it is not a hard job. I put the radiator cleaner in the radiator whilst it was in the car and wulah..the radiator started leaking. The only thing holding it together was gunk, it runs a lot cooler now and I replaced all the hoses whilst I was at it. The radiator was only about $100. Make sure you NEVER mix coolant use the same otherwise it foams and is RS.

[rowan194]

Originally Posted by rowan194

I'm trying to drain the rad on my AU3 I6. I've removed the surge tank cap, removed the rad drain plug as described above, but barely anything comes out of it... a few hundred mLs at most. I poked around with the wire end in case there was a blockage (a fair bit of crud on that and the thread) but it doesn't make any difference.

Last time I wasn't sure how much coolant was in the system because the welch plug was leaking, this time they're fixed and I'm 110% sure it's full (in fact the surge tank is at the point of overflowing), but still almost NOTHING when I remove the drain plug... just a drip every few seconds.



This is all that came out in the few minutes I had the plug off!!!

Removed the lower hose and it all came flooding out... it was definitely full...

Is that brown gunk coolant or rust mud? I guess it's all settled at the bottom and blocked the drain plug? (but luckily not the lower hose)

Once it's cooled a bit I'm going to stick a garden hose at various ports to give the system a good flush, might try removing the drain cap again and squirting some water in there, see if it frees up...

[rowan194]

No luck with clearing the blockage at the drainage port. I managed to squirt a bit in there and get the water running out to be clear, but it seems to be blocked further in still.

I've been running with the climate control set to 32C and have noticed that the surge tank contents now look a bit cloudy (was a temporary clean tap water fill). Hopefully this is gunk coming from the heater core.

Flushing is fun, I got absolutely soaked.

[Rfordsfun]

Might do mine again, and flush out that drainage plug area. I usually do (remove hoses)/thermostat, but that plug has got me interested again

[BigJamo]

Im doing our AU2 this week (if it ever stops raining).

I will try all the above ideas. I will remove the drain plug first to see whats happening, then proceed as I normally would. With 255,000km on the clock, she needs my undivided attention. Also replacing the thermostat while we are there. Might bleach the reserviour too.

Going to do an engine flush with some wynns stuff.
And after that, she is getting a redback exhaust, headers to tail.