Good method of flushing coolant system?

[thor999]

I knew a 30yr Merchant Marine Engineer that swears by this: the best coolant system flush is draining the rad, replacing the fluid with white vinegar, then idle the engine for 30 mins, then drain, then replacing with distilled water (after cooling engine!), idle up to normal temp, then cool engine, drain, and replace with coolant. I have done this 10 times now with various Toyotas, and have never had a problem. Actually turns out to be a pretty cheap project! Just hoping to contribute something to the site, please add if you have a problem with this method. :hatsoff:

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Reviving this thread. Has anyone else ever tried this? I could see how it would work but curious to see what others have done.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Never done the white vinegar. Last time I flushed, I hooked my garden hose up to where the rear heater lines are, turned the hose on, and ran the engine for awhile, then drained and filled with DI and coolant.

 

[hugo2go]

Wonder if the white vinegar cleans out the deposits in the cooling system?

 

[Jungoes]

well its a mild acid so it should remove some metal oxide buildup if there is any, but i'm not going to try it

I do exactly what Nelsonmd does works fine

 

[thor999]

well its a mild acid so it should remove some metal oxide buildup if there is any, but i'm not going to try it

I do exactly what Nelsonmd does works fine

Sure, but does that method leave your engine bay smelling like yummy sea salt and vinegar potato chips for week? Thought not :hungry:
Also, this should be way cheaper than those flush / fill kits, I think? I will be doing it next week, will try and get all of the coolant out of the system and take pics of what the vinegar pulls, if anything; has been 1.5 years since my last flush, so prob not much...