How many times to flush the cooling system?

[JayRolla]

get another bottle of treatment, and do it again. there are still deposits being removed. another bottle should finish them off. then flush until clear.

but, what exactly are YOU doing, that you're calling a flush? what procedure exactly?

oh, yeah im just the opposite. I have gotten some excellent results using chemical cleaners.

I like to do a double flush, it works amazingly well.


I have used tap water for many years, I have yet to see any negatives from it.
its my understanding that the anti-corrosion additive package in the coolant will be used up quicker, with tap versus distilled. but, if the coolant is changed on a regular, proper schedule, I don't think it will matter.

Ive been using tap water for over 15 years and my dad has used it since he was a kid and never had rotted radiator issues.

I completely agree with never using chemicals either. I dont add chemicals additives to my cars ever. I have only seafoamed a few through the intake. But this was because of my mechanic building tons of car motors and transmissions finding the negative affects of all these additives.

 

[amalik]

I have used tap water for many years, I have yet to see any negatives from it.

kind of a hard thing to 'see', ain't it?

how would you know if it's building up sediments one way or the other besides looking at the coolant I guess?

 

[T5RUNNER]

Ive been using tap water for over 15 years and my dad has used it since he was a kid and never had rotted radiator issues.

Not all tap water is equal, but if you cut open your radiator you would definitely see the difference. It doesn't rot anything it clogs it with mineral build up. Why would you not spend the extra $2 on distilled water after going to all the trouble to properly flush a cooling system?

 

[JayRolla]

Not all tap water is equal, but if you cut open your radiator you would definitely see the difference. It doesn't rot anything it clogs it with mineral build up. Why would you not spend the extra $2 on distilled water after going to all the trouble to properly flush a cooling system?

Because I have flushed many times and it takes a lot more than $2 worth of water. I have never had a radiator fail or clog my entire life from mineral deposits or have I had any rust issues.

NTM a lot of the drag racer, hot rod guys have stated in forums that distilled water is deionized causing rust issues. Brand new radiators in built drag cars and major rust issues inside the radiator. Tap water never has an issue.

 

[T5RUNNER]

Because I have flushed many times and it takes a lot more than $2 worth of water. I have never had a radiator fail or clog my entire life from mineral deposits or have I had any rust issues.

NTM a lot of the drag racer, hot rod guys have stated in forums that distilled water is deionized causing rust issues. Brand new radiators in built drag cars and major rust issues inside the radiator. Tap water never has an issue.

I don't flush with it either, I flush with filtered tap water from my fridge. And I personnaly use Zerex Asian premix because it's much cheaper than Toyota coolant even when you buy twice as much. You are confusing different things here, distilled water is not deionized water. Pure water is very slightly acidic (that means it is ionized). Drag racers don't like that because they aren't allowed to use antifreeze or additives (that would fix the acidity), and they don't care about tap water because they change it constantly.

The mineral built up on all the surfaces of your cooling system acts as an insulator and reduces your cooling system efficiency. It is not going to make your engine explode but that does not make it a good idea.

 

[shahsmerdis]

Rear has cooling too right? Make sure that is set to high as well.

 

[T5RUNNER]

Rear has cooling too right? Make sure that is set to high as well.

Rear has heat and yes it has its own heater core so make sure to turn it on too.

 

[JayRolla]

I don't flush with it either, I flush with filtered tap water from my fridge. And I personnaly use Zerex Asian premix because it's much cheaper than Toyota coolant even when you buy twice as much. You are confusing different things here, distilled water is not deionized water. Pure water is very slightly acidic (that means it is ionized). Drag racers don't like that because they aren't allowed to use antifreeze or additives (that would fix the acidity), and they don't care about tap water because they change it constantly.

The mineral built up on all the surfaces of your cooling system acts as an insulator and reduces your cooling system efficiency. It is not going to make your engine explode but that does not make it a good idea.

Hmm, I have drag raced many times with antifreeze. Never heard of that not being allowed at the track.

I believe you are right they are not the same, I just have seen people have issues running premixes. That being said I was talking about flushing with tap water not running it as the coolent. I also run Zerox Asian in my rig. I know the minerals will build up as you can see this just from looking at your shower head in the bathroom.

 

[T5RUNNER]

Hmm, I have drag raced many times with antifreeze. Never heard of that not being allowed at the track.

I should have said dedicated track cars, but I think that's who you were citing about the rust problems. You can of course run antifreeze in your street car at the track, but if you have antifreeze you don't have rust issues with distilled water. Premix is pre mixed with distilled water.

 

[Scramble]

Yes, tap water is different across the country. I have well water so I can't use the hose because of minerals. I cant use water from the tap because I have a water softener which uses salt. I have my mechanic do it every 30,000. I think I'll do it myself next time with distilled water. I'm sure it's cheap from Walmart. I'm gonna look into the vinegar thing because that's how I clean out my coffee pot.

 

[JayRolla]

Yes, tap water is different across the country. I have well water so I can't use the hose because of minerals. I cant use water from the tap because I have a water softener which uses salt. I have my mechanic do it every 30,000. I think I'll do it myself next time with distilled water. I'm sure it's cheap from Walmart. I'm gonna look into the vinegar thing because that's how I clean out my coffee pot.

Or lime away!! Always cleans the shower head pretty good. Wonder how bad that would be in the radiator. I would die form the Vinegar smell.

 

[T5RUNNER]

Vinegar is fine. I think the off the shelf flushes use citric acid but it doesn't really matter what kind of acid it is. Just don't leave it in too long and make sure you get it all out.

 

[SnowLizard]

Vinegar is fine. I think the off the shelf flushes use citric acid but it doesn't really matter what kind of acid it is. Just don't leave it in too long and make sure you get it all out.

I have heard of the vinegar trick too, haven't tried it myself. I know my wife does clothes with vinegar to keep the color in our laundry washer and soften our hard water for the dishwasher to keep deposits down. it does work in that sense.

 

[amalik]

so [MENTION=50342]JayRolla[/MENTION], I'm left confused more than anything after reading the entire thread.

You can see minerals in the showerhead with tap water... so why would you flush with tap with a garden hose?

And why would distilled be an issue to flush with since half of coolant is distilled anyway?

 

[JayRolla]

so [MENTION=50342]JayRolla[/MENTION], I'm left confused more than anything after reading the entire thread.

You can see minerals in the showerhead with tap water... so why would you flush with tap with a garden hose?

And why would distilled be an issue to flush with since half of coolant is distilled anyway?

Ive always used tap to flush. I have used tap in my Mitsubishi's mixed with coolant. I now use 50/50 because thats all you guy can buy in the red other than going to toyota. But I would not be scared to use tap water again. My point is I have done it all and never had a major issue. My dad has done it in every vehicle he has owned since he was a child. No madder who you ask or what you read you will get mixed reviews on the this issue. I guess the water in the the Springs does not have that much minerals. Ive seen shower heads clog but they where usually 10+ years old. The end tanks will start leaking before I have seen a mineral deposit issue. I have my old toyota and mitsubishi radiator in my shed. Im going to go cut them up and see how much mineral deposits where left behind if any.

 

[amalik]

Ive always used tap to flush. I have used tap in my Mitsubishi's mixed with coolant. I now use 50/50 because thats all you guy can buy in the red other than going to toyota. But I would not be scared to use tap water again. My point is I have done it all and never had a major issue. My dad has done it in every vehicle he has owned since he was a child. No madder who you ask or what you read you will get mixed reviews on the this issue. I guess the water in the the Springs does not have that much minerals. Ive seen shower heads clog but they where usually 10+ years old. The end tanks will start leaking before I have seen a mineral deposit issue. I have my old toyota and mitsubishi radiator in my shed. Im going to go cut them up and see how much mineral deposits where left behind if any.

Ok, thanks for the input.

If you can report back to this thread before my next flush (Which is still some months away), that'd be awesome.

Basically, I wouldn't mind flushing myself with a water/garden hose, but I was scared off from reading online about flushing with tap.

I'm a sucker and I paid Toyota almost $200 to flush with a large storage unit of Toyota red last time. Who knows if they were even telling the truth, but supposedly they flushed it with Red itself before filling up with Red.

I am also in CO and yeah maybe our tap water is simply awesome relative to others.

 

[nevada]

Ive been using tap water for over 15 years and my dad has used it since he was a kid and never had rotted radiator issues.

I completely agree with never using chemicals either. I dont add chemicals additives to my cars ever. I have only seafoamed a few through the intake. But this was because of my mechanic building tons of car motors and transmissions finding the negative affects of all these additives.

if you are dealing with a cooling system that NEEDS flushed, straight water is not going to get the job done.

I have dealt with some VERY bad systems, and brought them back with a chemical flush. saving myself a massive amount of work, and the customer a considerable amount of money.

kind of a hard thing to 'see', ain't it?

how would you know if it's building up sediments one way or the other besides looking at the coolant I guess?

ok, how about I have not experienced any negative issues from using tap water.

I own my vehicles for a very long time. in fact, I STILL own all but 2, and several of them I have had for more than 10 years each. maybe even closer to 20, if I was to sit down and figure it out.

my point is, in that amount of time, if there was going to be a major issue because of tap water, I would have "seen" it.

 

[JayRolla]

Ok, thanks for the input.

If you can report back to this thread before my next flush (Which is still some months away), that'd be awesome.

Basically, I wouldn't mind flushing myself with a water/garden hose, but I was scared off from reading online about flushing with tap.

I'm a sucker and I paid Toyota almost $200 to flush with a large storage unit of Toyota red last time. Who knows if they were even telling the truth, but supposedly they flushed it with Red itself before filling up with Red.

I am also in CO and yeah maybe our tap water is simply awesome relative to others.

Think of it this way. For that price you could have bought a new radiator, swapped it in about 1hr and filled with toyota red and still have money left over for what the dealer raped you at.

 

[Scramble]

Or lime away!! Always cleans the shower head pretty good. Wonder how bad that would be in the radiator. I would die form the Vinegar smell.

Forget lime away. I put a whole house sediment filter in so my water heater, dishwasher & washing machine didn't get ruined. My house was brand new & so were my appliances. I have no deposits or stains in my sinks, tub or shower heads. They're only like $45 & I change the filter every 3-4 months. The water was still hard so I added the softener a few months later.

You know! If I added a temporary sediment filter to the outside spigot I could do the flush at home! I'm sure i could build some type of quick disconnect with Home Depot parts. :cheers:

 

[thor999]

Drain thenFill system w/ White Vinegar, run at temp for 20 minutes, then repeat flushings w/ distilled water (I do five, fill then run a few minutes at temp, drain, wait to cool, repeat).