How many times to flush the cooling system?

[AntleredRuin]

I don't particularly see why anyone WOULDN'T use distilled water in their flushes.
You do a flush what, every 30k miles? Get 10-15 gallons of distilled from Wally World for 86 cents each and just do it.

Same thing with the Toyota red coolant. Saving money is neat, but are you really going to miss the extra $10 spent on OEM Toyota coolant over Prestone every 30k?
Go OEM and distilled and don't worry about it.

That's like risking pregnancy because condoms are too expensive. Pretty sure kids cost more.

@ The OP: what everyone else has said; do it till it runs clear. Then do it a couple more times to be sure.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I'm appreciating all the feedback. I'm still using tap water to flush it.

JayRolla, I'd be interested to see the inside of those old radiators too.

 

[DJDV1]

Good info thanks

 

[kolelt]

So i was thinking of just draining my radiator, letting water flush through it and re-fill it back up? i have toyota red long life coolant. I believe its rated for 100k miles, basically the life span of a water pump...

i saw photos of people draining the engine block and it did not seem necessary due to how little it came out

 

[kolelt]

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:

thats good idea mate.

 

[Kanoe]

i saw photos of people draining the engine block and it did not seem necessary due to how little it came out

I haven't done a V6 but I have flushed my 3RZ and 7AFE Corolla. I did pull the block plug on both and quite a bit of stuff does stay trapped in there. If your goal is a to do a good flush I would pull it. I didn't have any problems with the plug even though mine are both quite old. The garden hose blew a bit of sediment out of them also.