Prestone Radiator cleaner for a day?

[Mudeprived]

I opened up the radiator this morning for the first time actually and could not see any fluid. I popped the upper hose off and it was a little muddy colored. I recall seeing in the maintenance docs that it had a radiator implosion where transmission fluid mixed with coolant and they had a new radiator installed. I'm guessing they didnt flush or fill it well so I have to take care of that.

Is it ok to pour a bottle of Radiator Flush in it for 24 hours? I have inspection and a flush scheduled on Thursday morning. I figured it wouldn't hurt and will help clean it out.

 

[jgue467]

I'd say yes it's ok to leave radiator flushing agent in there 24 hrs, i think the bottle tells 2 ways to use it, short term (10 minutes) or longer term, 300 miles or so.

But if you're going to have a shop flush it why bother doing it yourself, do one or the other. I'd do it myself. Remove 3 bolts holding thermostat to allow block to empty completely and don't forget to turn dash and rear heater on to allow those to flush too. Luck. :cowboy:

 

[Mudeprived]

Well it did not blow up so it's all good.

I think it took us maybe 4 flushes with distilled water before it came out clean. I filled it with Valvoline Zerex and will drain and refill again in a few days. I think that should do it.

 

[ZionXIX]

I'd say yes it's ok to leave radiator flushing agent in there 24 hrs, i think the bottle tells 2 ways to use it, short term (10 minutes) or longer term, 300 miles or so.

But if you're going to have a shop flush it why bother doing it yourself, do one or the other. I'd do it myself. Remove 3 bolts holding thermostat to allow block to empty completely and don't forget to turn dash and rear heater on to allow those to flush too. Luck. :cowboy:

Hypothetically speaking if someone were to remove the thermostat to do the flush is there a problem with leaking where the thermostat was removed?

 

[nc-grayson]

Hypothetically speaking if someone were to remove the thermostat to do the flush is there a problem with leaking where the thermostat was removed?

I'd replace the thermostat gasket

 

[tarsun]

when i flushed mine, that is what i did. (removed the t-stat).

this way i did not have to wait for it to fully warm up and for the t-stat to open for it to pass into the rad and fully circulate.

there were no leaks. but again, it was only run for a short period of time. idk if the pressure and heat would cause a leak if you left it out and droveit...

 

[djaye.]

Remove 3 bolts holding thermostat to allow block to empty completely and don't forget to turn dash and rear heater on to allow those to flush too.

Don't 5VZFE have a drain on the side of the block near middle cylinder? Or is that only on the weird JDM on I just installed?

 

[wemslie97]

You're right all 5VZFEs have a drain plug on the Block in the same spot.