Flushing Radiator

[ghte]

Hi Husqarians, I have yet to flush the radiator on my 06 TE 450.
Probably long overdue. Is there anyone out there prepared to give me a step by step run through. A big thank you in anticipation.
Regards to all;

GHTE

 

[Dirtdame]

I changed out the coolant in mine a couple of months ago. I just drained the old coolant out, then ran the garden hose into the filler side for a couple of minutes and then let it drain dry. drained the overflow (it will be full of garden hose water unless you pinch off the overflow hose), then plugged the system back up and refilled. Put some coolant into the overflow, capped up everything and ran the bike for about five minutes. Let it cool completely, peek into the radiator and make sure that's still topped, then check the overflow and make sure the level is about halfway between low and high. That's about it.

 

[Coffee]

Actually this is a great example of a simple task that is surprisingly complicated.

• What to do with the radiator fluid that comes out
• What to do with the water after the first flush
• If a 2nd flush then is it ok to let down the city drain that goes to the water ways?
• Burping the system (as described above)
• etc

 

[Dirtdame]

I keep the old radiator fluid in a bottle until I'm ready to have my truck flushed, then I dump into the truck overflow reservoir and head over to the auto center and have them dispose of it.

 

[Coffee]

I keep the old radiator fluid in a bottle until I'm ready to have my truck flushed, then I dump into the truck overflow reservoir and head over to the auto center and have them dispose of it.

Great idea!

 

[rajobigguy]

I keep the old radiator fluid in a bottle until I'm ready to have my truck flushed, then I dump into the truck overflow reservoir and head over to the auto center and have them dispose of it.

You dear lady are not only enviromentally concious but brilliant.

 

[gandalf]

Is there anything special you do when switching from stock fluid to engine ice(like flush 2 or three times)?

 

[ghte]

No, just one flush should do. By the way if you want the best results mix water and white vinegar 50/50 and use this as the flushing material. Then run the motor with this mix in for a few minutes and then dump and put in you engine ice.

 

[gandalf]

Cool, thanks. I got lazy today and will put this off another couple weeks.

 

[andyman]

Interesting. When my bike was new, I just drained the fluid and put in the engine ice. No flushing. It appears to be just fine, I haven't been able to overheat it yet.

 

[JPinNC]

I keep the old radiator fluid in a bottle until I'm ready to have my truck flushed, then I dump into the truck overflow reservoir and head over to the auto center and have them dispose of it.

I drop my used oil off at Autozone or Advance Auto Parts all the time, but do they also take old radiator fluid? I didn't think that they did.

 

[stuntdubbel]

While you're at it, pop off the pump cover and check the condition of your impeller...mine fell on the garage floor

Cheers!

-Lynn

 

[gandalf]

I drop my used oil off at Autozone or Advance Auto Parts all the time, but do they also take old radiator fluid? I didn't think that they did.

In NJ, Autozone does not take radiator fluid. I have to call city hall to find out how to dispose. One of the reasons I want to switch to Engine Ice is because I hear it's non-toxic and biodegradable so I can just let it soak into my lawn right?

 

[Logroller]

In NJ, Autozone does not take radiator fluid. I have to call city hall to find out how to dispose. One of the reasons I want to switch to Engine Ice is because I hear it's non-toxic and biodegradable so I can just let it soak into my lawn right?

Directly from Engine Ice
"Because of Engine Ice Hi-Performance Coolant's non-toxic phosphate-free formula, it's even safer for people and pets too!"

Key word in that line "safer." rofessor: While this stuff is better for the enviro compared to good ol' coolant you should still take it to a proper disposal location i.e., Napa, Walmart, City, etc. The reason our water sucks and we need huge filtration plants is due to us dumping anything and everything down the drain/curb.

If you do not flush all coolant or Engine Ice before replacing one with the other you can or will get slug build up. But if you flush with water and only have a few drops of one or the other, no big deal.

Like ghte typed, "white" vinegar is a great cleaner. Remember "white" vinegar is what you want.

By the way, give me my bike back.

 

[gandalf]

Directly from Engine Ice
"Because of Engine Ice Hi-Performance Coolant's non-toxic phosphate-free formula, it's even safer for people and pets too!"

Key word in that line "safer." rofessor: While this stuff is better for the enviro compared to good ol' coolant you should still take it to a proper disposal location i.e., Napa, Walmart, City, etc. The reason our water sucks and we need huge filtration plants is due to us dumping anything and everything down the drain/curb.

If you do not flush all coolant or Engine Ice before replacing one with the other you can or will get slug build up. But if you flush with water and only have a few drops of one or the other, no big deal.

Like ghte typed, "white" vinegar is a great cleaner. Remember "white" vinegar is what you want.

By the way, give me my bike back.

Great info, thanks!

You may not want my bike today because the greenbriar enduro put a hurtin on it with regard to mud. I'll post a pic tomorrow, but it was pretty bad out there!

 

[HuskyMax]

In NJ, Autozone does not take radiator fluid. I have to call city hall to find out how to dispose. One of the reasons I want to switch to Engine Ice is because I hear it's non-toxic and biodegradable so I can just let it soak into my lawn right?

I just feed mine to the neighborhood cats.

 

[Logroller]

Great info, thanks!

You may not want my bike today because the greenbriar enduro put a hurtin on it with regard to mud. I'll post a pic tomorrow, but it was pretty bad out there!

It's okay, sounds like mine is in better shape.

Another thingy, if you ever use a water mixer try not to use tap water. It's too hard. Distilled all the way. But if you're using Ice, just get the premixed stuff.

I just feed mine to the neighborhood cats.

If you do not want to spend the money on a Taxidermist then I might suggest your route.

Remember Engine Ice Hi-Performance Coolant is an antifreeze offering freeze protection to -26oF (26 degrees below zero) and it's good for preserving your kitty too.

 

[R_Little]

Great info, thanks!

You may not want my bike today because the greenbriar enduro put a hurtin on it with regard to mud. I'll post a pic tomorrow, but it was pretty bad out there!

You thought it was bad?

Are you going to Delaware?