How to drain 454 radiator without a mess

Yes, the only cooling system flush at my local O'Reilly is the Prestone one that can be used as a 10-minute flush or you can leave it in for several days, driving for 3 to 6 hours, drain, refill, drain, refill with antifreeze. Even though my mileage is fairly low (70k or so)it won't hurt to use it.

Steve

steve_g wrote:
Thanks to everyone that replied! I was thinking that it would be best to only use the drain side of the radiator, as that is the side where gunk in the coolant enters, but I guess it all depends on how much is there. I used a big galvanised tub that I have had for years instead of a concrete mixing tub (a really good suggestion). I don't think I spilled more than a quart. Took out the thermostat, removed and replaced the block drain plugs, filled with clean water, and ran it for awhile to flush out all the various heater hoses, etc. I let it cool down overnight, I'll drain it this evening.

I have one more question. When I removed the block drains, nothing came out until I punched out the deposits blocking the holes. Even though this engine only has 70k miles, it seems I may need to do the six-hour (gentle) chemical flush. What do you think?

Steve in Roseville, MN

By a 6 hr gentle chemical flush do you mean putting a can of Prestone flush and driving for 6 hrs? Or something else?

just remember that antifreeze is very toxic to animals. If you or your neighbors have pets do not spill or leave open containers of the drained antifreeze out in the open. Just a few drops can kill a small dog or cat.

You may want to take the AC condenser loose while you are there and clean out debris between it and the radiator. Don't take lines loose, just take the mounting bolts out. That should give you at least a couple inches to work in.

While you have the coolant drained, it's a good time to replace the radiator and heater hoses. Especially if you don't know when they were last changed.

Doug

Thanks to everyone that replied! I was thinking that it would be best to only use the drain side of the radiator, as that is the side where gunk in the coolant enters, but I guess it all depends on how much is there. I used a big galvanised tub that I have had for years instead of a concrete mixing tub (a really good suggestion). I don't think I spilled more than a quart. Took out the thermostat, removed and replaced the block drain plugs, filled with clean water, and ran it for awhile to flush out all the various heater hoses, etc. I let it cool down overnight, I'll drain it this evening.

I have one more question. When I removed the block drains, nothing came out until I punched out the deposits blocking the holes. Even though this engine only has 70k miles, it seems I may need to do the six-hour (gentle) chemical flush. What do you think?

Steve in Roseville, MN

What I do is remove the bottom radiator hose to drain and thermostat(replacing the housing) then back flush using the lower hose and a garden hose. I do use the chemical flush first.

Home Skillet wrote:
Get a concrete mixing tub from Home Despot. Perfect for coolant spills.

X2 Those black plastic tubs are good for all kinds of things and they are inexpensive. They are about 24" x 36" and maybe 8" deep.

Get a concrete mixing tub from Home Despot. Perfect for coolant spills.

BuckBarker wrote:
Remove the lower radiator hose.

X2 works very well. Catch it in a large tub. Only way to get a real drainage of all the******that is in the bottom of the system. :)