Coolant flushing questions
 

OK, after doing some searching on changing coolant, I think I'm ready for the task. I'll be doing my Cutlass shortly, and then the Bonneville. It sounds like the Prestone flush tee kit will give me all the info I need as far as flushing. My question is regarding the hose. It sounds like I can cut the hose, or just disconnect it and insert another small piece for the other end of the tee? If I go this route, can anyone tell me what size hose to get, or will I just have to purchase a whole heater hose?

Also, I'm a little leary of drilling the thermostat. Can anyone share a picture of exactly where this needs to be done? Thanks

Personally I don't believe in using the T. Looks like it could be a restriction (although not much).

I remove the hoses and put the water hose to them. Reverse.. flush from rad out..heater in.. in through the top rad hose..

Every which way. to ensure you get all the coolant. Black94SSei thought he was done when his hands were freezing, then we reversed flow again and out came more orange.

I've used the T on a few dozen cars. I've never had an issue. I just find the most convenient spot on either of the hoses, cut it in the middle, and install the T. I like it because you don't even have to remove a drain plug from the radiator or the block to flush. Just insert the yellow plastic piece that fits into the radiator inlet, connect about a 4' long, 5/8" diameter heater hose to it (it will squeeze on the INSIDE of the yellow fitting), and use that to drain into a bucket out of where the radiator cap goes. If you flush long enough, you'll get out just about everything.

Re: Coolant flushing questions
 

Here's your pic - should be at the top:
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...stall&start=35

It's really not too hard; just be sure it's held down firmly so it doesn't go spinning like crazy when the bit goes through :lol:

Great, thanks!

The Prestone tee fitting provides a reverse flush of (most of) the engine and the radiator (if the thermostat is removed) , but not the heater core. When I use the Prestone tee, I use a spare piece of hose so the tee is only used for flushing. (Three less fittings to leak.) But, I like Boosty's approach better. I would reverse flush the radiator by flushing through the lower hose with the upper hose disconnected. Reverse flush the engine block through the top heater hose with the thermostat in and lower rad hose disconnected. Reverse flush the intake manifold through the thermostat opening with the thermostat out and the top heater hose disconnected. Reverse flush the heater core through the lower heater hose with both heater hoses off at the tensioner. I do all of this with a cold engine so as not to be damaging metal components with thermal shock. Just my $.02

Thanks both Bills, that sounds pretty simple.

A quick reiteration

I flush every way possible (warm day makes it better). If you have the time.. refill and run the engine for a couple moments to stir it up and get anything else out, then flush again ...every which way.