[s-cars] Gelling coolant

[Tom Green]

I think your caution is don't shock the engine by removing the coolant
and/or giving it a big dose of cold water.  But, it doesn't require a  
long
cool-down period before draining since the temps are equalized by
running at idle.  I would be cautious about dumping a lot of cold water
from a hose with lots of pressure and flow into the reservoir.  Besides,
you are likely to cause the thermostat to close and really slow down
the process.  Use some warm water to temper the water if you are
nervous about it.  Add slowly in any case, you won't use that much
per flush.  I would suggest using some of that Icelandic geo-thermal
water but I've seen the mineral content.  :-)   Hmmmm, could that be
what's in the coolant now?  :-)

Tom


> Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2007 09:30:20 -0400
> From: Mark Pollan <mark.pollan at verizonbusiness.com>
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Gelling coolant
> To: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Message-ID: <000a01c780f4$8b9100e0$910e9283 at mcilink.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> Best/required to let her cool down before you drain and refill no?
>
> Mark
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
> [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of G?sli ?ttarsson
> Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 7:13 PM
> To: Tom Green
> Cc: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Gelling coolant
>
> This seems straightforward enough.  I'll probably have a go this  
> week-end,
> if weather permits.
>
> Gisli
>
> On 4/16/07, Tom Green <trgreen at comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> I'll have to defer to Dave Dawson on the details, but, you have the
>> right idea,
>> and the Finish should be fine. This is dishwasher detergent, not the
>> dishwashing
>> detergent for hand-washing dishes.
>>   I suggest about a half cup or two times the normal dishwasher
>> amount.  Drain the
>> coolant first and refill with water and add the Finish.
>> You don't want to operate the car, just run the engine until it gets
>> up to temperature,
>> then about 15 to 20 minutes at idle to let the cleaners work in the
>> system including
>> the heater.  Then drain and refill with water, bring to temperature,
>> drain and repeat
>> until the coolant water is perfectly clear.  It may take several
>> times to remove all the old
>> coolant and the dishwasher detergent.   Even the low sudsing
>> dishwasher detergent
>> can foam some, so it is important to completely flush all traces from
>> the cooling system
>> or a slight amount of foam can cause an air block in the system and a
>> localized over-
>> heating can occur.  Who knows if it is compatible with coolant?
>> I suspect those fleet maintenance guys have a power flushing machine
>> to expedite
>> this process.
>> It is a good practice to use de-mineralized (soft) water for the  
>> make-
>> up portion of the
>> coolant.