Flush your Colling system!

[TomoHawk]

I had my cooling system in my 280Z flushed out well today.

I had it in for the Spring oil change, and the guy noticed the coolant through the radiator cap was a little on the brown side. It's been two years, so I told him to flush it. The tech guy did it once, and there was only a little change. So he flushed a second time. Then he added a cleaner chemical, and I drive around for about 10 minutes (I needed gas any way.) After about the 4th flush, the coolant came out nice & green. so I paid him the $65 for the flush and went away somewhat satisfied.

I drove some suburban streets, stopping at some traffic lights, and seeing how the engine was going now, and I noticed that it was pulling much better! :cheeky: Before it would accelerate OK, but not too well. Now you could feel yourself sinking into the seat- and I wasn't even shifting; I left it in D. Even the exhaust sounded better- crisper, like a lean-running engine. I even tried it with shifting, and a few powered corners with similar good results. I think the flush probably cleaned off the gunk from the temp. sensor, and now the ECU was getting a better fuel mix, so I could get those extra horses.

Actually, I had a date with a lady I met through emails.

By the time I got back to tell the guy he did good, the shop was closed. I was going to ask if there is a maintenence chemical I might add later to improve or maintain the cooling system yet.

So, not only clean your injectors and spark plugs, check for vacuum leaks, and have a clean air filter- make sure you have clean coolant! Your engine will run better, not having to circulate thick brown mud through the engine, the engine block and heater core will will be less rusty and be happy, and you'll be just a few dollars shorter, but what the heck- maintain your car.

So, now I will put a flush on my annual Spring checklist, UFN.

thx

[sblake01]

Flushing the cooling system has been on my maintenance list basically ever since I've been involved with cars. Roughly every two years depending upon how much the car or truck has been driven. If you wait until you are 'circulating thick brown mud' you're asking for problems.

[TomoHawk]

I used 'thick brown mud' as an exaggeration, of course. IIRC, I flushed my cooling system 2 or 3 years ago, and I think that since the car sits more than runs (only about 1000 miles a year,) it has had an effect. Maybe a preservative & maintenence additive is in order?

thx

[sblake01]

Not for me. I don't care much for additives in the cooling sytem other than antifreeze.

[TomoHawk]

What can cause the engine block to rust on the inside?

[sblake01]

My guess would be weak coolant or no coolant. Most coolants have some type of anit rust in their formulation and once that breaks down so does it's protection. I have purchased cars that had nothing but water in them when I bought them and it takes several flushes before the flush water comes out clear. I'm not sure that you ever really get it all.

[TomoHawk]

I don't think you could get the rust buildup out of the cooling passages without some kind of drastic treatment, like an engine overhaul. Maybe one day somebody will come up with something to clean the cooling passages while at the service center ( a rust converter & filter system.) Having both iron and aluminum parts on your engine and the coolant washing over both can cause problems.