Really new some help with flushing my engine of coolant

So Iv been doing research for a few weeks about flushing my coolant to change my radiator. Iv been out all day trying to do the system flush but I can't seem to get coolant to flow.

What iv read to do is disconnect the upper hose and remove radiator cap. Flow water into radiator while running engine (with upper rad hose disconnected) water should flow through system and be spit out of the upper hose flushing the system. But I am getting no flow of water an as my scan gauge read the water temp to be 211f steam started to come out only. So I shut the engine off.

Am I doing something wrong?
Shouldn't coolant be flowing?
Im wondering if flow is created by built up system pressure or by the water pump alone?

 

if you drained all the coolant fm teh engine I think you moved all the coolant away from the thermostat not allowing it to open. I wouldn't worry about flushing the coolant, just drain the block. If you have a 3.4L the block drain is on the right side of the engine block near the front. Look in throught the wheel well and you'll see it. it's a 10 or 12mm plug next to a lifttle pipe. Loosen the plug and watch the block drain out the plug. There will be the same on the left side of teh block if you don't have an oil cooler.

 

Well iv been mixing green coolant with the red coolant so I was wanting to flush the system but this is becoming a headache so maybe I will just drain the block and be done with it.

 

IN that case take off the upper radiator hose and fill and drain the block a couple of times with water, take off the heater hoses and flush the core and you should be good to go. Good Luck

 

I have a 4cylinder And I can't find a drain plug on the block.

So your saying if I pour water down the upper hose it should flow through the block? And what would the heater hoses look like?

 

You have to make sure to run the engine long enough to get to proper running temperature. The thermostat doesn't open until the truck is warm which means the fluid will not pass and fully circulate. I suggest to drain it, run it until proper operating temp, shut it off and allow it to cool then repeat...

 

I did and it got to 213 for the water temp on my scan gauge. The thermostat opens around 185. But that's basically what I'm doing. I'm filling it-running it-than draining it- repeat. Still getting pink water an the 3rd go.

I don't know how these people that say it just flows out ever did there's but I'm assuming they actually never did do it and don't know what there talking about unless I'm getting it completely wrong

 

The only way to do it right is to not only drain the radiator, but drain the block, AND use Toyota red coolant. Any other way than you're just doing it half a$$ed.

 

The block drain on a 4 cyl is on RH side near front. 10 or12 mm plug next to small pipe ( 'bout 5/16 OD,) kind of a SOB to get to.

 

OK well ive never looked at a 4cly but i woud take the thermostat out bolt it back together then flush the water should go through then. Then I would put a brand new thermostat in because there like $10 including a gasket so why not? that way you don't have it stick the next week and have to drain ur new coolant again. The thermostat's are usually pretty easy just look where the upper rad hose bolts on the motor and take the little housing off?

 

all i did was drain the radiator on the plug underneath then filled with water and ran the engine for 5 mintures or so then drained the water. then i filled with water once more and ran the engine and drained it again. then filled with 60 percent antifreeze and 40 percent water. no need to unhook any hoses.

 

Thanks for this idea I ended up finding the block drain and just feed water through upper hose and letting it drain right out. Don't know how well any of this worked but I'm glad to be done with it lol.

 

I don't think there is a block drain on both side's of the 3.4 just the passenger side, will have to look next time I have a chance, I could be wrong.