Help with 3.4L Coolant change

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#11

08-19-2017, 07:38 AM

bbjk08

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Join Date: Jun 2011

Posts: 54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gorn

Why are you guys draining the block? Seems like a lot of risk of damage. I mean yes you want your coolant clean but the most important part of coolant maintenance is to keep the radiator flowing good and to cancel out and acidic build up. With Age coolant becomes and acid. A coolant flush will have a base in it to neutralize the acid.

If you change your coolant every 3-4 years then you just put the flush in and 2 days later drain and replace your coolant. I did not watch the whole thing but this video seems on point if you are getting a car that has not been maintained.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s--5ft5YiHg

I just wanted to be sure I'm getting all the coolant that I can out. I'm not taking the thermostat out, and I thought it would be a more complete flush and would be faster if I could get it all out of the block, but I guess I can just keep running the engine with distilled water and just drain the radiator. I also wanted to be sure of a complete 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water, but if there is plain water in the block, won't it dilute the mixture? I guess I could just get some concentrate and use a tester to get the right mixture.

What damage can be caused by draining the block? It does say to do it that way in the Haynes manual.

#12

08-19-2017, 09:45 AM

Gorn

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If you are having trouble getting to the sensor you could easily damage it while removing it. If your coolant is that bad then the thermostat would be a good investment. Like I said I did not watch the whole video but flushing without the thermostat in there is going to be the best option. Better then draining the block.

#13

08-19-2017, 01:27 PM

vipe155

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Join Date: Apr 2017

Posts: 139

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbjk08

I am in the same boat as you. I think I have located the knock sensor, but it seems impossible to get to. (The plug for the driver's side is just past the oil filter.) Every time I try to do a complete coolant flush, I end up just giving up on getting it all out of the block. I would love to know how to actually get the thing out though.

Yeah, I just ended up removing that plug by the oil filter and calling it good enough. As to where the knock sensor is I haven't figured that out, but I probably wouldn't be able to get it out/in anyway.