Well, it's new radiator time... My OEM one had some minor leaks so I put a scrapyard one in there since it was cheap. Now I know WHY it was cheap - friggen neck the cap screws into actually snapped off!

I have a new one on the way, but the fluid in there looks nasty as hell (probably a bunch of dirt and crap in there, wouldn't surprise me). In order to flush the system and drain the block, what's the general procedure? It's been a long time since I've done that...

I assume there are drain plugs on the block, somewhere. Anyone ever done that? From there what's the procedure for flushing (since I seem to remember you can do this with a garden hose or something)?

Good news is I'm not blowing coolant all over the place or overheating, since it's cold outside. But this can't be a good thing. The fan's also stuck on all the time it seems, so I wonder if the cold air blowing over the block constantly is keeping things in check temporarily...

*sigh*

 

I do not know about the drain plugs on the block, but you can buy a flushing tee kit and install it by cutting a heater hose and putting it in there. There are instructions on the package and it is not too difficult to install. Hook a garden hose on it and remove the radiator cap so the fresh water pushes all of the old anitfreeze out. You can also run some radiator flush through it. The instructions are also on the container for how to do it. Do not forget to turn on your heater so the control valve opens to flush out the heater core. If you are already going to be removing your radiator, it should be easier to go ahead and replace the fan clutch while it is out (I am assuming it is a mechanical fan).

 

Yeah, it's a mechanical fan .. for now. Unfortunately this POS radiator I bought didn't last real long, and the money going to replacing it is basically taking what I was gonna use for the flex-a-lite fan. Grr. However I think I am going to just leave the shroud off the radiator, since the electric fan won't be too far behind and it'll be one less thing I gotta worry about.

What I'd really like to do is spend about a grand and just do all of this stuff at once while I'm in there (new timing belt and water pump "for good measure" since I tow in 100-degree heat a lot, elec. fans, radiator, etc)... But, cest la vie.