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flush radiator VY V8

Discussion in 'VY Holden Commodore (2002 - 2004)' started by lowrider, Aug 15, 2008.

  1. lowrider

    lowrider New Member

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    hi all

    I want to replace the long life coolant , car is 5 years old whats teh best way to flush a VY V8 ? drain via lower hose ? any tips or tricks eg bleeder screws anywhere ? keen to get it done on the weekend want to know anything before i start

    thanks
     
  2. CANYONERO

    CANYONERO Likes Cheese...

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    i want to do this to mine as well. i have a max ellerys manual, might have a look and see if it tells me. will scan it if i can find it.
     
  3. lowrider

    lowrider New Member

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    Alright i done this this afternoon , easy as 123 ,no dramas :whistling
    This is how i done it so I'll whack the steps in here to share:
    1.undo lower radiator hose with pliers (at the thermostat housing)
    2.drain coolant
    3.remove thermo housing /thermostat (2x10mm bolts)this drains the block out
    4.pressure(garden) hose in and flush block until clean water comes out
    5.pressure hose in overflow tank ,keep there until clean water comes from the block
    6.pressure hose in lower radiator hose ,keep there until clean water comes from block - all flushed
    7. inspect then refit your thermo housing,lower radiator hose
    8.fill reservoir tank with 5 litre bottle Holden long life (red) coolant -use the genuine stuff , then fill with clean hose tap water until cold level mark , start engine with heater on highest heat ,check for leaks,take for a short drive until operating temp , switch off ,check for leaks,let cool completely and recheck level to cold mark if required . All done
    9. Have a deserving beer of your choice .

    :w00t:
     
  4. adamc11

    adamc11 Donating Member

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    Have problems with air getting stuck in places?
     
  5. lowrider

    lowrider New Member

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    not needed , i found out the ls1 have a vapor pipe attached to rid the engines of air so no need for any special bleeding .Run the heater on high as stated tho :thumbsup:
     
  6. andyman

    andyman The Only 6sp VZ Wagon

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    they have a header tank which is the highest point of the cooling system which eliminates the need for bleeding
     
  7. lgr_lgr

    lgr_lgr lgr_lgr

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    Hello,
    When you say remove the thermo housing,do you need to glue in a new gasket for the thermostat?
     
  8. highflya

    highflya New Member

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    hey guys, i did a coolant change on the wknd. and swapped over to the green from the pink coolant. But i've missed a step inbetween. I didn't drain the block. What damage could possibly occur? Is it best to redo the coolant again?
     
  9. Benboy

    Benboy Well-Known Member

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    Suggest you check the handbook for the correct specifications of coolant suitable for your motor. Possibly red !!!
     
  10. Farlig

    Farlig Member

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    red holden coolant is suggested, it is fully compatible with FULL alloy engine and wont have any negative effect like corrosion and rust.
     
  11. alien

    alien New Member

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    Once you flush your coolant system and use water to clean it you'll want to put pellets in! I think Holden says 2 or 3 in the radiator. All it is is radiator stop leak which coats the aluminium which can be eaten away by coolant within about 3 minutes! That's called neutralising the system. Even with the long life coolant holden says to use the pellets.

    If you want some just go down to a auto shop and ask for radiator stop leak.
     
  12. howepower

    howepower Donating Member

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    the coolants will have a reaction annd cause more trouble than not having coolant at all it has a chemical reation i have seen rads and pumps killed in weeks if its not done correctly
     
  13. howepower

    howepower Donating Member

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    for starters the procedure is incorrect people you need to pull the heater hose off and the upper hose to flush properly and do it without the thermostat
     
  14. andyman

    andyman The Only 6sp VZ Wagon

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    i dont think the pellets are reqired for the gen111 only ecotec, its there to lubricate the water pump seals and make it last longer
     
  15. Lumps of cheese

    Lumps of cheese welcome to the machine

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    This is the way i did mine on the weekend.
     
  16. howepower

    howepower Donating Member

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    by flushing the radiator only you leave contaminents in the heater core
    i own a radiator mechanical workshop i will help you with all i can if that is what you guys want
     
  17. Farlig

    Farlig Member

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    +1 afaik too
     
  18. kirkby

    kirkby New Member

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    i just put a new radiator in me vy ute, was simple to flush, the radiator shop told me to leave the bottom radiator hose on and take the the top hose of, start the car with heater on full and put hose in top of radiator and let it run, this will push all the **** out through the top hose, when it comes out clean stop fill with correct coolant.
     
  19. VR028

    VR028 New Member

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    no u dont have to. if the car is overheating then all u need to do is start the car up with the radiator cap off. if its bubbling then theres air in the system. let it idle for a bit and maybe give it a few small revs untill the bubbling dies down. put the cap back on and it should be fine
     

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