Coolant Flush

[Macdaddy4738]

Never really messed with this myself, but I figure now is a good time to learn.

Whats the best way to go about this without pouring used coolant all over my driveway? Ive seen the Prestone tap methods, but that looks to be a nightmare with gushing old antifreeze running everywhere...

The XJ is at 110k now, what should I be replacing?

 

[rattlecanpaint]

You'll need a big pan, capable of holding 5 gallons or so. Drain the radiator and then drain the block (If it has a block drain.) And fill with new coolant mixed 50/50 with water. Plan on making a mess cause coolant will go everywhere. It'll splash off the front axle or control arms or anything else in the way. Honestly, I'd just take it to Jiffy lube and let them flush the whole system including the heater core. It's a little bit more expensive but that will get all of the old stuff out.

 

[Jimmy Vegas]

Never really messed with this myself, but I figure now is a good time to learn.
Whats the best way to go about this without pouring used coolant all over my driveway? Ive seen the Prestone tap methods, but that looks to be a nightmare with gushing old antifreeze running everywhere...
The XJ is at 110k now, what should I be replacing?

What year is the XJ mine has a valve on the passenger side at the bottom connect a hose to it and let it drain out. I use a 5 gallon bucket its easier to manage. Once you let all the coolant drain out tighten the valve up and disconnect the hose from the drivers side bottom of the radiator let it empty into the bucket again.

Now the block will be drained and the radiator will be drained what i did was removed the upper radiator hose from the thermostat housing, remove the thermostat and housing. Flush out the block with a hose. Then do the same to the radiator.

Connect everything back up and put one gallon of undiluted antifreeze in then one gallon of 50/50. Check the level and make sure to fill the coolant bottle. Crank the XJ up let it run for a few minutes check the level make sure every thing is full. Drive the XJ around your neighborhood until it gets warm and make sure nothing is leaking and your coolant bottle is full.

And your done. Make sure while your in there to replace the thermostat and thermostat housing gasket, check all hoses make sure there not soft, if so replace them now's the time.