I need to replace my Coolant and whilst at it flush the rest of the sytem. For a novice with basic engine knowledge could i attempt this my self? I read somewhere that you should replace your coolant every 2 years and i reckon im due, plus my coolant level is low and there's a bit of sludge in the overflow tank. A search of the forums didnt seem to help find the answer i was looking for.

thats my first option or should i take it to a Radiator/Coolant place and get them to do it? Time is an issue as i work 6 days a week so im leaning towards this option.

I've heard Natrad are pretty good. Is there anywhere in Perth that someone could recommend to help us out?

thanks in advance for any info regarding the matter.

what sorta car

EL (6)

Yep, any suggestions?

Sorry I don't know the answer to your question.
Getting hold of a workshop manual will make life alot easier

do it ya self man its easy as. just rember to bleed the air from the system when ya fill it up.

search DRAIN RADIATOR, seems to be a bit there

Drain radiator by removing bottom hose.

Remove radiator and flush from one side to the other using garden hose.

Wash radiator externally through fins to remove debris.

Re-install radiator and connect all hose.

Install radiator cap.

Remove upper thermostat housing and remove thermostat. Replace housing

Remove small hose from upper housing and connect garden hose.

Turn on hose hard, flush until clean water comes out.

Replace thermostat and bleeder hose.

If you want to flush the heater. Remove heater tap (under intake manifold) and connect garden hose to heater hose leading into firewall. Turn on hose.

Once flushed clean replace all hoses, heater tap etc.

Fill system up with coolant to spec.

Run engine at fast idle (1500-1800) with cap off until thermostat is open. (coolant in tank will be hot when thermostat is open) top up cooling system as required.

thanks for the details mad max, makes it sound very do-able myself, hopefully have a afternoon free before xmas to have a go. cheers again.

i also found that when you do this its a good time to replace hoses. Just before i got the car my mate was toping up the coolant and the radiator blew up. He got a new radiator, thermostat and water pump. But they left the original hoses. Now i have a slow leak in the bottom hose and it means adding a few liters of water every now and then.

Go get a can of anti rust and corrision and pour that in there. Use that heavy coolant s**t and a bottle of demineralised water.

whereabouts in perth are ya?