I got a coolant flush today at the dealer. They used a thing with a guage attached to draw air out of the radiator. They did a bleed of the coolant using a cylindrical funnel thing attached to the radiator opening with maybe 2 inches of water and coolant already in it. The tech said that as the engine is revved for several until hot, there should be bubbles as the car is being bled. Once the bubbles disappear and don't come up anymore, then the coolant is considered ok to drive on.

Does anyone know a link on how to flush and bleed the coolant at home? I don't have any of the tools I saw today at the dealer. I don't want to pay $170 every time.

thanks

 

Often do you change your coolant you make it sound like you do it often. Go buy the same funnel they use that is the best way to do it. There is also a bleeder screw near the passenger side fire wall. It is difficult to do though and there are many threads about coolant bleeding issues on this forum.

I would say you are better off paying the $170 every 2-3 years.

 

They had a funnel I'd never seen before, it wasn't one that tapered from large opening to small. It looked like a barrel with a small tip attached to the bottom.

I'd think I should do it 2-3 years too. But I drive about 35K a year. Don't know if mileage or time is more important as to potency of the coolant. But from what you wrote about the process, i think you're right. $170 is better than ruining something.

 

make sure it's topped off and if it starts running hotter get it flushed? It's not a common enough maintenance item to bother learning it. In fact I think it's only listed on the 60K service as mandatory?

 

That funnel works great... might be what you're talking about.

 

Yes,thanks. Looked a lot like this one.

 

i wonder why the manual that comes with the car makes no mention of the air relief plug. is it cus they want problems to occur so customers end up going to the dealer for service lol