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proper coolant drain and flush?
hello- I have a 93 Ford escort auto tran and I am confused as to the proper way to change the coolant. My Haynes book says you need to drain the radiator and also drain through the block drain plug. My Popular Mechanics CD says that there is a Ford TSB stating that you only need to drain from the radiator and that Ford will be eliminating the block drain plug on the 94 models. I would think that because the radiator drain plug is below the engine block plug that you could just drain the coolant out the radiator. The coolant block plugs look completely rusted in place. Any ideas?
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getting a block drain plug to stay in there like the factory ones generally do is reported to be not fun. I would stay away unless you need to install a block heater for winter.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
This is by far the best flushing, short of using a chemical flush on the system and then pulling the radiator and having it flushed by a professional radiator shop.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
the same stuff is used to de-ice airplanes, and MSP airport is building their own retention lagoon as part of runway additions, upgrades, etc. because they have been cited twice for the millions of gallons of the slop they have discharged.
this is not legal advice. check your local recycling folks or the sewer department.
There are airports still using ethylene glycol?
Our airports are using CF7 deicer and Magnesium Chloride. In fact, some of our highway crews have started using those 2 chemicals and CMA (Calcium Magnesium Acetate) as Ice inhibitors on the roads.
yeah, we use a tubload of glycol for deicing... just read someplace that it is only certified to -27 degrees F, so there are nights up north when they have to ground planes. they can spray down two 747/767 series planes at once on the service ramp, I think.
I have also checked with the local authorities - it is actually illegal to flush antifreeze down the sewer, although I don't know how they would catch you.
The dealerships and repair shops must recycle it someplace, but I guess this costs them $$ probably, which is why they aren't offering to share.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)