Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 2 of 2 1 2
#791872 11/16/03 05:27 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9
T
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
T
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9
the head on the drain plug is a phillips head but i used a wood chisel just like a regular screwdriver to loosen mine. just put it on top of the frame and worked my hand in so i could get some grip. the plug [screw] is very tight and it squeaks the whole way out but it will work.

#791873 11/22/03 05:24 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 245
B
CEG\'er
Offline
CEG\'er
B
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 245
In this thread I beleive some earlier posts stated they had gone to JIFFY LUBE for radiator flush. I also thought I would let Jiffy Lube drain, flush and refill the antifreeze. I price was quoted was $69.95 l isn't this Just a bit TOO HIGH needless to say told them "no thanks".
You guys got any suggestion as to another place and what should the price be??


Col. Bill Evans CAF (ret) 98 Contour GL Zetec ATX (totally stock) Color-Willow Mist 104,XXX Miles
#791874 11/24/03 04:31 PM
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 288
R
CEG\'er
Offline
CEG\'er
R
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 288
yeah that is a bit high. I think mine was like 30 or something. I believe I walked out of there for like 60 or 70 bucks with an oil change too.

-Rob


White 95 GL ATX 56K Miles on it. Optilux By Hella Fog lights (The Angel Eyes) Driven hard, Just like I like it!
#791875 11/25/03 02:44 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,840
S
Hard-core CEG'er
Offline
Hard-core CEG'er
S
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,840
Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
Screwdriver, the drain plug isn't that hard to get to. I don't know why ya'll are always complainin bout it.


It's not the easiest drain plug to get at though... For me though, I've found that a fairly large philips screwdriver works best, one that also has a little bit of length to it.

#791876 11/25/03 06:03 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248
L
CEG road warrior
Offline
CEG road warrior
L
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 17,248
I got mine flushes at Jiffy Lube for $90 or so.....or was that the trans fluid...time to look for receipts.


Hector 2003 Rally Red Mitsubishi Evolution VIII 257HP/259TQ 2005 Lapis Blue Mazda 6s RET: 00 Cabernet Red Ford Contour Zetec ATX SUPERCHARGED 160HP/141TQ
#791877 01/01/04 08:12 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,395
T
Hard-core CEG\'er
Offline
Hard-core CEG\'er
T
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,395
My easy solution was: Use Vice Grips! (not too tight tho)
Damn haynes makes it look easy...


Former owner of a 1995 Ford Contour GL w/ 2.0L ATX Proud owner of a 2005 Ford Taurus SE 3.0L V6 Vulcan --Looking for Commodore stuff (Drives, Units, Amiga, games, etc)If anyone has any of this laying around and wants it gone, lemme know --
#791878 01/02/04 05:40 AM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3
V
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
V
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3
My flushing solution:

There is a hose / pipe that runs under the engine near the oil pan, timing belt and after-cat oxygen sensor. IIRC the hose is for the heater. I sliced the hose and inserted a Prestone "T" that connects to a garden hose for flushing. It works as a great drain because it is the lowest part of the cooling system.

To flush,
(1) make sure the heater is turned all the way hot.
(2) open the drain in the "T" and let the old coolant empty into a catch pan.
(3) remove the thermostat and reinstall the thermostat housing.
(4) remove the coolant tank cap
(5) attach a garden hose to the "T" and run the hose on moderate pressure. The water will empty out of the top of the coolant tank. When the water is clear, you're done flushing. You do NOT run the engine! The engine should be cold for this process. A hot engine and cold water could potentially cause a metal or gasket failure in the engine.
(6) remove the hose and let the water drain out of the system. Install the cap on the "T" tightly.
(7) re-install the thermostat with a new o-ring.
(8) check the owner's manual for the capacity of the cooling system. Calculate half of the printed capacity and fill that much of the system with 100% anti-freeze. This ensures you will get a 50/50% mix because any fluid remaining in the system will be 100% water after a flush. Top the system off with 100% water. The solution will mix very quickly once the engine is started.

As for anti-freeze, use only phosphate free. Phosphates in the anti-freeze will cause corrosion of the aluminum parts in the engine - there are many. If an anti-freeze container doesn't say phosphate-free, it isn't.


#791879 01/03/04 12:03 AM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 263
J
CEG\'er
Offline
CEG\'er
J
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 263
Originally posted by vedipus:
My flushing solution:

There is a hose / pipe that runs under the engine near the oil pan, timing belt and after-cat oxygen sensor. IIRC the hose is for the heater. I sliced the hose and inserted a Prestone "T" that connects to a garden hose for flushing. It works as a great drain because it is the lowest part of the cooling system.






I have both the Duratech MTX and the Zetec ATX.
The Zetec's drainplug was really a PITA to get to. So I added the T as mentioned above. Removing the Thermastat was a good idea.

The thermastat only opens when the engine reaches a certain temp. So you have run the engine for a while to let it heat up so you get proper circulation through the engine.


------------------------------------------------- 1996SE sports package, Duratec MTX No mods yet. 80K Kilometers. ------------------------------------------------- Wife has 1996GL Zetec ATX.
#791880 01/03/04 01:14 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 328
M
CEG\'er
Offline
CEG\'er
M
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 328
Originally posted by Blevans:
In this thread I beleive some earlier posts stated they had gone to JIFFY LUBE for radiator flush. I also thought I would let Jiffy Lube drain, flush and refill the antifreeze. I price was quoted was $69.95 l isn't this Just a bit TOO HIGH needless to say told them "no thanks".
You guys got any suggestion as to another place and what should the price be??




I asked the local Ford dealer how much to drain, flush, and fill. They said about $90.00.
I asked about changing the thermostat at the same time. They said around $85.00 for the thermostat change.

I told them "Ok, thanks".
Then I left.


- Jim Our yardbirds: Belvedere, our '96 Jeep Cherokee, 4.0L ATX, 85,000 and going strong Spencer, our '03 Chrysler PT Crusier, 2.4L ATX, 28,000 and just getting started
#791881 01/06/04 05:26 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,483
S
Hard-core CEG'er
Offline
Hard-core CEG'er
S
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,483
If you get a back flush kit, you don't even need to worry about the drain plug.
Takes me about 10 minutes to completly back flush my system and install a new t-sat and coolant.


Frank McCoy aka Mod-deth aka Mid Life Crisis aka SVT Doood aka mcgainer is a SCAM ARTIST Pre98 Zetec - Some Mods
Page 2 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  Lance Kinley_dup1, Loco4G63 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5