Coolant flush, good or bad idea?

[MattB]

My 2001 I30 has just under 75000 miles on it. I bought it with 60,000 on the odometer. Going through the Infiniti service records I have I can't find evidence of a coolant flush ever being done, so would it be a bad idea to have it flushed now?

[maxnix]

Why would new coolant with active anti-oxidants be a bad idea? Do you think old coolant was used in 2001?

Be sure to bring your own distelled water as few dealers have any. They think pH neutral eliiminates the elctrolytes and minerals. It does not.

[MattB]

No, but I have been told that having the machine flush done can cause leaks due to additives that are put in at the same time. Will not using distilled water make the coolant somehow different than what's in there originally? I thought coolant comes pre-mixed.

[Q45tech]

Didn't take Chemistry II in High School or college, obviously.

You don't have to use a chemical caustic flush, you can just drain the old and replace with new.

OEM fill is 50% demineralized water [usually by osmosis] but distilled won't hurt since aluminum self protects with an oxided film.

The alum and other clarifying chemicals municipal waters used can coagulate in the bottom of radiators.

Important to prolong the life of oem rad, hoses, water pump by making sure the coolant hasn't turned acidic and still has enough alkalinity.

[MattB]

Didn't take Chemistry II in High School or college, obviously.

You don't have to use a chemical caustic flush, you can just drain the old and replace with new.

OEM fill is 50% demineralized water [usually by osmosis] but distilled won't hurt since aluminum self protects with an oxided film.

The alum and other clarifying chemicals municipal waters used can coagulate in the bottom of radiators.

Important to prolong the life of oem rad, hoses, water pump by making sure the coolant hasn't turned acidic and still has enough alkalinity.

Nope, I'm an economics major.

Anyway, should I be concerned about the dealer using municipal water or are most dealers likely to use water that has the chemicals removed? I don't want to end up with radiator damage as a result of what should just be routine maintenance.

[qship96]

If you want it done right, do it yourself.....it is an easy procedure to do on a nice afternoon.I usually purchase 6-8 gallons of distilled water{less than $1 each} and drain radiator,refill with distilled water and start & warmup motor,let cool,drain again then another refill etc...until water draining is CLEAR {usually takes 6-8 drain/fills} finally add coolant to get to desired concentration....repeat every 2 years{using longlife coolant}

[MattB]

If you want it done right, do it yourself.....it is an easy procedure to do on a nice afternoon.I usually purchase 6-8 gallons of distilled water{less than $1 each} and drain radiator,refill with distilled water and start & warmup motor,let cool,drain again then another refill etc...until water draining is CLEAR {usually takes 6-8 drain/fills} finally add coolant to get to desired concentration....repeat every 2 years{using longlife coolant}

Maybe I'll just bring the dealer some distilled water to use. Where can I get some?

[oldmako]

Most grocery stores sell it.

I'd be amazed if more than 5 percent of the automotive shops use distilled water in a radiator. I wonder if it says to use it on the side of a bottle of anti-freeze?

[MattB]

Most grocery stores sell it.

I'd be amazed if more than 5 percent of the automotive shops use distilled water in a radiator. I wonder if it says to use it on the side of a bottle of anti-freeze?

My understanding is that most of it comes pre-mixed so there's no need to add any water, which is why I'm confused.

[oldmako]

Premixed is just the latest marketing gimmick. For most of my advanced life one simply bought a gallon full strength and mixed it 50-50....and it is still available full strength at most auto stores.

Now they prefer to sell you a half a gallon of AF in a one gallon container (premixed). After reading this thread, I will assume that they have included some exotic distilled h20 as well. I never knew that a radiator could be such a finicky beeotch. This premixed AF is a nice option if your 96 chevy truck has a slow leak don't axe me how I know.

The stuff wears out, or in my case, leaks out eventually.

[maxnix]

oldmako is correct. I bet he even remembers when everyone would switch to snow tires in the winter. All-season my arsch!

[MattB]

oldmako is correct. I bet he even remembers when everyone would switch to snow tires in the winter. All-season my arsch!

So do I need to bring the dealer several gallons of distilled water or not?

[maxnix]

Two should do it with concentrated antifreeze.

Good time to change to OAT anti-freeze with a thorough flush of old coolant.

[SynisterQ]

[QUOTE=oldmako This premixed AF is a nice option if your 96 chevy truck has a slow leak don't axe me how I know.

The stuff wears out, or in my case, leaks out eventually.[/QUOTE]

Man, Oldmako, I love your ghetto/gangsta talk, cracks me up everytime!! I literally LOL!

[oldmako]

Ahhhhite, Ahm down wid dat. Meebee someday we can be chillaxin' wiff some Slitz Malllicka Bull an a fat spliff nomesane?

Yahbecoo.