[chrisbean]

I need to flush the rad out. not sure if it has ever been done...new to me car...the coolant looks a little nasty. I know bout dropping the lower hose but after than...distilled water? 100% antifreeze? do i have a special motor or what...dont answer... any help/recommendation would be helpful!

[Daytrepper]

50/50 Mix of Zerex G-05 (or equivalent) and distilled water (preferably)....for the final mixture. You can flush it with water and a cooling system cleaner treatment....just make sure you get the proper anti-freeze mixture in the end when you're done flushing. You will have residual water in the system after flushing that can thin the mixture when you do the final refill. You can open the block drain plugs when done flushing to get all the water out...... Or, while doing the final refill, fill it, check freeze point, if too high, open the radiator drain, let a quart or so out at a time while adding pure antifreeze to lower the freeze point, which should be -34F.

Be sure to properly bleed the system while filling using the bleeder valve at the front of the engine, in the top of the intake manifold. Open it regularly during the flush process, and on the final fill, open it, and leave it open until you cannot add coolant anymore, then start the engine, crack it open for a few seconds to let excess air out, then run the engine to operating temp with the radiator cap OFF. Once it his operating temp and the thermostat opens, recheck the coolant level, and top off as needed. Shut it down, let it cool, check the level again.

If this is a 2.7, and your coolant is milky, or super dirty, you might have oil/coolant mixing issues from a bad water pump, or worse, head gasket. Those issues will need to be checked as well.

[chrisbean]

Well its dirty but not milky. Now the manifold drain thing...I saw that and was wondering if thats what it was for. i was just being nosy and turned it and nothing happened. then turned it back but it never tightened? I can get that fluid from autozone right? Im PRAYING it not the water pump (probably) but the coolant is nasty looking, it just has to last me till tax time (doubt it) to trade it in Dont want to) but i need a REALLY small car for the drive i have to do for work.

[chrisbean]

Is this what your talking about? my bleeder screw just spins in the brass fitting it set in.

[peva]

Most likely the brass seat is spinning in the plastic - that's one of the common failure modes of that part (bad design).

[chrisbean]

http://www.dodgeintrepid.net/showthr...=39723...found this about the part, and a few more. Looks like i have my weekend planned now! Thanks!

[peva]

If you care about the part lasting, would advise getting the new design with the metal pipe from the dealer. Aftermarket parts are by Dorman - always questionable quality,and of the inferior older design,

[chrisbean]

well went to all my car parts palces her in town and not Zerex anywhere. Just store branded Antifreeze and peak and prestone. Thats it? any other suggestions?

[DrDodge]

napa carries it,, its where i baught mine

[peva]

All Ford dealers carry it - it is the Motorcraft "Premium Gold" Antifreeze (Ford use several different antifreezes, so you have to get that one) - it is G-05. And Chrysler dealers - Long Life 100k Mile. Ford's is yellow (as is Zerex), Chryslers is reddish. I've been using the Ford Premium Gold for years with no problems - as I said - it is G-05.

[Daytrepper]

Yep, I always get it at Napa. IIRC Carquest carries it too.