Subject: Cooling System: Flushing
Question: How's everything going Anthony? my name's John from L.A.,CA. I've got a
'96 Mits. Eclipse GS-T; 2.0L Turbo w/ a 5-speed. I feel somewhat embarrassed concerning my question. Worried you might possibly view it as "too general". However, I am currently stuck 1/3 of the way in flushing my cooling system. I've gone over "Haynes Repair Manual" procedures quite a few times, but it's illustration of the "coolant tube on side of engine"
is too vague & unclear. Will you be able to provide me w/ some much needed assistance & hopefully more clearer guidelines concerning this procedure?
Any advice/tips will be sincerely appreciated along w/ my apologies to post inconvenience upon you. Look forward to your knowledgable response.
Answer: John,
No question is ever too general. The Hayne's manuals are a great reference, but sometimes they can be too general. They cover many models and years.

I believe the statement "coolant tube on side of engine" is a misprint. I believe they are referring to the tube connected to the bottom of the radiator; driver side I think. Some models might have a tube right on the engine, but I can't remember. Here are my basic steps to flushing the
coolant:

-Let the engine cool
-Remove the radiator cap (replace if it looks worn; PepBoys sells them) -Open the valve next to the tube on the bottom of the radiator to drain the coolant out of the radiator (I think it's on the drivers side) BE SURE YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO CATCH ALL THE FLUID IN -If you want (and are able to), you can slooowly jack up the rear end while the fluid is draining. This will force more fluid out.
-Follow the procedure in the Haynes book on flushing the radiator with a regular garden hose.
- Inspect the upper and lower radiator hoses. If you remove one of those hoses BE SURE to put it back on exactly how you took it off. If it is not on the same way it was from when before you removed it, that could cause a leak.
- When filling your engine back up with coolant, use the recommened mixture and anti-freeze type as indicated in your owners manual. Since you live in a warmer climate (i.e. Your temperature never drops below freezing), you may want to make a mixture with a little more water than anti-freeze; like 60% water, 40% anti-freeze.

Coolant flushes are very important, especially in the turbo models. I'd recommend a flush every 3 years/ 36,000 miles if you drive under normal conditions; no drag or street racing.
Good luck!