[TRobinson6]

if you pull the lower radiator hose off the run then rear end up on ramps will all the coolant (heater core, engine and radiator) drain out?

then when filling run the front end up reinstall the hose and fill the system back up (then bleed of course).

 

[jimvw57]

Again, a good reason to sign up with Evilution as there is an in depth procedure for removing the drain plug for the motor coolant, and then removing the front radiator lower hose to drain coolant. To refill, there is a procedure to refill and then remove a hose on the motor to let out any air in the system.

Most coolant is good for about 5 years and 50,000 miles I would think your car should be good for a bit yet.

 

[Rustedwrench]

No to both questions. Follow Jim's advice.

 

[stevenjb]

When the service shop replaced the coolant on my 2012, I was told they did a negative pressure fill.

 

[jimvw57]

A lot of shops use a machine that the splice into the heater hose line and it draws out the coolant and flushes the system, then refills it. I have no idea if it would work on a smart or not. and if it would take care of the 'bubble' in the block.

I have heard both good and bad about those machines, that they knock stuff loose and end up plugging passages, or that they do a great job cleaning things out. I guess you need to form your own opinion. I would think just draining and refilling would work fine if the system is in good shape, but some sort of cleaning would be better if there was a buildup inside the radiator or block, how would you know?? I guess if you had a core plug come out or blew a radiator, but that would probably be too late for a cleaning.

 

[Sal marinosci]

if you pull the lower radiator hose off the run then rear end up on ramps will all the coolant (heater core, engine and radiator) drain out?

then when filling run the front end up reinstall the hose and fill the system back up (then bleed of course).

No, just jack the drivers side up a bit, take hose off the bottom loosen cap go to rear loosen hose on engine till it bleeds then loosen the petcock on the rear wall of the block and drain all of the coolant out . Titen the Pert cock the go to the front put the hose back on and fill the overflow tank with antifreeze till it comes out the engine hose you left loose. Then titned that engine hose you left loose. Put the cap on the overflow ,start the engine bring to temp. Check for leaks. By the way start and do this with the engine cold. Good luck

 

[jwight]

Not sure where this petcock is supposed to be on a 451 Mitsu engine; there is a drain plug in the block...

1	Cap
2	Expansion reservoir
3	Coolant hose
4	Hose clamp
5	Radiator
6	Coolant hose
7	Clamp
8	Coolant drain plug