coolant flush?

[redgrandam]

hey guyz! long time no post for me.. but I think some people remember me :D.. maybe.. anywaysss........


here's the (hopefully) quick story.. I was working in toronto, and my water pump exploded at 3:30 in the morning on me, so I ended up getting it fixed at the nearest place in the morning after work, which unfortunately ended up being Canadian Tire... Only time I've ever gone there, anyone from up here prollly knows why.. well, anyways, they replaced the water pump, and 'flush and filled' the coolant... I just got my oil change done at home here today, and the first thing the mechanic says is "you should probably have your coolant flushed" :bash: just what I got done 2 weeks ago! So I guess I will be going back to them, but with 250 000 KM on it now, do you think that it is due to a crapppy job flushing it (had been a while) or is my rad maybe on the fritz? Inside the resevoir the coolant looks like water and slimy still, just as it did before they did the work, or lack there of.

thanks everyone!

later!

[rixGAphx]

On the Invoice, how much did CT charge for the 'flush and fill'?

'Normally', the flush would be about a $40Us item, plus cost of new AF and Enviro Disposal Fee for the old AF.
This $40 would cover the cost of chemicals and labor to dissolve the crap in the cooling system (rad AND engine AND heater circuit).

An 'ordinary' waterpump R&R would NOT have included a 'flush' unless the customer specifically requested it or approved the technician's, uhm, 'recommendation'.

IF they did in fact agree to/charged for a 'flush', then DAMMED RIGHT take it back and demand clear, clean water-antifreeze!!!
That's what they agreed to, that's the definition of a 'flush': Clean it.
Don't use my bathroom and leave a crappy bowl, then tell me you 'flushed' and it must be MY problem!! :eek: :banghead:
[Sorry, too much South Park :D ]

Anywho, regardless of 20 kms or 200,000 kms, lots of chemicals and lots of clear flushing water WILL clean the system of the dissolved minerals and suspended particles.
When they were flushing it, they should have noticed if it was rinsing clear or still 'gunky'. If still gunky, they should have told you that your system was incredibly dirty with age and would require more time/chemicals/money to properly flush it.
Beware, however, that there are strong chemicals and STRONG chemicals. Too much chemical flushing for too long with too-strong acids can actually EAT some of the thin metals (rad and heater core fins) to the point where the thing fails/leaks.
* * *

The ONLY exception is if your engine, like many of ours, is actually leaking exhaust into the cooling system thru a failed headgasket.
That will dirty-up the brand-new coolant just as you describe, even on an otherwise perfect engine/rad/coolant system.

Hope this helps.
-Rick

[redgrandam]

awesome.. thanks for the great info!!

the bill clearly has flush and fill on it... roughly the price you suggested for it.

J