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Fairly self-explanatory post really.

I have red coolant at the moment but would prefer green coolant (yes, I'm that superficial).

I have enough distilled water for two or three flushes (and if I end up not using it, I'll just drink it ), plus enough coolant for one or two tanks.

Oh, and it's a BP 1.8L engine, 180,000kms (if it makes a difference).

Any tips/tricks - like how long you leave the flush in the engine for (5 mins? 5 days?), and whether tap water is enough to flush it out?

I drain the radiator via the screw bung then take the thermostat out, turn the heater on, & shove the garden hose in the thermostat housing & idle the engine until all trace of coolant is gone cause you dont want to mix the red & the green. Its messy but works for me.

Put it back together & put a can of flush through it but I never leave it in any longer than the directions say lest it dissolves the engine.

Flush it all out as above & put the incredible hulk's piddle in. Good time to change the thermo & rad cap too.

do you need to buy a new thermostat gasket if you take it out?

Miata Bart wrote:Good time to change the thermo & rad cap too.

Good call - I better get them too.
What do you mean by a "can of flush"? I take it it's a simple tin or bottle designed for flushing the radiator?

Watch for airpockets when refilling the radiator...

Buy a good radiator flush additive, Wynns, Nulon etc, and as Tezz states, when you refill it, squeeze the bottom radiator hose to get all the air out.

I hope when you drain the coolant and flush the radiator you do so into a container or take the car somewhere to have the coolant disposed properly.
Of course you are!!
Your not going to drain it into the gutter so it can run to the local waterways, where it can take approx 10000yrs to breakdown.
I didn't think so.
Seriously, coolant needs special handling to dispose of properly, like burning in a high temp incinerator to dispose of it properly. Enough coolant finds its way to waterways through leaking cooling systems to have dire consquences to the ecology.
Companys like Nationwide Oils can dispose properly for you, or your local dealer, for a cost, as its very expensive for them.
I'm not a greeny by any means but this is one product you really need to think about.
Terry

Locutus wrote:do you need to buy a new thermostat gasket if you take it out?

depends if its buggered or not. If it has been there for ages it might break, tear or crumble so you might have to. If its relatively new, shouldnt be a problem. They are cheap as chips and are a good thing to have a spare of hanging on a nail somewhere.

tbro wrote:I hope when you drain the coolant and flush the radiator you do so into a container or take the car somewhere to have the coolant disposed properly.
Of course you are!!

Of course I am!!

It's a good point tbro, and one everyone should remember - especially with coolant, oil and batteries.
My standard way of dealing with them is using the old bottles or a few juice containers, then hoarding them for a few years before I get around to disposing of them properly Although I haven't found out if my current council does it...

i find the water containers used by Piccadily etc spring water for water coolers are useful for storing my oil.