Radiator/tranny flush

**Smittro** · 10-23-2012, 03:02 AM

Since the LS1 and the 3800 f-bodies share the same rez..

I can tell you I had to chemically clean my rez to get out all the sludge because just flushing it with water did'nt do the trick for me.

The sludge was a heavy goop that did'nt want to wash. I even tried hot soapy water and that did'nt get it.

I mixed about equal parts kerosene with water and then closed off the rez and shook it up.

That effectively removed the dex-cool goop.

After that I then flushed it again with soapy water then just clean water and reinstalled the rez.

**pajeff02** · 10-23-2012, 03:26 AM

I use tap water (we're on a well) to flush the system and then perform the final flush with distilled water.

**Guerrillakilla13** · 10-30-2012, 09:28 PM

Thanks for the heads up smittro, I'll plan accordingly just in case I run into the same problem.

So far I've bought 2 gallons of dexcool and a thermostat plus the housing. I'll buy two gallons of filtered water tomorrow..is that all I need?

**Too Fast** · 10-31-2012, 02:22 AM

^^^sounds like you have a plan.

**az gt eater** · 10-31-2012, 03:33 PM

I have to say it again, you should change your hoses while you have it apart. Did you get the right thermostat?

**SuperSSguy** · 10-31-2012, 03:56 PM

^^ Totally agree -it would be a bitch to do all that then have a hose pop on you!! and yeah make sure it the right thermo-and pointed in the right direction sounds funny but ive seen it happen!

**Guerrillakilla13** · 11-01-2012, 09:28 AM

Right, the hoses..where can I buy them? And how many are there?

I'm going by the write up so hopefully the mistakes will be minimal lol. The guy at checker o reilly hooked me up with the right thermostat, it comes with the housing. should be the right one i'd assume

**az gt eater** · 11-01-2012, 10:51 AM

Sounds like you have the right thermostat. The hoses depend, do you have a power steering cooler? I would take the houses outside before you pay for them, and compare them to the old ones. If you have a cooler, you might consider putting a different cooler in, because when the stock one fails, it mixes coolant with power steering fluid.

**Guerrillakilla13** · 11-01-2012, 11:18 PM

Yeah I think I do have a cooler.. if not I'd require one hose right? Otherwise how would i check of I have a cooler or not?.. Come tomorrow I'll play with the hoses with my hands. If they squeeze in too much than I'll think serious about replacing them. If not I'll probably keep it as is. The hoses I require apparently would cost me 60 at checker!

**pajeff02** · 11-02-2012, 02:25 AM

The P/S cooler is the aluminum tube mounted in the upper radiator hose. These have been known to fail. I replaced mine with a tube and fin style cooler mounted on the front of the K-member. The upper hose is then the same as a Camaro - one single piece, rather than the two piece Trans Am setup.

**Too Fast** · 11-02-2012, 02:27 AM

$60 is better than a breakdown if the 10 year old hoses fail. If you squeeze the hose, when the engine is cold, and you feel brittleness inside the hose, then they need to be changed ASAP. If they feel really squishy, again ASAP. If they still have a lot of flexability and firmness, you should be ok. (I still have my OE hoses) Gates and other hose manufacturers say to change them every 4-5 years, but they also have a reason to say that.

Your WS6 should have the PS cooler on the upper radiator hose, look for a metal piece with 3/8'' hoses attached at the bottom of that. I'm thinking you could get a hose for a non-WS6 and it should go in place of the PS cooler assemby. (I still have the OE PS cooler and I'm getting a bit scared of it failing!)

**Guerrillakilla13** · 11-11-2012, 12:50 PM

I've never heard of the failed P/S cooler thing before, But with the way my cars been acting lately maybe I should feel freaked :S it sounds costly to fix though!

I got a chance to play with the hoses today, if i'm not mistaken its 2 half U shaped hoses. Anywhere they were very very very squishy so Looks like i'm about to fork out some extra cash! Are those the only 2 hoses I need to worry about? Is there anything else I'm missing? you've all been a great help.

**az gt eater** · 11-11-2012, 01:32 PM

I think there are three. If you have the power steering cooler(which you should have), those two are for the upper section. You still are missing the lower hose. This is the one that connects to the thermostat.

**pajeff02** · 11-11-2012, 05:19 PM

There are also heater hoses and throttle body hoses, which by the year of your car are 10 plus years old now. Not a bad idea to change it all out.

**Guerrillakilla13** · 11-19-2012, 10:47 AM

Sorry it takes me so long to respond gents. az gt's right I was told that there are 3 hoses overall. There's two half shaped U hoses and one near the bottom that goes straight, down, straight than left, straight than right into the Radiator. If that makes sense

I played with the hoses at the shop and to be honest my current ones didn't feel any different than the new ones I played with at the store. Mine were a bit dirty, but overall they felt the same. I'll replace them though anyway though just in case. Do you guys think I need new clamps too?

Pajeff, I'm thinkin about replacing other hoses when the parts they connect to need a change or repair..

**az gt eater** · 11-19-2012, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Guerrillakilla13

I'll replace them though anyway though just in case. Pajeff, I'm thinkin about replacing other hoses when the parts they connect to need a change or repair..

Good man on both of these points. Clamps should be fine. They have to be corroded extensively, or mangled to not be servicable anymore.

**pajeff02** · 11-19-2012, 03:07 PM

I always service the entire cooling system in one shot -- which means replacing every hose. If you leave some of the original hoses in place, just keep an eye on them. I have been to AZ -- there is a whole lot of nothing between cities it seems. Not a place I'd want to suffer a catastrophic loss of coolant.

**Guerrillakilla13** · 11-19-2012, 04:36 PM

Sounds good, thanks

Absolutely, preventative maintenance seems to be a requirement for our Fbodies. I only stay in the general Phoenix area so I think i'll be okay; unless AAA decides not to be speedy. Aren't the 3 hoses that i'm talking about the only 3 i'll be touching for the flush?

**pajeff02** · 11-19-2012, 05:10 PM

Upper hose is two piece, lower hose, crossover tube to throttle body, throttle body to radiator, heater inlet and outlet hose assemblies, and then there is an overflow hose as well. That should be all of them.