Coolant change question

[DRZZZ]

I know this sounds picky, but when I'm doing the coolant change, the manual states to "put rubber hoses on the drain valves". Anyone know what diameter hose to use? Do I just put it over the nipple, or, over the whole bleed apparatus?

Should I put a hose over the Upper bleed valves when bleeding the air out to minimize coolant leakage on my (clean) engine?

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I think you would have to have a pretty large diameter hose to go pver the entire nipple (over 1/2" ID) so I would go over the nipple only.

Yes maybe a little "picky". No matter how you try you will get some coolant all over the place. I typically will back the car out and give it a quick gentle hosing off, or sometimes I use a spray bottle of clean water, then start it up and drive it to air dry.

Remember to make sure your heat is on when you turn the car off, before drain and bleed so you will have the water valve open to the heater core. It will give you a more complete bleed.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[Briank]

Hoses on the engine drains is just to keep from making a mess like Larry says and are not required. I guess if you had a new X and whanted to keep it in pristeen condition you could use hoses on the engine drains and on the two bleeders in the engine bay. I think 1/4" or 3/16th" id hoses would fit over the bleeders and the drains, I would would use clear hoses so you can see whats coming out on the bleeders.

 

[Soichiro]

Remember coolant smells sweet to animals but it is toxic to them. Clean up and flush any spills right away if you have pets around your home.

 

[Nimbus]

Coolant not only smells sweet, it also tastes sweet.