It took me a total of 8 flushes to clear mine .... and it was driven for at least 5 miles between flushes .. except for 7-8 which had a 250 mile drive !!

In went the antifreeze after the 8th drain and it still looks a nice slightly orange colour a week later ..

It does take a lomg time. I emptied the coolant via the drain and topped back up with hot water each time, ran it for a couple of minutes to top up(ish) the system again & then drained it. I also did a bit of waht Broocie had suggested & ran the engine with the drain tap opened a little but with a hose connected to the hot tap keeping in replenished.

(I really do need to do the same with my Astra - it's had plain water in for the last few weeks       {or is it months?])

Wayne wrote on 23. Sep 2007 at 19:54:


Why should it be cold? Hot was used as the water coming out was hot  --- thermal shock & all that! (Been there done that many years ago as I was limping my MkIII from Pompey to Manchester using what ever water I could find as I had a hole in the rad. I managed to crack the block! )

It does take a long time if the cooling system has not been flushed aout before, after each flush though the gunk coming out should start to reduce,
I did mine yesterday and it took 4Hrs with filling up running for 10mins or until the thermostat opened and then draining again. I carried on doing this with clean water until all the crude had stoppped coming out.

Don't forget to have the heater on "max" whilst doing this .. or you will not clean out the water trapped in the heater side of the system ! 

Andy B wrote on 23. Sep 2007 at 20:05:


Andy B - quite correct.  It was not assumed.

hotel21 wrote on 22. Sep 2007 at 20:01:


Wayne - no offence intended.  read what was typed as to full description of what to do....