Draining the coolant system. What's your secret?

[mickyd32]

So my post about a coolant leak in another thread has got me thinking, what's everyones secret or tip to draining the coolant system

What we typically do is crack a line somewhere up high and add in a new section of line that goes to a collection "sump"

Then we remove the cap and use a new rag or some plastic and compressed air through the bottle to push the coolant to our collection "sump"

Pros : quick and simple
Cons: can make a mess, I seam to be better at making a mess than the other guys in the shop

What's everyone else do?

 

[pura vida]

Dedicated shop vac so the coolant can be reused. No mess, no fuss. Most of the time...

PV

 

[mickyd32]

Where are you pulling from with the shop vac?

 

[NapaMatt]

I like taking off the line that goes to the coolant bottle.. then putting a longer hose on it to a pan.. then compressed air to the line you took off going to the TB's..

gets out 80 %

ALWAYS use Qtips to make sure bolt holes in cly.. are dry for the head bolts!!

 

[pura vida]

I get as much as I can through the reservoir and/or the bleed hole. Then tilt the sled on the side, up, down, and around to try to get the remaining coolant more accessible. It works most of the time. I've pulled cylinders off before without spilling a drop. Other times..., not so much. Oh, I also have a flexible round tube taped to the end of the shop vac nozzle so I can shove it all the way down the reservoir and get a decent seal against the bleed hole. Just did the bleed hole method last night to swap out a thermostat. Worked perfect.

 

[dboivin]

http://youtu.be/mAn-XZ5WvnQ

 

[rmscustom]

Liquid vac of some sort is what I use... Almost zero mess.

 

[05900]

Shop air regulated to low psi...shop vac with hose attached.

 

[99slpss]

Just did this! I used a hand pump siphon to get all the coolant out of the over flow tank then pulled the lower hose off the overflow that goes to the block and shoved the siphon hose down the inside of that hose all the way till it cannot go any further then pump away into a clean bucket if reusing! Zero mess, Here is a link to the siphon I used.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GW...qid=1418432838&sr=8-14&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

 

[RHODESIE]

vac

http://youtu.be/5X7L86cIrnw
o loss

 

[ak]

I use a primer bulb off a fuel tank that is found on just about any outboard boat motor.

 

[pulltype_polaris]

X2 on the hand syphon or fluid transfer pump. Empty overflow then down the bottom hose off the overflow as far as you can. I always just unbolt the throttle botties and leave attached to the sled.