# Radiator Flushing

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-flushing/12926>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [April 16, 2008, 2:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-flushing/12926 "2008-04-16T02:09:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bobbyandberyl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@bobbyandberyl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bobbyandberyl)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 2:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-flushing/12926/1 "2008-04-16T02:09:40Z")

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I have my antifreeze replaced according to my cars maintenance schedule. I hear talk of flushing the radiator and then I hear of back flushing. I have never requested either of these procedures. Should I?

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**Author:** ![mmsamma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ed655f/32.png) [@mmsamma](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mmsamma)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 2:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-flushing/12926/2 "2008-04-16T02:31:32Z")

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I have my antifreeze replaced according to my cars maintenance schedule.

you answered your own ?

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**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 3:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-flushing/12926/3 "2008-04-16T03:07:37Z")

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In most cases a simple drain-and-refill is all you need. The flush and the more vigorous back flush should be used if the old coolant is discolored or if there has been a known problem with the cooling system. Many shops push the power flush even though it is unnecessary. It sounds to me as if you don’t need anything more than the simple procedure.

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**Author:** ![bobbyandberyl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@bobbyandberyl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bobbyandberyl)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-flushing/12926/4 "2008-04-16T18:18:37Z")

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As noted below, I was asking more about procedure than the actual fluid change itself.  
Thanks for your input.

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**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-flushing/12926/5 "2008-04-17T01:39:05Z")

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If you replace your antifreeze according to your manuals recommendation, you will never need to flush or back-flush. Those are last ditch efforts for people who ignored the cooling system maintenance, and they usually fail.

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**Author:** ![bobbyandberyl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@bobbyandberyl](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bobbyandberyl)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 1:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-flushing/12926/6 "2008-04-17T01:52:54Z")

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Thanks to you all for the information you’ve provided.

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**Author:** ![Jeremy\_R\_Hoyt](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jeremy_r_hoyt/32/37_2.png) [@Jeremy\_R\_Hoyt](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jeremy_R_Hoyt)\
**Post date:** [April 17, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/radiator-flushing/12926/7 "2008-04-17T16:50:45Z")

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Personally, I alternate between drain/refill and flush/refill.