Easy coolant flush?

[rex00111]

I need to flush and replace my coolant. I know I should use phosphate free coolant and distilled water. I am trying to avoid the mess associated with pulling the plug under number 4, is there an easier way??? My garage is located remotely, so there is no water source or drain handy there. The coolant currently is like three or four years old, and was in it when I bought the car about a month and half ago. I just got the car to start yesterday....many of you have helped along the path from a no-start, so thank you for that.....

Open to all hints, help, and pointers.

[rex00111]

Come on, I know someone has some sort of hint or help.......please??? How do I avoid air pockets when I do the flush???

[djnolan]

pulling the drain plug on the radiator and all of the hoses around the waterpump should cause most of the coolant to drain out. if you measure the qty you should get an idea of the percentage of old coolant remaining. replace with straight dexcool and you should be good for many years.

[djnolan]

air pockets: don't flush, just drain it out. when you refill, shove a piece of 1/2 heater hose into the coolant tank opening, and stick a funnel into the end of the heaer hose. filler her up with straight coolant. bleed the air out by opening the bleeder screw on the thermostat housing to let the air out. close the bleed screw, run the car till the coolant gauge shows normal. add more coolant and open the bleed screw again until the air escapes.

the reason for the heater hose is to have the funnel several inches higher than the bleed screw and this forces the air out... without the heater hose and the funnel, the air will not be forced out...

[jackrussell]

Does the '86 have a bleeder screw in the thermostat housing?
The early models, '83 thru '85-1/2, have the bleeder screw in the connection from the engine block to the top radiator hose.
Just curious.