Phil.  I tried this last weekend and it worked great.
One modification: After the water coming out was clear, I just added
two gallons of pure antifreeze and put a little pure antifreeze in the
overflow tank, which puts the 2.25 gallons in that gives a 50/50
mixture. The flow out was still running clear, so it doesn't waste any new
$15/gallon Autobahn a/f. As you mention, purists would suggest a lower down
flush would get rid of particulate matter as well and I have to agree.

Cheers, Tom Neal

On Sun, 9 May 1999, Philip R. Hanlon wrote:

> Dear List,
>
>     The method I use can be criticized for not "flushing" the cooling
> system, but for simply changing the coolant I can't imagine anything easier.
> It's a method I read about on the list a year ago and used last June - and
> plan to repeat this coming June.
>     I direct the hose coming from the engine into the (pressurized) coolant
> tank into a bucket (careful, it's hot) and keep the coolant tank filled with
> filtered water. Once the color of the coolant coming out becomes clear, the
> first part's over. Then I continue with a 50/50 mixture of Autobahn coolant
> and filtered water until I've added at least 16 liters or so and the color
> of the coolant coming out is pretty blue. Follow up with a bit of pure
> Autobahn and the process is complete. Engine running, of course, and all
> heater valves open. If you don't allow the fluid level in the coolant tank
> to get too low (and suck air) there's no need to purge the system.
>     How does the list feel about this, pro and con?
>
> Philip R. Hanlon
> 91 Carat
> Mobile, AL
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <KENWILFY@AOL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Saturday, May 08, 1999 8:37 AM
> Subject: Re: Can Coolant be flushed this way?
>
>
> > I'm not very scientific about flushing coolant.  I just unhook the two
> main
> > lines on the left of the engine and flush in one and out the other.  Then
> I
> >snip<
>