I know... i know the horror stories... The local jiffy lube does a good job on my cars and i take my parents cars up there too so i know my particular location is good and more importantly they know me and that i'm gonna stand around and watch them as they work ( no waiting in the lobby with the old tv with a coathanger for an antenna). I'm wondering if their coolant exchange procedure is safe for a 308.They basically suction out the old and pump in the new. I guess with the 308 they'd use the overflow tank to suck out the old. Is this procedure ok to use or should it be drained from the radiator??
You can't drain it from the expansion tank, you'd never get anything like all of it out. Draining coolant on a 3x8 is a messy business even on a good day !
Ask Birdman about the suction method - that led to the odyssey in Montreal. In a nutshell, it pulled the deteriorated inner lining of his lines off and into the radiator, clogging it. If you have newer lines, you should be fine?
This is a simple procedure if you are set up for it. You need to be able to get under the front of the car (a lift will help) and remove the panel under the front below the rack. About 14 bolts and then you will see the 3/4" heater hose. You need to cut that and drain the fluid into a 5 gal. bucket. I use my oil drain tank. I get 16 liters out of the 18 liters to drain out. Now splice in a TEE fitting that you get for doing a antifreeze flush. You can get this at an auto parts store. This makes the future change simple. I don't think you will ever get the total 18 liters out of the car but this gets almost all of it. Close the cover up and fill the system and do the bleed for a few days and you got it done. Next time you do this in 2 years it should take you 1-1 1/2 hrs ,green to green to get this done. I would also bet that Jiffy lube guys don't have a clue on the fill procedure and don't have enough time to do it right. Unless you don't have the tools or the skills you shoulf find an independent shop to do the work. I would bet that the dealer would get $100-$200 to do this job. Something I would not pay. Give it a go.
Stuart, Unless you really know the guys there at your specific location, I'd not trust so much in JL. In my previous experiences with them I had wrenches left inside my car's engine (no kidding) as well as other stuff gone bizarre after I left those locations in the past. Luckily it was with my ol' car ..
It seems like any of these places SHOULD be able to do these "low-tech" procedures, but my experience has been that many of the so-called mechanics at these locations always take the attitude that "if a little is good, more is better", especially when it comes to tightening bolts, fasteners, oil pan plugs, etc. I have had things broken and stripped that only needed tightening--not a gorilla with a breaker bar in hand! I insist on close supervision of such neanderthals, even though most shops have signs all over the place about insurance reg's and all that. If you can be sure that no needless damage will be inflicted, the procedures are not all that complex--usually just messy as someone else mentioned. Also, disposing of used oil, coolant, and cleaning supplies is something to consider--shops can handle it alot easier than most of us can or want to...
There's a great Mechanic in N. Fla (Steve with OMEGA) I've fixed a few things and i thank you all for your suggestions but i'm just gonna have steve do it along with an aligngment . Oil and gearbox i'll do but this one i'm leaving to the pros. Thanks again.
Steve, This is a very neat and effective idea. After many years of doing these messy flushes, I never considered this approach. I guess I just like making a mess, but will embrace your method in the very near future. Thanks for sharing! Regards, David
As I said before, I live in the country & just pour the used oil & antifreeze along the fence line.. Helps keep the weeds from growing up around the fence.. Makes it look trimmed around the posts without the hassle of "trimming" & you get rid of your used oil etc...
