vikingpilot

Planning to flush my coolant, and installing a new low tem thermostat.

Maybe a silly question but does it help to lift the front of the car when I drain the coolant, or
is the only way to drain the radiator coolant by removing the clamps for the supply and return hoses under
the car.

Thanks.....

Hindsight2010

The only way to drain it all is to disconnect multiple hoses. remove the front, middle, and rear belly pans. You'll need to disconnect 2 hoses for the heater core, 2 for the radiator, and then drain from the thermostat housing too.

See figure 2 here: https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...lant_Flush.htm

I just did it a couple weeks ago. It's a messy job. Ensure you replace the big rubber o-rings for the coolant hoses that have metal ends, and lubricate them with silicone lubricant.

vikingpilot

Thanks Hindsight....

Did you use Porsche coolant or the Zerex G-40.

Hindsight2010

Porsche OEM. I bought it from Pelican. Supposedly the car takes 8 gallons total, and it isn't cheap but you mix it 50/50 with distilled water so it means you need to buy 4 gallons. Having said that, despite a complete drain and using a coolant vacuum lift pump to re-fill the system, I only used a total of 6 gallons of 50/50 mix. However, I haven't yet warmed the car up to operating temp so there is a small chance it might take another gallon or two if needs to burp. Generally they don't need burping after using a lift pump though.

Petza914

I would just replace what comes out after dropping the thermostat housing and what's in the reservoir. If it's a 997.1, you'll be replacing the water pump every 60k miles or so and replacing enough of the coolant with that process to keep it fresh enough as the Porsche coolant is long life.

Bruce In Philly

2009 C2S 157K miles

There may be an alternative way of draining the whole system..... I read years ago, that someone figured out a way to pull a coolant line from the coolant tank, or one near the top of the engine (?) (have the drain plug under the engine removed), and blow into the line to push out the fluid.

Anyone try this or know of the write up?

Peace
Bruce in Philly

markmark26

Unless you totally drain, even when you vacuum you will have to add coolant after engine warms up. Just did it 2 weeks ago.

linderpat

That's good advice Pete, but is it then critical to make sure you use the same coolant brand as what is in there now and each time going forward? This could be an issue if you don't know if the coolant was changed before, and if so, to what.

Petza914

Absolutely true. If the coolant is pink, it's likely Porsche OEM coolant, and that's all I use in my 997 and Cayenne. If mileage is below 60k,tjr water pump and coolant tank have likely never been changed so everything is probably all original. If service records show a water pump replacement, then you need to verify before refilling.

Hindsight2010

I did a full drain - at the front radiator hoses, heater core hoses, engine, and rear hoses that go all the way up to the radiator. Still only took 6 gallons, but yeah I don't know yet if it will need more when warm because I still haven't warmed it up yet. Trying to wrap up the suspension mods first.

Sneaky Pete

This is the best DIY instructions I have seen.....and used. Works like a charm.

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...pump-tips.html

Bruce In Philly

So what about the UView Airlift units.... which one? Or cheaper better one?

I've been threatening to do this on my 2009 C2S 157K miles for 70K miles or so.

for $112.50
or
for $92.32

Peace
Bruce in Philly

VT Blue

@Bruce In Philly, just a heads up that neither of your links were working for me. The top one went to eBay and jack stands, and the bottom one to Walmart with a 404.

Thx!

Bob

Hindsight2010

@Bruce In Philly I have the 550500 and can't complain. I run it off a cheap $150 Harbor Freight 21 gallon air compressor (you wouldn't want any less than that though - pancake compressor won't cut it), and it pulls the required vacuum quickly. The only "issue" I find with it is that the cone shaped rubber snubber that you wedge into the coolant expansion tank opening seems to shed a bit - like when you touch it with your hand, your hand gets black. Not sure what kind of rubber it is that causes that but it hasn't caused a problem and I've owned it and used it for 6 years or so now. Actually just used it two weeks ago when I did my flush. Performed flawlessly.

markmark26

I have 550000 and worked perfectly.