Has anyone used this tutorial (http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/fbody/coolant.htm) to flush their coolant system. I've read shoebox's tutorial, but due to space and potential mess constraints, it seems like the tutorial above is easier and less messy.

Has anyone tried this method and had good results?

 

Here's how I've always done it.

1. Remove the radiator cap, put a catch pan under the radiator drain plug and open the drain plug.

2. Wait for the coolant to finish draining out, then close the drain plug. Mix up some 50/50 water/coolant mix while you're waiting on it to drain completely.

3. Open both bleeder screws and put a couple of towels over the opti to keep it dry.

4. Get your coolant jug in your left hand and a screwdriver in your right hand.

5. Start filling the radiator slowly and watch the bleeder screw on the water pump neck. When you see coolant start to come out (not a dribble, a stream), stop filling and shut that bleeder screw.

6. Continue filling and watch the bleeder screw on the upper hose. It helps if you push it down a bit to get it below the radiator neck so it can fill completely. When you see coolant coming out of that one, stop filling and close the bleeder screw.

7. Check the coolant level in the overflow tank to make sure it's where it needs to be. You can siphon it out and refill it with new coolant if you want. I never screwed with it and never had problems.

7(a). No electric water pump? A buddy will make this easier. Start the car and keep an eye on the coolant level in the radiator. Let the engine warm up a bit (few minutes), and keep the radiator topped off. Now, have your buddy rev the engine to 2000-2500 RPM or so and hold it there. You'll notice the coolant level dropping, and you'll see a thin stream of coolant coming back into the radiator from the return line, possibly with a few air bubbles interrupting the stream. Top the radiator off, and put the radiator cap back on before telling your buddy to let off (if you let off before the cap is back on, you'll have coolant all over the place).

*You can do this by yourself, by opening the throttle blades with your right hand while filling the radiator with your left, but it's a pain. It's a lot easier with someone else helping you.

7(b). If you have an electric water pump, this part is easy. Key up your ignition to get the water pump running. Keep adding coolant to the radiator to keep it topped off and watch the stream coming in to make sure it's steady. Once you stop seeing air bubbles (about 3-5 minutes), put the radiator cap back on.

8. Let the car warm up and idle long enough to get hot and kick the fans on (keep an eye on the temp gauge while you're waiting), then shut it off and check the radiator (after it cools) and the overflow tank. All fluid levels good? Temperature look good while it was running? All done!

I've done mine both ways and I've never had issues doing it either way. The electric water pump definitely makes things easier, but it's not hard at all with a stock pump. Having a buddy helping will make things easier though. Also, this isn't really a "flush and fill" so much as it is "dump out the old crap and dilute what's left with new". I've never noticed any problems with leaving some of the old coolant in there...it's not enough to worry about.