best way to drain coolant?

[iSailor]

I am replacing all the cooling hoses on the M-25xpb. After 12 years there are several minor cracks/leaks in the hoses.

Any easy way to drain the system without making a huge mess? What about dealing with the water heater? Does/will that need to be drained too?(not completely sure off that system works).

Any tips are appreciated.
Thansk,
Matt

 

[Stu Jackson]

Matt, try this: Engine Overheating 101 - How to Burp Your Engine (Reply #6) http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4518.msg26462.html#msg26462

Yes, you need to drain your heater, too, although with the little amount of coolant in that line, you could just leave it. I do.

We have TONS of M25 series engine information on our C34 website, look around on the message board and click on the C34 Tech wiki link and read the engine section.

 

[iSailor]

thanks Stu.

 

[Imbbeamer]

What is the best coolant to refill the system with after draining?

 

[Stu Jackson]

I buy the environmentally safe stuff at an auto store. $18, NOT pre mixed. It's worth the few extra $$. Lasts a long time anyway...$6 a year maybe.

 

[iSailor]

should it be a 50/50 mix with distilled water?

BTW, the coolant at West Marine was $25 a gal.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Yes. RTFM ( or container). It was for the stuff I bought. Distilled? Yup.

WM - nope! Not for THIS kinda stuff. ACE Hardware and NAPA are my favorite marine stores.