"1998 Subaru Legacy Outback: Proper Way To Do Radiator Flush"

I own an 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback that does not have a single problem. I am going to do a radiator flush myself this time and there is too much different information.

1. Haynes manual says that I have to remove engine block drain plugs when draining the old coolant, the manual that came with the car doesn’t say anything about it.
2. Since its an older car, do I need to use any “Super Flushes”?
3. Should I use the “Prestone Flush n Fill”?

1998 Subaru Legacy Outback Rear View

Whats the smartest way to do it considering the age of the car? I’m using the Subaru genuine coolant just to be safe.

Answer:

1. Disconnect radiator hoses and heaters hoses, take garden hose, run fresh water through radiator and heater core until clear water runs out.
2. Allow excess water to drain out, reconnect all hoses properly.
3. Refill radiator cooling system with proper fluid mix.

Sounds easy enough right?

CAUTION:

1. Disconnecting heater core hoses.. can cause heater to start leaking at connection where hose nipple connects to heater core body.. [especially on 12 year old heater cores]
2. Aluminum blocks require special antifreeze.. or they will corrode holes and cracks into aluminum blocks.
3. If you have air pockets left over in your cooling system.. you can drastically overheat that Subaru engine causing damage before you get a chance to burp all the air out of the cooling system, refilling it as it idles.
4. If the environmentalists see you flowing coolant down the driveway, into the sewer drains et cetera.. they can have a cow skittering down their legs about it. [antifreeze is not very environmentally friendly at all...] Does this help any?