installing samco rad. hoses

[Pig STi]

do i need to do a coolant flush after installing them? Or can i just add water or something.

[deadbeatdude]

it would be wise to flush to make sure no debri gets in there but you dont really have too. all i did was refill the coolant level back to norm

[ScoobyNubieToo!]

Yeah I did this real quick on my lift a couple of months ago....it's a dirty job so where so clothes ya wouldn't mind throwing out afterwards. I bought SOA coolant, coolant additive, and deionized water when I did my hoses.

[captainhook]

Great question! I've been curious about the exact same thing for a month or so now but was too lazy to ask. How much fluid did you lose ScoobyNubieToo???

[Pig STi]

i'm going to see what happens if i lose too much fluid i'll flush it but if not im gonna just add some coolant like said above... The STi isn't my daily so i could let it sit if i need to flush it and pick up the coolant quick at Faulkner Subaru

[Pig STi]

I might install the top hose today because i doubt anything would come out of that one.

[WKderF]

I just recently did this and I can tell you that you will lose the majority of your coolant by changing both hoses. your best bet is to drain it completly, and fill with a new 50/50 mix of Subaru coolant, and distilled water. its VERY important to use subaru coolant, and it is highly reccomended to use distilled water which you can buy at any supermarket.

on the passenger side of the radiator at the bottom, there is a valve which will drain the system.

drain it completly, while the engine is cool.

replace the hoses making sure there is clearance between the upper hose and the radiator fans (this is why I had to replace mine)

fill the system NOT from the cap on top of the radiator, but from the small tank in front of the turbo, on the passenger side of the intake manifold. you can remove the cap on the radiator to get rid of the air pocket, but once the fluid reaches the top you will need to recap it, and there is still more fluid to add at the other reservoir.

you will need to "burp" the system, meaning once you fill the fluid to the top, you need to start the car & let it warm up. the thermostat will open, and you will need to add more coolant. top it off once again & then you are all set!

[Pig STi]

do i top it off after i turn the car back off or while its running? And also, do i dump the whole bottle of 50/50 coolant in and a whole gallon of distilled water?

[RyanG]

here is how we do it.

both upper and lower rad caps OFF.
Funnel water/coolant mix into rad untill full.
top off coolant tank on manifold
cap off rad
start car
let car warm up
keep adding coolant to upper tank untill full
rad fans should turn on
when rad fans turn on have someone rev the car (if DBW) to bring fluid level down in upper tank then replace cap.

We never EVER have an air problem doing it this way.

some coolant will spill out of upper tank just rinse off with water.

50/50 mix of water/coolant.. not 50/50+ more water.

[captainhook]

Originally Posted by AREA1320

here is how we do it.

both upper and lower rad caps OFF.
Funnel water/coolant mix into rad untill full.
top off coolant tank on manifold
cap off rad
start car
let car warm up
keep adding coolant to upper tank untill full
rad fans should turn on
when rad fans turn on have someone rev the car (if DBW) to bring fluid level down in upper tank then replace cap.

We never EVER have an air problem doing it this way.

some coolant will spill out of upper tank just rinse off with water.

50/50 mix of water/coolant.. not 50/50+ more water.

Lol, and there we have it from a pro. How long does it typically take you to do the whole process Ryan?

[RyanG]

to change hoses?

about 45mins to an hour said and done.. I dont use that stupid petcock valve either.. I just pop the lower hose off and let it drain.

[Pig STi]

Originally Posted by AREA1320

to change hoses?

about 45mins to an hour said and done.. I dont use that stupid petcock valve either.. I just pop the lower hose off and let it drain.

sweet deal, i'll be following your steps for this since you're a pro haha. Btw...do you guys do alignments? I pm'd you a few weeks ago about it. I'm going to need one after i install my RCE's saturday. R/T Tuning is too damn far for me to go

[Pig STi]

im going to faulkner subaru tomorrow morning to get the 50/50 coolant. It's $30.50... BUT Ryan, if you guys have it at the shop by dumb luck let me know. I'd rather buy the bottle from you guys.

[RyanG]

I do keep it here.. I use the 100% stuff.. but it is $$$$$$ buy it from the dealer.
We don't do alignments but there is a shop down the street who we have had great luck with for the guys who dont want to make the trip to R/T

[ScoobyNubieToo!]

Originally Posted by captainhook

Great question! I've been curious about the exact same thing for a month or so now but was too lazy to ask. How much fluid did you lose ScoobyNubieToo???

LOL! Almost all of it! That's why I said use crappy clothes as you'll be wearing most of the coolant when done.

[ScoobyNubieToo!]

Originally Posted by AREA1320

I do keep it here.. I use the 100% stuff.. but it is $$$$$$ buy it from the dealer.
We don't do alignments but there is a shop down the street who we have had great luck with for the guys who dont want to make the trip to R/T

Ryan, what's your opinion on the SOA coolant additive? The dealer had suggested I pick that up as well when I did the work. I used that also. If you don't use the 50/50 and decide to use straight coolant....DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT dilute with tap water....that crap will ruin your radiator. Use distilled or deionized water.

[Pig STi]

Also, Ryan what is the name of the garage near you guys so i can look it up and give them a call for an alignment.

[JET02WRX]

There were a couple of huge threads on this on clubwrx and nasioc last year. It was my understanding that the theory that you must use the subaru coolant was bs. As long as you buy a 50/50 premix that is certified "silicate and phosphate free coolant", you are fine. Thats what used in '05 when I did my hoses on my '02.... Now 2009 and have had zero problems.

[Pig STi]

UPDATE:

I took the oem hoses off....wow coolant went everywhere... My carpet in the garage is crap so i don't care about that. Then i installed the Samcos. I'll head to Faulkner for the coolant in a bit then get back to you guys.

[RyanG]

Originally Posted by ScoobyNubieToo!

Ryan, what's your opinion on the SOA coolant additive? The dealer had suggested I pick that up as well when I did the work. I used that also. If you don't use the 50/50 and decide to use straight coolant....DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT dilute with tap water....that crap will ruin your radiator. Use distilled or deionized water.

I put the conditioner in if the customer requests it. That stuff is just "Bars leak" anyway.


Josh- The place is called http://www.i-a-s.net/