cooling system flush

Im going to change the radiator on my GTI tommorow and thought i might aswell flush the cooling system while im at it.any advice as to how i should do this would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunatly i dont have access to a hose pipe so its going to have to be buckets of water! I used some wyns rad flush on a frends astra a couple of years ago and it worked a treat.Not sure its such a good idea on a twenty three year old car, im sure someone could enlighten me

Thanks

Take the rad out and flush it both ends until clear water comes through.

Can you put it under your bath taps or take it into the shower?

"Flush and Go" stylee

Cheers
Rajan

I had some oil turn up in my coolant when I had my thermostat changed at the garage, think they must have used contaminated coolant or disturbed some gunk left in the rad from the old engine?

Anyway, I used traffic film remover! The stuff they use to get the crap off of vans and stuff. It dissolves oil but is designed to be kind to paint etc so it seemed safe to use.

Anyway, drained half of my coolant, retopped with Traffic Film Remover, ran engine till nice and hot then allow to cool, then drained amd refilled with readymix coolant.

If you live in an area with chalky water don't use normal tapwater unless you want your rad to look like the inside of my kettle, furry.

Notes.
Leave heater vent set to hot to flush the heater vent aswell.
Never drain fluid whilst hot, rapid cooling may damage the block.

Good luck.

Peter.

thanks for the advice, the coolant itself looks fine, as i only changed it about six weeks ago when i replaced the bypass hose and the thermostat. just thought id give it a good going over as im changing the rad and afew of the other hoses.I only use de-ionised water as the area im in has hard water.think ill just run it for a week or two and then replace the coolant again.talking of which what is the correct anti freeze to use and in what ratio? i think the haynes suggests 35/65 is this correct?.I did use the esso ready mixed coolant,but this is going to be to expensive if i have to throw it away a week later!

Remind me to never share a bath with you Rajan

I've heard some people add some dishwasher powder to the cooling system as it doesnt foam and cleans the system well. I read someone did it after a head gasket failure to remove oil from the cooling system.

But I think this may be a bit harsh on the water pump etc, what do you think?