Flushing the radiator in your 1987 Z28 Camaro can remove the built-up engine-damaging calcium, grime and rust deposits found on the bottom of your radiator. These contaminants can clog the honeycomb-shaped water chambers and lead to engine overheating. Over time they will flow into the engine block and cause costly engine damage. Performing a radiator flush on your Camaro will remove the majority of these deposits and extend the life of your vehicle's engine.
Tools Used: Crescent wrench, Socket wrench, 11 oz. radiator flush, Antifreeze coolant, 2 gallons distilled water, Drain pan recycling container, 5-gallon bucket, Garden hose, Floor jack, Jack stands
Flush a Radiator
Park the car on a level surface and brace the rear wheels with wheel chocks for added safety. Raise the front end, using the floor jack, and safely lower the car onto the jack stands.
Put on your safety glasses and rubber gloves, and then open the hood. Remove the radiator fill cap by hand to release the pressure in the cooling system and hoses. Disconnect the negative battery cable, using a crescent wrench.
Place the recycling drain pan directly underneath the radiator drain plug, located on the bottom-right of the radiator when facing the engine.
Remove the radiator drain plug by turning it counterclockwise, using the socket wrench. Drain the entire radiator of antifreeze and move the recycling container aside. Reinsert and tighten the drain plug.
Pour the entire bottle of radiator flush into the radiator and fill the radiator halfway with water, using your garden hose. Start the engine and allow it to idle for a few minutes. Turn off the engine. Allow the engine to cool again before continuing to the next step.
Place the empty 5-gallon bucket underneath the drain plug and remove the drain plug to drain the radiator again. The bucket is used in place of the recycling container, because you may run out of room for the additional flushed water. Transfer this flushed water into the recycling container and close it securely.
Reconnect the negative battery cable. Insert the water hose into the radiator fill opening and turn on the water. Restart the engine and allow it to flush for several minutes. This second flush of water shouldn't be very contaminated, but use your best judgment and capture it in the 5-gallon bucket as necessary.
Turn off the engine and remove the hose. Turn off the water, reinsert and tighten the radiator drain. Raise the Camaro, using the floor jack, safely remove the jack stands and safely lower the car to the ground.
Reconnect the battery and start the engine again. Allow it to idle while filling it with a 50-50 mixture of replacement antifreeze and distilled water. Continue idling for several more minutes with the radiator cap off to bleed out any trapped air within the cooling system. Replace the radiator cap by hand and check for leaking at the drain plug.
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