Have a 2.4L and it's time to change/flush the coolant/antifreeze.

1.How do I take off the splash shield underneath the radiator? How many clips or screws are there or do I just have to yank on it?

2. Does the rad drain from the left or right or both sides

3. Do I need to flush and refill with distilled/purified water or can I use tap water or brita filtered water?

4. Where is the water pump located in case I want to drain from there as well to drain it more completely?

Thanks in advance

 

1. There's a bunch of clips and 7mm bolts holding the splash guard on. If it doesn't come right off, you missed something. Keep looking.

2. I drained my radiator from the lower passenger side...there's a stopcock there that drains the whole thing.

3. I used tap water and I haven't had any problems.

4. The water pump is between the engine block and the firewall slightly to the passenger side. It's pretty much the only pump looking device on that side of the car, and it has a single drain plug on the bottom. If you need a picture, let me know and I'll see what I can dig up for you.

 

Do those clips just pull out? They seemed to be pretty stuck on there

 

Yes, they pop out. You'll probably need a flat head screw driver and/or needlenose pliers. The bolts are 7mm.

 

drain the system fill it with water and then run it for a few cycles and then drain it again if your that worried bout getting the system that clean, taking anything apart on the water pump is pointless unless your going to replace your t stat too. buut the pump is in the back on the pass side, follow the water tube in the back under the header. you can use tap water to fill it back up with coolant or distilled water.

 

Ok, i think i'm missing something. I went at it and I ran into some trouble...The middle splash shield that is right under the radiator is what is supposed to come off right? It seems like its permanently connected to between the radiator support arm and drainage valve.
Or am I taking off the whole right side shield that goes up into the wheel well too?

 

The right side shield that goes up into the wheel well.

And there's a drain plug on the bottom of the water pump. You can drain more out at once so you don't have to run as many cycles.

 

Oh, I thought that the whole wheel well thing just seemed like too much work when it looks like all that needs to come off is that tiny little plastic guard under the radiator lol. thx