Question re: Coolant Vacuum Fill Tool

[Formerjeeper]

Hoping someone who uses one of this can weigh in - here's the type of tool I'm talking about: https://tinyurl.com/3x8jbyra

Say I first drain radiator and block drains (Toyota 4.7L) but there's still some coolant left in system - heater core, various hoses, etc. - I think there's about a gallon that usually won't drain.

When I pull a vacuum before refilling, does all of that fluid come spraying everywhere? Do I need a hose from the vacuum nozzle to a drain pan? And if yes, can this tool be used like a fluid extractor to just **** out all of the coolant before refilling?

Please educate me if I'm thinking about this wrong.

Thanks

 

[pbon]

I am curious as well. Will enough vacuum be required that it will just collapse hoses and block passage of coolant?

 

[charbar]

From experience with my AirLift......it depends.

Seems to me like it just depends on the vehicle and how/where the remaining coolant is sitting. Ive had times where it will push out straight coolant for a bit, times where I don't get a drop from it, or times where it will kind of spit/slobber (for lack of a better word) a bit of coolant out of the hose. I usually always make sure I have the hose stuck in a container and secured so the hose doesn't go whipping around and spew coolant all over when air is applied.....just in case

 

[Formerjeeper]

Yep I definitely didn't want to unexpectedly have coolant spraying everywhere.

 

[BmwTechZiggy]

ive never had mine **** straight coolant out. it will spit and sputter depending on how full system is but never had it **** straight coolant out before. i have the cornwell version

 

[kbeefy]

I have the MAC one, it works as described above. Spits and sputters. I have had instances where it leaves coolant in.
I never tried to use it for evacuation, I usually use a mightyvac for that.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I do a double rinse with fresh water. Fill. Drive until hot. Drain what is in the radiator. Drive until hot. Drain what in the radiator. Fill 100% coolant. Drive. Let it cool. Check strength and top off.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Hoping someone who uses one of this can weigh in - here's the type of tool I'm talking about: https://tinyurl.com/3x8jbyra

Say I first drain radiator and block drains (Toyota 4.7L) but there's still some coolant left in system - heater core, various hoses, etc. - I think there's about a gallon that usually won't drain.

When I pull a vacuum before refilling, does all of that fluid come spraying everywhere? Do I need a hose from the vacuum nozzle to a drain pan? And if yes, can this tool be used like a fluid extractor to just **** out all of the coolant before refilling?

Please educate me if I'm thinking about this wrong.

Thanks

If vacuum refilling, the discharge line the compressed air flows out of will spit mist and a haze out. Stick it in a bottle, or deflect it with a gloved hand. I fill out of a 5 gallon bucket, so i hold it against the rim and diffuse some of the BS.

Dont worry about what's left in the block and whatnot. Change the coolant again in 5 years. You'll be fine.

 

[bonneyman]

When I had my Toyota 22R pickup I was told it was really hard to bleed all the air out of it. There was always some left in the heater core, as mechanics told me. They said they drive the truck up onto stands to raise the front end enough so it's the high point in the system, and can get the air out. Just wondering if one were to reverse that procedure to drain out the coolant form the heater (Raise the rear of the truck). Just guessing.

 

[GCS]

I have the Snap on RadKit vacuum filler.

I was hesitant to purchase one for the longest time thinking the tool was a gimmick or not needed.

One of the best tool purchases I have ever made. I wish I had bought one years ago.

No need to put a vehicle on ramps or nose down to bleed air in the system.
Perfect fill EVERY time.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have the Snap on RadKit vacuum filler.

I was hesitant to purchase one for the longest time thinking the tool was a gimmick or not needed.

One of the best tool purchases I have ever made. I wish I had bought one years ago.

No need to put a vehicle on ramps or nose down to bleed air in the system.
Perfect fill EVERY time.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Vac, fill, adjust if needed, park it. A glorious tool, saves so much time.

 

[ChefRex]

I have a container with a hole in the lid just big enough for the hose, great tool!

 

[signcrafter]

I do a double rinse with fresh water. Fill. Drive until hot. Drain what is in the radiator. Drive until hot. Drain what in the radiator. Fill 100% coolant. Drive. Let it cool. Check strength and top off.

OP asked questions about vacuum filling cooling system.

I love my coolant filler. I waited years to get one and just used my spill free funnel. Which works decent. Even after buying the vacuum filler I would just use the funnel instead of getting the vacuum filler and air hose and everything set up. Seemed like more work then it was worth. Until I kind of forced myself to start using it to fill everything. Now that is all I use. I keep a clean 5 gallon bucket just for coolant. Dump coolant in bucket while vacuuming down system and then flip the switch and done.

When vacuuming it will spit and sputter a bit but nothing crazy. It's not going to be spraying coolant all over your garage. I use spring clamps clamped to the buckets rim to hold the hoses in the bucket.

 

[Legion Prime]

I knew I had to have one the moment I saw one. They are such a huge timesaver and I never had to buy coolant. I'd just keep a 5 gal bucket for coolant, parts gives me 2 bottles of coolant, I dump them in, refill with water, dump them in again and pitch the jugs. The car only takes 3 gal? Awesome, next car same thing. I did enough cars I took home a free gallon of antifreeze every month or two and I never sent out a car that didn't have the proper 50/50 mix. I also didn't have to do the long test drives, jacking the car up, shaking the car, jumping up an down on the bumper to get the air out, the vacuum pump had done that already. Almost makes me miss working on cars. LOL

ETA: Here, I cleaned up that tinyurl so it doesn't make my adblocker go *******.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BW39HJS/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Hey would you look at that? It's not much longer than the tinyurl was, or at least it wasn't until GJ added the atomicindus tag.

 

[corn chip]

I do a double rinse with fresh water. Fill. Drive until hot. Drain what is in the radiator. Drive until hot. Drain what in the radiator. Fill 100% coolant. Drive. Let it cool. Check strength and top off.

i would ask why but frankly i dont even want to know as it certainly wouldnt be a logical answer. incase you care to cut your labor time from 6hrs to 10min , ill let you borrow my airlift