Coolant flush - Ok to run without thermostat?

[gcretro]

I plan to change/flush coolant on my 04 Neon this weekend.

I got the Napa super flush additive. So the process is:
1. Drain, add that flush,
2. Fill with water (i'll use distilled),
3. Says run for 10- to 20 mins with heat on high.
4. Then open radiator drain, stick a garden hose with water running, idle the motor, till I see clear water.

My question is: Can I remove the T-State at the beginning? Why wait for it to open?

Or am I messing up by removing the T-stat and running for the 10 to 20 min period? (and I am going to change the t-stat too)

[occasional demons]

Is there a drain plug on the engine block? to get rid of the coolant trapped in there when doing a flush?.

There is, but it will not be easy to access. It is in the back of the block, under the exhaust manifold. Let's just say, it is more or less not worth the effort to get to.
Just add a touch more ethylene glycol to make up for the water you can't drain from the block.

Also don't forget to remove and clean any sludge from the overflow/recovery tank.


Edit: Also, leave the t'stat in for the flush. It needs to be hot to do it's thing. Prestone Super Cleaner is actually a better choice, but it needs 10 hours of drive time, so not the best for winter climates. But it will actually do something, unlike the 30 minute flush.

[gcretro]

Oops Thx. That was in the response to my earlier post on block drain.