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Replacing radiator and thermostat in 2008 kia spectra

6K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  SilverSpook 
#1 ·
Hi, I have watched a few videos but I was wondering if anyone had a link to specific information or general advice. I can't spill any coolant since we have dogs.

Thanks,

Tim
 
#2 ·
Kind of hard NOT to spill a "drop" when doing a radiator drain and replacing a radiator. suggest you look for a fairly shallow and dimensionally big enough panto slide under the radiator and motor.
 
#3 · (Edited)
The two best tools I can recommend are the Lisle coolant funnel set and the cheap grey Flotool drain pan. Links to the respective items below. The coolant funnel set should work for most cars today. I've used it on my spectra, and I loved it. You can go through the entire fill and bleed process with this funnel in place of your radiator cap. I will say that the cheap replacement radiator I bought made the tool a little more difficult to use, and even required modification. That was because the casting of the radiator prevented the tool from sealing. No big deal, and hopefully you wont have that problem. If you do, let us know and I can guide you. Regardless, the drain pan is wide and open. It is big enough and should help prevent any spills. It's also cheap!

In regards to your dogs' safety: It is very smart to consider them as they can be attracted to the coolant. The minimum lethal dosage of undiluted ethylene glycol is 4.4 mL per kilogram of bodyweight. A 5 lb dog would have to consume 10mL of concentrate to be toxic. A 40 lb dog would need to consume 80mL of concentrate. If you are only using 50/50 prediluted, the toxic dosage would be double those numbers - 20mL and 160 mL respectively. My point is that even if you spill, a significant amount would need to be standing on the concrete to be a risk. If any spills, simply clean or break it down by spraying it with rubbing alcohol or a degreaser. Then just rinse it away with the hose. The water alone should change the concentration to something non-lethal. Once the water evaporates, the remaining dried ethylene glycol breaks down within a couple days.

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-24680-Spill-Free-Funnel/dp/B00A6AS6LY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493531269&sr=8-1&keywords=lisle+coolant+funnel

FloTool Oil drain 11845BLKMI - Read 3 Reviews on FloTool #11845BLKMI
 
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