Degraded coolant causes internal corrosion, clogs heater cores, and accelerates water pump seal wear. For Kenmore drivers on SR-522 and the Lake Washington loop routes, Tom's B&M Auto flushes cooling systems with the manufacturer-specified coolant type — Toyota pink, Subaru blue, Honda type 2, or OAT green depending on your vehicle. Using the wrong coolant type damages the system it's meant to protect.
Cooling system pressure test before flush — we identify any existing leaks at the radiator, hoses, water pump weep hole, or heater core before draining. Freeze protection tested with refractometer.
System flushed with clean water to remove scale and old coolant residue. Refilled with manufacturer-specified coolant type at correct concentration. Radiator cap pressure tested.
Air bled from system. Post-flush temperature gauge check to confirm thermostat is opening correctly. Cooling system flush typically takes about 1 hour.
Coolant type compatibility is critical and frequently ignored. Toyota Long Life coolant and generic green antifreeze are both ethylene glycol, but mixing them causes a gel reaction that clogs narrow heater core passages. We've rodded out heater cores from vehicles where the previous shop used the wrong coolant. We don't make that mistake.
The radiator cap is a pressure relief valve — if it's releasing below spec, your coolant boils at a lower temperature and causes overheating on warm days. We test every cap during a cooling system service and replace them when they're below spec. A $12 part that prevents a $1,500 overheating repair.
Toyota, Subaru, Honda, OAT, HOAT — manufacturer-specified, not universal green.
Leak check before flush, cap pressure test after. No surprises.
Cooling system flush typically completed in about an hour.
Cooling system flush includes pressure test for leaks, freeze protection measurement, system drain and flush with clean water, manufacturer-specified coolant refill at correct concentration, radiator cap pressure test, and thermostat function verification.
From Tom's B&M Auto - serving Kenmore and the greater Seattle metro.
Tom's B&M Auto · 17820 Hwy 99, Suite E, Lynnwood · Serving greater Seattle
Also serving: Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline, Mukilteo, Kenmore, Alderwood Manor