Has anyone flushed their own cooling system, is it something we can do ourselves or do we need a professional machine to do it?

Directions and advice would be appreaciated.

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2006 Liberty Limited CRD, Deep Beryl Green, Yeti tune, Arp studs, new cams, rockers, lifters, TB. "Green Monster"
2005 Liberty Sport CRD, Deep Beryl Green, GDE Hot Tune, ARP studs. "Rocket"
1982 Fiat 124 Spider Convertible. "Fiona"

Pretty straightforward. On a cold engine, open draincock. The book say put a hose on it so you can recycle the fluid. The fluid will come out of the reserve/overflow tank. When it is empty, open radiator cap and continue draining. When done, tighten drain, and fill system. Drive for a while (1 hour) and that gets the air out. Check level in overflow tank. Add coolant as needed but only with a cold engine.

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2006 Sport CRD

Could the Aztecs have known, that in 2012 after a 4 year experiment, our country would cease to exist?

STANDARD PROCEDURE
DRAINING COOLING SYSTEM
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE CYLINDER
BLOCK DRAIN PLUGS (1) OR LOOSEN THE RADIATOR
DRAINCOCK WITH SYSTEM HOT AND
UNDER PRESSURE. SERIOUS BURNS FROM
COOLANT CAN OCCUR.
1. DO NOT remove radiator cap first. With engine
cold, raise vehicle on a hoist and locate radiator
draincock.
NOTE: Radiator draincock is located on the left/
lower side of radiator facing to rear of vehicle.
2. Attach one end of a hose to the draincock. Put the
other end into a clean container. Open draincock
and drain coolant from radiator. This will empty the
coolant reserve/overflow tank. The coolant does not
have to be removed from the tank unless the system
is being refilled with a fresh mixture. When
tank is empty, remove radiator cap and continue
draining cooling system.
REFILLING COOLING SYSTEM
1. Tighten the radiator draincock and the cylinder block drain plug(s) (if removed).
CAUTION: Failure to purge air from the cooling system can result in an overheating condition and severe
engine damage.
2. Fill cooling system with the antifreeze mixture (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/FLUID TYPES -
DESCRIPTION). Fill pressure bottle to service line and install cap.
NOTE: The engine cooling system will push any remaining air into the coolant bottle within about an hour
of normal driving. As a result, a drop in coolant level in the pressure bottle may occur. If the engine cooling
system overheats and pushes coolant into the overflow side of the coolant bottle, this coolant will be
sucked back into the cooling system ONLY IF THE PRESSURE CAP IS LEFT ON THE BOTTLE. Removing
the pressure cap breaks the vacuum path between the two bottle sections and the coolant will not return to
cooling system.
3. With heater control unit in the HEAT position, operate engine with pressure bottle cap in place.
4. Add coolant to pressure bottle as necessary. Only add coolant to the pressure bottle when the engine is
cold. Coolant level in a warm engine will be higher due to thermal expansion.
NOTE: The coolant bottle has two chambers. Coolant will normally only be in the outboard (larger) of the
two. The inboard chamber is only to recover coolant in the event of an overheat or after a recent service fill.
The inboard chamber should normally be empty. If there is coolant in the overflow side of the coolant bottle
(after several warm/cold cycles of the engine) and coolant level is above cold full when cold, disconnect the
end of the overflow hose at the fill neck and lower it into a clean container. Allow coolant to drain into the
container until emptied. Reconnect overflow hose to fill neck.
COOLING SYSTEM - REVERSE FLUSHING
CAUTION: The cooling system normally operates at 97-110 kPa (14-16 psi) pressure. Exceeding this pressure
may damage the radiator or hoses.
Reverse flushing of the cooling system is the forcing of water through the cooling system. This is done using air
pressure in the opposite direction of normal coolant flow. It is usually only necessary with very dirty systems with
evidence of partial plugging.
CHEMICAL CLEANING
If visual inspection indicates the formation of sludge or scaly deposits, use a radiator cleaner (Mopar T Radiator
Kleen or equivalent) before flushing. This will soften scale and other deposits and aid the flushing operation.
CAUTION: Be sure instructions on the container are followed.
REVERSE FLUSHING RADIATOR
Disconnect the radiator hoses from the radiator fittings. Attach a section of radiator hose to the radiator bottom
outlet fitting and insert the flushing gun. Connect a water supply hose and air supply hose to the flushing gun.
CAUTION: The cooling system normally operates at 97-110 kPa (14 -16 psi) pressure. Exceeding this pressure
may damage the radiator or hoses.
Allow the radiator to fill with water. When radiator is filled, apply air in short blasts allowing radiator to refill between
blasts. Continue this reverse flushing until clean water flows out through rear of radiator cooling tube passages. For
more information, refer to operating instructions supplied with flushing equipment. Have radiator cleaned more
extensively by a radiator repair shop.
REVERSE FLUSHING ENGINE
Drain the cooling system (Refer to 7 - COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE). Remove the thermostat housing
and thermostat. Install the thermostat housing. Disconnect the radiator upper hose from the radiator and attach the
flushing gun to the hose. Disconnect the radiator lower hose from the water pump. Attach a lead away hose to the
water pump inlet fitting.
CAUTION: Be sure that the heater control valve is closed (heat off). This is done to prevent coolant flow
with scale and other deposits from entering the heater core.
Connect the water supply hose and air supply hose to the flushing gun. Allow the engine to fill with water. When the
engine is filled, apply air in short blasts, allowing the system to fill between air blasts. Continue until clean water
flows through the lead away hose. For more information, refer to operating instructions supplied with flushing equipment.
Remove the lead away hose, flushing gun, water supply hose and air supply hose. Remove the thermostat housing
(Refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/ENGINE COOLANT THERMOSTAT - REMOVAL). Install the thermostat and housing
with a replacement gasket (Refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/ENGINE COOLANT THERMOSTAT - INSTALLATION).
Connect the radiator hoses. Refill the cooling system with the correct antifreeze/water mixture (Refer to 7 -
COOLING - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
INSPECTION
After performing a cleaning/flush procedure, inspect all hoses, clamps and connections for deterioration and leaks.
Inspect radiator and heater core for leaks.

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06 LIMITED 100000miles, MAGNAFLOW, HOMEBUILT CCV FILTER, POLAR PAD, 02 AIRBOX, CUMMINS LIFT PUMP, SEGR, PILLAR GAUGE POD, CAT FILTER MONITOR, SPYDER TRAX, ALWAYS A LITTLE TWO STROKE OIL OR BIO, WATER/METH INJECTION

I summarized.

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2006 Sport CRD

Could the Aztecs have known, that in 2012 after a 4 year experiment, our country would cease to exist?

Bleeding the air out is VERY important in a diesel, from the repair manual :

COOLING SYSTEM AERATION
Low coolant level in a cross flow radiator will equalize in both tanks with engine off. With engine running and at
operating temperature, the high pressure inlet tank runs full and the low pressure outlet tank drops, resulting in
cooling system aeration. Aeration will draw air into the water pump resulting in the following:
² High reading shown on the temperature gauge.
² Loss of coolant flow through the heater core.
² Corrosion in the cooling system.
² Water pump seal may run dry, increasing the risk of premature seal failure.
² Combustion gas leaks into the coolant can also cause aeration.

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06 LIMITED 100000miles, MAGNAFLOW, HOMEBUILT CCV FILTER, POLAR PAD, 02 AIRBOX, CUMMINS LIFT PUMP, SEGR, PILLAR GAUGE POD, CAT FILTER MONITOR, SPYDER TRAX, ALWAYS A LITTLE TWO STROKE OIL OR BIO, WATER/METH INJECTION

Not an issue if the radiator is filled during a change.

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2006 Sport CRD

Could the Aztecs have known, that in 2012 after a 4 year experiment, our country would cease to exist?