458 Coolant Flush | FerrariChat

458 Coolant Flush

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by Jaguar36, Jun 23, 2025.

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  1. Jaguar36

    Jaguar36 Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 8, 2010
    1,076
    Cherry Hill, NJ
    I'm replacing the coolant tank and doing a coolant flush on my 458. I'm trying to drain the coolant and have only been able to get about 2.5 gallons of out of it. I drained it from the front two rubber hoses that are right by the radiators, and also from the ones in the back right in front of the engine. I'd like to make sure I get all the coolant out since I'm not sure what was in there and don't want to have to worry that I'm mixing in compatible types if the previous shop put something different in there. I looked at the sticky and some of the previous threads on coolant flushes, but didn't see any more info. Is there any trick to get the rest of the coolant out?
     
  2. Snapshift

    Snapshift Formula Junior
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    May 31, 2020
    923
    Centralia IL
    Full Name:
    Lyle D. Pahnke
    looks like you got most all of it out, Probably can fill with distilled water and run it a bit then drain it all out and put if what your using. A vacuum coolant filler works great for this.
     
  3. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    6,890
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    I find the easiest way to tell diy is to use distilled water to refill the system and run for a few minutes and drain completely ..repeat until somewhat clear ..usually 4 to 6 times and then use full strength antifreeze for half of what is in the manual and top off with distilled water

    The part of using full strength is very imperative since there will be distilled water in the engine and all the different hoses so you want to put a full strength and a mix with the distilled water in the system
     
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  4. Challenge

    Challenge Formula 3

    Sep 27, 2002
    2,013
    PA
    Full Name:
    Kevin
    I prefer to mix 50:50 before anything goes in. This way I know then end ratio is right.
     
  5. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    6,890
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    You can't do that if you use pure distilled water to flush as the method

    There cooling system will have quite a bit of 100 percent water at that point and if you add 50/50 you will never get the 50/50 final ratio
     
    Snapshift and Challenge like this.
  6. Jaguar36

    Jaguar36 Formula 3
    Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 8, 2010
    1,076
    Cherry Hill, NJ
    Thanks flash, this is what I ended up doing. Was easy enough to do, but it took a few days with having to let it cool down after each run. Also now I have like 12 gallons of coolant to get rid of.
    The last time I measured how much I got out so I could figure out how much water was left in the system and use the appropriate amount of concentrate. Doesn’t really have to be that accurate anyway as the car will likely never see temps below freezing anyway.
    If anyone else soing this I found it easier to drain from the front (as per the workshop manual) than the back. I just shoved a plastic trim removal tool inbetween the hose and the aluminum tube to let it drain rather than fight with removing the hose each time.
     
    flash32 likes this.
  7. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    6,890
    Central NJ
    Full Name:
    Dominick
    Some states/ cities allow to flush it into city sewer
     

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