Radiator coolant [powerflush] flush—harmful?

[Google]

The last time I had the dealer perform a "power radiator" coolant flush, a few months later my thermostat seized and was stuck in the "open" position. It was a costly repair. I can't help wonder if it had anything to do with the "power flush" versus the drain and fill method. FWIW, I can't do this myself as my apartment won't allow any vehicle maintenance and I'm not physically able to do it myself either. I have to pay a shop to do that, whether it's the dealer or someone else like Midas or Goodyear.

[G ~ MINI]

A radiator flush product like a Liqui Moly radiator cleaner https://products.liqui-moly.com/radiator-cleaner-7.html
is to dissolve deposits and descale and unblock blockages in the heat exchanger / thermo .

Depending your location
You reach out to Jimmy at Street Performance (markham)
or Raymond at Gilman Auto (scars)

[Google]

I was at the dealer last week for another issue and I was talking to one of the mechanics/technicians. He recommended a power coolant flush and they have been using a good machine for a while now that also comes with a warranty should there be any issues as a result of the coolant flush such as thermostat sticking and what not.

I can't recall the name of the machine but it's also used for ATF too. But stupid me entered the name of the machine on my iPhone and for whatever reason, it wasn't saved so I can't recall the name. The tech recommended doing the power flush over just draining and filling especially in older vehicles. He also said that if I want to go to another shop, ensure they use this machine. Argh.

[Google]

Just an update. The dealer recommends using Terraclean chemicals which provides them the machine.

[TheMAN]

The dealer "recommends" because they make a lot of money doing this. Mazda nor any other manufacturer don't recommend any flushing. Don't confuse the two as the same.

[Google]

The dealer "recommends" because they make a lot of money doing this. Mazda nor any other manufacturer don't recommend any flushing. Don't confuse the two as the same.

Mazda recommends coolant changes though. How it's performed is not stipulated. And from my research, indy mechanics will charge more for doing a manual (drain and fill) flush versus a powerflush with a machine.

[TheMAN]

You're so funny... the shop manual says exactly what to do to change the coolant, which is just simply drain and fill... if flushing was OK, it would've said so and what procedure/machine to use... so it's not... if it doesn't say in the shop manual, it's not a recommended or approved procedure.... this isn't like dealing with law where can do and cannot do are explicitly stated... whereas when dealing with cars, anything not mentioned implicitly implies it's not recommend nor required nor approved