Drain the block - it holds half the coolant and is usually easy to drain.

Then the 10 step method is cut down to 5 or 6 and a lot less time is wasted.

If block is not easy to drain - then use the 10 step method with one variation.

Pull t-stat first - then reconnect hose with t-stat cover back in place. Now water flows makes a bigger circle cutting 10 steps down to 7 or 8.

Do this also with the drain-the block approach.

As of yet I still have not changed it -- and might not get the chance until this weekend.

Nonetheless, despite the hot weather in VA and the stop & go traffic of my daily commute with A/C on full blast, the detergent mix is doing an astoundingly good job of keeping coolant temps below 100. I am frankly amazed and will leave some soap in when I flush/refill the system.

It breaks the surface tension of water, apparently allowing it behave in a "wetter" manner. It also holds fine contaminants in suspension, rather than letting them settle.

An illustration I recall is pouring water onto dry soil and watching it bead and not be absorbed -- because surface tension prevented it. Soapy water, conversely, was absorbed straight away.

Filtered water but not distilled? Was prepared to do distilled as usual, but will do filters if that is preferred.

There was some oil residue from a small leak last year, and I imagine it will take a long time to clean it all out. But before the next flush I will try the bilge cleaner.

No worries; LA Awesome is just a mild soap. Not even toxic. Just remarkably good at cutting grease.

I still advise you of not doing it. You are enjoying the surfactant properties of the detergent, but unfortunately detergents have other properties as well. On is alkalinity, which will harm your system in the long term.

What about pump lubrication?

Pump lubricants are simply water soluble oils. They won't hurt, but they're not all that beneficial either.

If you need a surfactant, I believe Water Wetter is the product.