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Flush Radiator
I have a 1996 Miata 1.8 L. I have never flushed and refilled coolant
(myself), so i'm looking for some guidance. I have Haynes manual for my Miata. Instructions a 1. drain coolant thru radiator drain 2. loosen engine block drain plug and drain coolant thru there 3. flush system 4. drain overflow reservoir 5. close rad. drain and engine block drain 6. Place heater temp control in max heat position 7. slowly add coolant till radiator is full 8. run car with radiator cap off until thermostat opens 9. turn car off and let cool 10. add more coolant to radiator to fill to top 11. replace radiator cap and start engine 12. allow to reach operating temp & check system My questions: 1. in step 3 do you flush thru radiator drain or engine block drain, or both? 2. in step 6 what is the heater temp control? How do I place it in max heat position? 3. what do they mean by step 8 - run until thermostat opens? 4. are there any other important steps I am missing? thanks for any help Brian White |
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#2
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Flush Radiator
Brian,
Before addressing any of your notes, just a reminder to use the right type of coolant (I believe as long as it's the florescent yellow / green you're ok) with the right mixture of water. I strongly believe in using distilled water instead of tap water, generally it's a 50 / 50 ratio but on the container it'll describe it based on your expected temperatures outside. For step 3 I'd close the radiator drain and force water in thru the radiator cap opening. Then I'd also open the radiator drain back up and make sure to run plenty of water thru the radiator. Remember old coolant of most types is a hazardous material, don't just run it down the storm sewer. Bottle it and dispose of it properly. In step 6, that's your cars heater they're talking about. I'd have the control set to hot during flushing too I believe. Reason being, when you crank up the heat control it opens the flow to flush the coolant thru your heater core. In step 8 you've got to run it till it get's up to full operating temperature. At that point your thermostat opens and let's the coolant circulate, doing it's job. If you note the temperature of the upper radiator hose and keep track of it (by touch) as the car warms up, you'll notice when it starts to get seriously hot. That'll show you it's open and flowing. Keep in mind when they say check system this DOES NOT mean open the radiator cap and check the level. It means to look around / under to make sure you don't have any leaks (like forgetting to properly tighten a drain). Two other things you can do that will help. One is to squeeze the upper radiator hose real good a few times as you're getting the system close to full of coolant, this can help push out and trapped air bubbles. Secondly they don't say to add coolant to your overflow bottle, you do want to do that. Once you're done you'll want to check your overflow bottle (after the car is mostly / all cool) and add back up to the correct line. You might have to repeat this process a couple times over the next few days to make sure you're properly full-up. Keep in mind that coolant splashes pretty bad, watch your eyes. If you're as green as I'd like to be, I think you can now buy biodegradable coolant, but I'm not for sure. Good luck. Chris 99BBB 92BB&T for sale "Brian" > wrote in message news:84vdf.4082$rO4.945@trnddc05... >I have a 1996 Miata 1.8 L. I have never flushed and refilled coolant > (myself), so i'm looking for some guidance. I have Haynes manual for my > Miata. > Instructions a > 1. drain coolant thru radiator drain > 2. loosen engine block drain plug and drain coolant thru there > 3. flush system > 4. drain overflow reservoir > 5. close rad. drain and engine block drain > 6. Place heater temp control in max heat position > 7. slowly add coolant till radiator is full > 8. run car with radiator cap off until thermostat opens > 9. turn car off and let cool > 10. add more coolant to radiator to fill to top > 11. replace radiator cap and start engine > 12. allow to reach operating temp & check system > > My questions: > 1. in step 3 do you flush thru radiator drain or engine block drain, or > both? > 2. in step 6 what is the heater temp control? How do I place it in max > heat > position? > 3. what do they mean by step 8 - run until thermostat opens? > 4. are there any other important steps I am missing? > > thanks for any help > Brian White > > |
#3
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Flush Radiator
Chris D'Agnolo wrote:
> Brian, > > Before addressing any of your notes, just a reminder to use the right type > of coolant (I believe as long as it's the florescent yellow / green you're > ok) with the right mixture of water. I strongly believe in using distilled > water instead of tap water, generally it's a 50 / 50 ratio but on the > container it'll describe it based on your expected temperatures outside. > > For step 3 I'd close the radiator drain and force water in thru the radiator > cap opening. Then I'd also open the radiator drain back up and make sure to > run plenty of water thru the radiator. Remember old coolant of most types is > a hazardous material, don't just run it down the storm sewer. Bottle it and > dispose of it properly. > > In step 6, that's your cars heater they're talking about. I'd have the > control set to hot during flushing too I believe. Reason being, when you > crank up the heat control it opens the flow to flush the coolant thru your > heater core. > > In step 8 you've got to run it till it get's up to full operating > temperature. At that point your thermostat opens and let's the coolant > circulate, doing it's job. If you note the temperature of the upper radiator > hose and keep track of it (by touch) as the car warms up, you'll notice when > it starts to get seriously hot. That'll show you it's open and flowing. Keep > in mind when they say check system this DOES NOT mean open the radiator cap > and check the level. It means to look around / under to make sure you don't > have any leaks (like forgetting to properly tighten a drain). > > Two other things you can do that will help. One is to squeeze the upper > radiator hose real good a few times as you're getting the system close to > full of coolant, this can help push out and trapped air bubbles. Secondly > they don't say to add coolant to your overflow bottle, you do want to do > that. Once you're done you'll want to check your overflow bottle (after the > car is mostly / all cool) and add back up to the correct line. You might > have to repeat this process a couple times over the next few days to make > sure you're properly full-up. > > Keep in mind that coolant splashes pretty bad, watch your eyes. > > If you're as green as I'd like to be, I think you can now buy biodegradable > coolant, but I'm not for sure. > > Good luck. > > Chris > 99BBB > 92BB&T for sale Good advice Chris, Another thing, since he mentioned never having done it himself, at least to this car, is to be certain that no animals can get to the coolant before bottling it up. Many animals, including pets, will drink it, and it is a terrible death for most that do. He likely already knows this, but it is probably worth mentioning just to be safe. The other thing is, a lot of people store the fluid in water or milk jugs until they dispose of it. I have a gallon jug full of used antifreeze right now that would look just like lime juice to some children. It is in the garage on a shelf until I can take it in, but I still have it clearly marked "poison", with skull & crossbones and all, done with a sharpie pen in big letters and the lid is also duct-taped on. Pat |
#4
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Flush Radiator
"pws" > wrote in message ... > Chris D'Agnolo wrote: > > Brian, > > > > Before addressing any of your notes, just a reminder to use the right type > > of coolant (I believe as long as it's the florescent yellow / green you're > > ok) with the right mixture of water. I strongly believe in using distilled > > water instead of tap water, generally it's a 50 / 50 ratio but on the > > container it'll describe it based on your expected temperatures outside. > > > > For step 3 I'd close the radiator drain and force water in thru the radiator > > cap opening. Then I'd also open the radiator drain back up and make sure to > > run plenty of water thru the radiator. Remember old coolant of most types is > > a hazardous material, don't just run it down the storm sewer. Bottle it and > > dispose of it properly. > > > > In step 6, that's your cars heater they're talking about. I'd have the > > control set to hot during flushing too I believe. Reason being, when you > > crank up the heat control it opens the flow to flush the coolant thru your > > heater core. > > > > In step 8 you've got to run it till it get's up to full operating > > temperature. At that point your thermostat opens and let's the coolant > > circulate, doing it's job. If you note the temperature of the upper radiator > > hose and keep track of it (by touch) as the car warms up, you'll notice when > > it starts to get seriously hot. That'll show you it's open and flowing. Keep > > in mind when they say check system this DOES NOT mean open the radiator cap > > and check the level. It means to look around / under to make sure you don't > > have any leaks (like forgetting to properly tighten a drain). > > > > Two other things you can do that will help. One is to squeeze the upper > > radiator hose real good a few times as you're getting the system close to > > full of coolant, this can help push out and trapped air bubbles. Secondly > > they don't say to add coolant to your overflow bottle, you do want to do > > that. Once you're done you'll want to check your overflow bottle (after the > > car is mostly / all cool) and add back up to the correct line. You might > > have to repeat this process a couple times over the next few days to make > > sure you're properly full-up. > > > > Keep in mind that coolant splashes pretty bad, watch your eyes. > > > > If you're as green as I'd like to be, I think you can now buy biodegradable > > coolant, but I'm not for sure. > > > > Good luck. > > > > Chris > > 99BBB > > 92BB&T for sale > > > Good advice Chris, > > Another thing, since he mentioned never having done it himself, at least > to this car, is to be certain that no animals can get to the coolant > before bottling it up. > Many animals, including pets, will drink it, and it is a terrible death > for most that do. He likely already knows this, but it is probably worth > mentioning just to be safe. > > The other thing is, a lot of people store the fluid in water or milk > jugs until they dispose of it. I have a gallon jug full of used > antifreeze right now that would look just like lime juice to some children. > > It is in the garage on a shelf until I can take it in, but I still have > it clearly marked "poison", with skull & crossbones and all, done with a > sharpie pen in big letters and the lid is also duct-taped on. > > Pat Here is what my '90 shop manual says: 1. Remove radiator cap and loosen the drain plug 2. Drain coolant into suitable container 3. Flush the cooling system with water until all traces of color are gone; let the system drain completely 4. Install the drain plug 5. Fill with proper amount and mixture of ethylene glycol based coolant by referring to the mixture table (they mean % of water and coolant determined by thermal protection required...i.e how low you want to go. This is probably the same info on the coolant manufacturer's label) 6. Run the engine with the radiator cap removed, until the upper radiator hose is hot 7. With the engine idling, add coolant to the radiator until it reaches the bottom of the filler neck 8. Install the radiator cap To this I will add a few comments: o I always mix distilled water to the antifreeze to keep mineral crud out of the system. Maybe it's overkill. o Forget about turning the heater on. I understand that the water is always circulating through the heater core in most modern cars. When you choose cold air, it simply blocks off the warm air but does not restrict or stop the coolant flow as in older cars. This is the way it works in my '90 Miata for certain; probably yours as well. o Also change the coolant in the overfill bottle; fill it at least half full (I usually fill to the top limit line). o After a couple of days, check the coolant level again both in the overflow bottle and at the radiator cap (cold engine, of course). I find that in most cars, there are little pockets of air that get displaced and filled with coolant. I believe the Miata needed a little more coolant after a short time. o The comments about disposal and keeping children and animals away are good advice Ken |
#5
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Flush Radiator
for step 3 - so force the water out the engine block drain first, then close
that and force it out through the radiator drain? for step 8 it says, and another guy in a later post said you leave the cap *off* while warming up the engine. In his post he even said to add more coolant to radiator while car idles. Your post implies as it heats up the cap is *on*. Which is it? You guys also mentioned to change the coolant in the overflow container. Do you have to remove it to do that? It's kinda bolted in there I think. I understand the rest. Thanks for the help. Brian > For step 3 I'd close the radiator drain and force water in thru the radiator > cap opening. Then I'd also open the radiator drain back up and make sure to > run plenty of water thru the radiator. Remember old coolant of most types is > a hazardous material, don't just run it down the storm sewer. Bottle it and > dispose of it properly. > > > In step 8 you've got to run it till it get's up to full operating > temperature. At that point your thermostat opens and let's the coolant > circulate, doing it's job. If you note the temperature of the upper radiator > hose and keep track of it (by touch) as the car warms up, you'll notice when > it starts to get seriously hot. That'll show you it's open and flowing. Keep > in mind when they say check system this DOES NOT mean open the radiator cap > and check the level. It means to look around / under to make sure you don't > have any leaks (like forgetting to properly tighten a drain). > > Two other things you can do that will help. One is to squeeze the upper > radiator hose real good a few times as you're getting the system close to > full of coolant, this can help push out and trapped air bubbles. Secondly > they don't say to add coolant to your overflow bottle, you do want to do > that. Once you're done you'll want to check your overflow bottle (after the > car is mostly / all cool) and add back up to the correct line. You might > have to repeat this process a couple times over the next few days to make > sure you're properly full-up. > > Keep in mind that coolant splashes pretty bad, watch your eyes. > > If you're as green as I'd like to be, I think you can now buy biodegradable > coolant, but I'm not for sure. > > Good luck. > > Chris > 99BBB > 92BB&T for sale > > "Brian" > wrote in message > news:84vdf.4082$rO4.945@trnddc05... > >I have a 1996 Miata 1.8 L. I have never flushed and refilled coolant > > (myself), so i'm looking for some guidance. I have Haynes manual for my > > Miata. > > Instructions a > > 1. drain coolant thru radiator drain > > 2. loosen engine block drain plug and drain coolant thru there > > 3. flush system > > 4. drain overflow reservoir > > 5. close rad. drain and engine block drain > > 6. Place heater temp control in max heat position > > 7. slowly add coolant till radiator is full > > 8. run car with radiator cap off until thermostat opens > > 9. turn car off and let cool > > 10. add more coolant to radiator to fill to top > > 11. replace radiator cap and start engine > > 12. allow to reach operating temp & check system > > > > My questions: > > 1. in step 3 do you flush thru radiator drain or engine block drain, or > > both? > > 2. in step 6 what is the heater temp control? How do I place it in max > > heat > > position? > > 3. what do they mean by step 8 - run until thermostat opens? > > 4. are there any other important steps I am missing? > > > > thanks for any help > > Brian White > > > > > > |
#6
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Flush Radiator
In article >,
"Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote: > Remember old coolant of most types is > a hazardous material, don't just run it down the storm sewer. Bottle it and > dispose of it properly. The proper disposal method: if you're on a municipal sewer system, flush it down the toilet. Ethylene glycol breaks down completely in normal sewage treatment. If you call your local sewer company, this is what they'll tell you to do. Definitely don't let it run into a storm sewer! > In step 6, that's your cars heater they're talking about. I'd have the > control set to hot during flushing too I believe. Reason being, when you > crank up the heat control it opens the flow to flush the coolant thru your > heater core. In the Miata, coolant always runs through the heater core; you couldn't turn it off if you wanted to. This step is irrelevant. -- Lanny Chambers '94C, St. Louis http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html |
#7
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Flush Radiator
Step 3 is a bit ambiguous. I did actually install a flush connector in line
with one of the heater hoses at one time. I suppose you could do that. Another way of doing it would be to re-install the drain plug, fill the system with water (car not running, of course) and let it drain again (and again?). Maybe it's not all that critical. Steps six, seven and eight are sequential. Warm it up without the cap. Refill to the filler neck after the level drops a bit and put the cap on. It is actually pretty easy, Brian. Hell, If I can do it...anyone can. Good luck. Ken "Brian" > wrote in message news:3jBdf.2964$Mr4.2515@trnddc08... > for step 3 - so force the water out the engine block drain first, then close > that and force it out through the radiator drain? > > for step 8 it says, and another guy in a later post said you leave the cap > *off* while warming up the engine. In his post he even said to add more > coolant to radiator while car idles. Your post implies as it heats up the > cap is *on*. Which is it? > > You guys also mentioned to change the coolant in the overflow container. Do > you have to remove it to do that? It's kinda bolted in there I think. > > I understand the rest. Thanks for the help. > > Brian > > > For step 3 I'd close the radiator drain and force water in thru the > radiator > > cap opening. Then I'd also open the radiator drain back up and make sure > to > > run plenty of water thru the radiator. Remember old coolant of most types > is > > a hazardous material, don't just run it down the storm sewer. Bottle it > and > > dispose of it properly. > > > > > > In step 8 you've got to run it till it get's up to full operating > > temperature. At that point your thermostat opens and let's the coolant > > circulate, doing it's job. If you note the temperature of the upper > radiator > > hose and keep track of it (by touch) as the car warms up, you'll notice > when > > it starts to get seriously hot. That'll show you it's open and flowing. > Keep > > in mind when they say check system this DOES NOT mean open the radiator > cap > > and check the level. It means to look around / under to make sure you > don't > > have any leaks (like forgetting to properly tighten a drain). > > > > Two other things you can do that will help. One is to squeeze the upper > > radiator hose real good a few times as you're getting the system close to > > full of coolant, this can help push out and trapped air bubbles. Secondly > > they don't say to add coolant to your overflow bottle, you do want to do > > that. Once you're done you'll want to check your overflow bottle (after > the > > car is mostly / all cool) and add back up to the correct line. You might > > have to repeat this process a couple times over the next few days to make > > sure you're properly full-up. > > > > Keep in mind that coolant splashes pretty bad, watch your eyes. > > > > If you're as green as I'd like to be, I think you can now buy > biodegradable > > coolant, but I'm not for sure. > > > > Good luck. > > > > Chris > > 99BBB > > 92BB&T for sale > > > > "Brian" > wrote in message > > news:84vdf.4082$rO4.945@trnddc05... > > >I have a 1996 Miata 1.8 L. I have never flushed and refilled coolant > > > (myself), so i'm looking for some guidance. I have Haynes manual for my > > > Miata. > > > Instructions a > > > 1. drain coolant thru radiator drain > > > 2. loosen engine block drain plug and drain coolant thru there > > > 3. flush system > > > 4. drain overflow reservoir > > > 5. close rad. drain and engine block drain > > > 6. Place heater temp control in max heat position > > > 7. slowly add coolant till radiator is full > > > 8. run car with radiator cap off until thermostat opens > > > 9. turn car off and let cool > > > 10. add more coolant to radiator to fill to top > > > 11. replace radiator cap and start engine > > > 12. allow to reach operating temp & check system > > > > > > My questions: > > > 1. in step 3 do you flush thru radiator drain or engine block drain, or > > > both? > > > 2. in step 6 what is the heater temp control? How do I place it in max > > > heat > > > position? > > > 3. what do they mean by step 8 - run until thermostat opens? > > > 4. are there any other important steps I am missing? > > > > > > thanks for any help > > > Brian White > > > > > > > > > > > > |
#8
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Flush Radiator
I don't think flushing it down the toilet is a proper method. It may be
where you live, but I don't think that applies everywhere. If at all possible, recycle it -- contact local radiator repair shops and see if they will take it off your hands the way AutoZone will take your used motor oil, or store it for a time when your community hosts "Household Hazardous Waste Collection" days. "Lanny Chambers" > wrote in message ... > In article >, > "Chris D'Agnolo" > wrote: > >> Remember old coolant of most types is >> a hazardous material, don't just run it down the storm sewer. Bottle it >> and >> dispose of it properly. > > The proper disposal method: if you're on a municipal sewer system, flush > it down the toilet. Ethylene glycol breaks down completely in normal > sewage treatment. If you call your local sewer company, this is what > they'll tell you to do. Definitely don't let it run into a storm sewer! > >> In step 6, that's your cars heater they're talking about. I'd have the >> control set to hot during flushing too I believe. Reason being, when you >> crank up the heat control it opens the flow to flush the coolant thru >> your >> heater core. > > In the Miata, coolant always runs through the heater core; you couldn't > turn it off if you wanted to. This step is irrelevant. > > -- > Lanny Chambers > '94C, St. Louis > http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html |
#9
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Flush Radiator
In article >,
"The Millers" > wrote: > I don't think flushing it down the toilet is a proper method. It may be > where you live, but I don't think that applies everywhere. That's possible. It's a good idea to call the local wastewater treatment facility and ask. As a general rule, a few gallons of used glycol-water coolant won't cause any problems, if flushed with plenty of plain water (so flush the toilet twice). This does not apply to septic-tank sewage systems, or to that one-holer out by the barn. It also doesn't apply to bulk disposal by repair shops, or if the antifreeze is contaminated by other substances (e.g., oil, heavy metals, radiator flushes). Further, some states or municipalities may classify antifreeze as toxic waste and require more stringent (read: expen$ive) disposal requirements for political rather than scientific reasons. Presumably, folks living in such places thought that was a good enough idea to vote for it, so they'll get no sympathy from me. :-) -- Lanny Chambers '94C, St. Louis http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html |
#10
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Flush Radiator
So in step 8 when do you put the cap on? Once the thermostat reaches
operating temperature, or before? I'm being careful about this as I don't want to go blind from getting sprayed by coolant in the eyes. > Steps six, seven and eight are sequential. Warm it up without the cap. > Refill to the filler neck after the level drops a bit and put the cap on. > > It is actually pretty easy, Brian. Hell, If I can do it...anyone can. > > Good luck. > > Ken > > > "Brian" > wrote in message > news:3jBdf.2964$Mr4.2515@trnddc08... > > for step 3 - so force the water out the engine block drain first, then > close > > that and force it out through the radiator drain? > > > > for step 8 it says, and another guy in a later post said you leave the cap > > *off* while warming up the engine. In his post he even said to add more > > coolant to radiator while car idles. Your post implies as it heats up the > > cap is *on*. Which is it? > > > > You guys also mentioned to change the coolant in the overflow container. > Do > > you have to remove it to do that? It's kinda bolted in there I think. > > > > I understand the rest. Thanks for the help. > > > > Brian > > > > > For step 3 I'd close the radiator drain and force water in thru the > > radiator > > > cap opening. Then I'd also open the radiator drain back up and make sure > > to > > > run plenty of water thru the radiator. Remember old coolant of most > types > > is > > > a hazardous material, don't just run it down the storm sewer. Bottle it > > and > > > dispose of it properly. > > > > > > > > > In step 8 you've got to run it till it get's up to full operating > > > temperature. At that point your thermostat opens and let's the coolant > > > circulate, doing it's job. If you note the temperature of the upper > > radiator > > > hose and keep track of it (by touch) as the car warms up, you'll notice > > when > > > it starts to get seriously hot. That'll show you it's open and flowing. > > Keep > > > in mind when they say check system this DOES NOT mean open the radiator > > cap > > > and check the level. It means to look around / under to make sure you > > don't > > > have any leaks (like forgetting to properly tighten a drain). > > > > > > Two other things you can do that will help. One is to squeeze the upper > > > radiator hose real good a few times as you're getting the system close > to > > > full of coolant, this can help push out and trapped air bubbles. > Secondly > > > they don't say to add coolant to your overflow bottle, you do want to do > > > that. Once you're done you'll want to check your overflow bottle (after > > the > > > car is mostly / all cool) and add back up to the correct line. You might > > > have to repeat this process a couple times over the next few days to > make > > > sure you're properly full-up. > > > > > > Keep in mind that coolant splashes pretty bad, watch your eyes. > > > > > > If you're as green as I'd like to be, I think you can now buy > > biodegradable > > > coolant, but I'm not for sure. > > > > > > Good luck. > > > > > > Chris > > > 99BBB > > > 92BB&T for sale > > > > > > "Brian" > wrote in message > > > news:84vdf.4082$rO4.945@trnddc05... > > > >I have a 1996 Miata 1.8 L. I have never flushed and refilled coolant > > > > (myself), so i'm looking for some guidance. I have Haynes manual for > my > > > > Miata. > > > > Instructions a > > > > 1. drain coolant thru radiator drain > > > > 2. loosen engine block drain plug and drain coolant thru there > > > > 3. flush system > > > > 4. drain overflow reservoir > > > > 5. close rad. drain and engine block drain > > > > 6. Place heater temp control in max heat position > > > > 7. slowly add coolant till radiator is full > > > > 8. run car with radiator cap off until thermostat opens > > > > 9. turn car off and let cool > > > > 10. add more coolant to radiator to fill to top > > > > 11. replace radiator cap and start engine > > > > 12. allow to reach operating temp & check system > > > > > > > > My questions: > > > > 1. in step 3 do you flush thru radiator drain or engine block drain, > or > > > > both? > > > > 2. in step 6 what is the heater temp control? How do I place it in > max > > > > heat > > > > position? > > > > 3. what do they mean by step 8 - run until thermostat opens? > > > > 4. are there any other important steps I am missing? > > > > > > > > thanks for any help > > > > Brian White > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > |
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