Water pump Job

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by CrisZenithBlue

no shame in catching it all in a large enough container when flushing the system initially and reusing it.

+ 1

Yes, as long you have a very clean container why not?

[911monty]

Unless you go to extraordinary length working under the car you run the risk of getting road debris, sand etc. in your coolant. I would not do this and put back into the engine. Everything is much more expensive than coolant.
I think what you're asking is there a way to prevent total loss? If this is the case you can clamp off the 2 main hoses to the radiators and at least save that volume.
Everything in the engine will drain when you pull the pump.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by 911monty

Unless you go to extraordinary length working under the car you run the risk of getting road debris, sand etc. in your coolant. I would not do this and put back into the engine. Everything is much more expensive than coolant.

Agree! Unless you have a spotless engine, you're going to get dirt and debris in the coolant as it runs out and down the various parts of the engine and into the catch pan.
I would recommend not re-using it.