Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 30,000 Mile Antifreeze change out

[JBlock]

How many change and flush your Antifreeze at 30,000 miles.



It seem early to me, at 24 months.

 

[Mundgyver]

I did mine at 70,000. The block looked brand new inside with no scaling. For a flush treatment, you can use Electro sol powdered dish-washing detergent. 4 scoops. Drain everything out first and blow out the heater core using the line that hooks to the return pipe. This allows you to back flush into the head. Fill with clear water and 4 scoops of detergent. Make sure your toped off on water and then drive it for 30 to 40 miles to get it good and hot. Drain it all down again and pull the thermo-stat. Re fill with fresh water, no detergent this time and heat it back up. I repeated this fresh rinse 3 time. Service up with the pre-mixed 600,000 mile or 12,000 hour fleetguard anti-freeze (Bright Red) and have been very happy with the outcome. The Electro sol trick was given to me by the shop mechanics at Cummins Northwest. Works very well. Enjoy.

 

[John Berger]

First coolant change - 45,169 miles

Second change - 87,425 miles



Yes, I know those intervals are high, but it's worked out to a change of coolant every two years. I usually get between 5 and 5. 5 gallons into the engine and radiator.

 

[Big-D]

Change Intervals

A two year cycle for change of thermostat and antifreeze is considered good preventive maintenance. With unlike metals in our cooling system, electrolysis develops causing corrosion and unnecessary wear. Radiator shops love guys who figure there is no need to change cooling system fluids.



If you consider changing your oil and fuel filter important for longevity, neglect of your cooling system will catch up with you in time. That thermostat works harder than one might think. Cheap insurance to keep your engine running properly for several hundred thousand miles.

Dave

 

[socal_rattler]

I did mine at 30k also for two reasons: 1. That's what the maintenance schedule calls for (I am not yet my own warranty station ) 2. I wanted to get the factory stuff out of there.



I went to the Fleetguard ES Complet EG coolant, which is supposed to be a lifetime coolant. I don't plan on leaving it in there 'lifetime', but I probably will stretch out the next coolant change.

 

[Pit Bull]

Go by the interval in the owners manual.

 

[redram3]

Just wondering anybody besides me use prestone? Thanks John

 

[mimprevento]

Coolant

Did mine at 24k- Cummins Atlantic put in Fleetguard Compleat EG- it will be in until 60k.

 

[JBlock]

Where are you guys getting fleet guard

Where the easiest place to pickup fleet guard and how expensive is it.



thanks for all the responces Joe

 

[Boldt's Wagon]

I have replaced a number of radiators in the last 40 years due to corrosion (infrequent antifreeze change). I have heard a new radiator for the Ram costs $700-800. I understand the radiators with plastic end tanks is not repairable.



I change out 4 gallons of 50 percent mix (using distilled water) every year. This is about 1/2 of the total and refreshes the corrosion inhibitors every year. I feel this is cheap insurance for a $800 radiator.

 

[Dane]

redram3,

Yup, Prestone Heavy Duty in the black bottle with a purple cap. Low silicates, extended life. Just like Cummins recommends.

 

[Mundgyver]

JBlock

Picked my fleetguard ES extreme at Cummins Northwest in Portland for $8. 00 a gallon. Pre-mixed. I bought 12 and was able to get 5 1/2 in the system.

 

[John Berger]

Originally posted by redram3

Just wondering anybody besides me use prestone? Thanks John

I just went to Prestone.

 

[Pit Bull]

I heard that all of the antifreeze is made in only a couple of plants and just put into different vendors containers??? Anybody know if this is true?

 

[socal_rattler]

I get my Fleetguard at Cummins Cal Pacific. I also use the premix. You can also order direct from Fleetguard. http://www.fleetguard.com/en/order_products/index.jhtml

 

[John Berger]

Originally posted by Pit Bull

I heard that all of the antifreeze is made in only a couple of plants and just put into different vendors containers??? Anybody know if this is true?

Pit Bull, I would not be surprised if that were true. A good example of this practice would be batteries. I believe there are three manufacturing plants that produce most of the batteries in the United States. I buy all of my batteries at Dollar General type stores. There is absolutely no difference between Duracell batteries and generic batteries, save the cover and the price.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Boldt's Wagon



I change out 4 gallons of 50 percent mix (using distilled water) every year. This is about 1/2 of the total and refreshes the corrosion inhibitors every year. I feel this is cheap insurance for a $800 radiator.

This sounds like a great idea and it sounds easy. Let me make sure I understand what you are doing. I get some pre-mix from Cummins and then I take off the radiator cap and open the pitcock and drain what is in the radiator. Then fill it up with the pre-mix. Buy doing this once a year (18K miles) I keep the cooling system refreshed and don't have to worry about the corrosiion inhibitors going bad? Anybody see a problem with doing it this way?

 

[socal_rattler]

If you are going to use the Fleetguard pre-mix, which is designed for longer life, why would you do that? It is very easy to just flush out the cooling system at the intervals in the owner's manual or even go longer if you want to go by what Fleetguard says.



Here's a link to the coolant drain procedure... it's easy!

http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/cooling-sys/antifreeze.htm

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by socal_rattler





Here's a link to the coolant drain procedure... it's easy!

http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/cooling-sys/antifreeze.htm

This looks like a lot more work than Bolt's Wagons way of doing it. Plus you use the pre mix and don't have to guess if you got it at the right %. Seems like a no brainer to me, unless I am missing something

 

[Mundgyver]

The nice thing about using the pre-mix, is that you know that the chemistry for the mix is right the first time. Not dependent on the local water quality or the proper amount of distilled water.