Alternative for Coolant Changes

[rogerblind]

Today, I finally changed my antifreeze (24K miles). The method I used may not be perfect, but it's another option, and an easy one. I first managed to open the DC 2-cent (one??) radiator drain valve without breaking it. Let the radiator drain with cap on until overflow bottle empty, then removed radiator cap. Drained radiator and measured liquid at 4 gallons, which was more than 50% of 6 gallon total capacity of cooling system. Left drain open and refilled radiator with water from garden hose (no, not distilled water) and left hose run just enough to overflow radiator while drain was open. Started engine and ran it until thermostat opened and drain ran clear (about 15 minutes). Stopped and let radiator drain again. Shut drain and poured 3 gallons of antifreeze into radiator. Put another 1/2 quart in overflow bottle. Filled radiator with water and added 1/2 quart water to overflow bottle. Again ran engine for about 15 minutes, and kept topping off radiator with water. Put cap on radiator and completed job. This way, I am sure of the 50% mixture, the whole system was flushed, and the worst part of the job was opening that DC drain valve. I'm sure there are better ways of doing it, but thought someone else might find this to be a simple and effective method, as I did. BTW, I have since driven over 150 miles, and have had to add nothing, so all air must have been out of system.

 

[Deezul1]

I was told by a radiator shop not to use 100% distilled water with the antifreeze but mix some tap water with it as the distilled water tries to leach chemicals from surrounding area and will eat at aluminum radiators and with some tap water in the system it wont do that. Has anyone heard of this and can it be verified? sounds good but?

 

[Deezul1]

rogerblind

Sounds like a good system to me, the easier the job the more likely we are to get at it.

 

[rogerblind]

Deezul1, I am Chief Engineer for a water utility. Your point about the aggressiveness of distilled water would be theoretically correct, if the cooling system was filled with 100% distilled water. At a 50% solution with antifreeze, I would be very surprised if it caused a problem. However, I would also be very surprised if 100% tap water was a problem. With 3 gallons of water and 450ppm of total dissolved solids (close to 500 maximum in my state), the maximum amount of deposition that could occur would be just under 0. 18 ounces, and there is no way 100% of the solids would deposit on the cooling system. I wouldn't lose any sleep whatever type of water is used.

 

[radixr]

I got 5 gallons out by pulling the lower radiator hose and blowing air into one of the heater hoses. I think you could get out most of the remaining coolant by backing the truck up on ramps to raise the rear of the engine (which is normally lower than the front).

 

[_Hyde]

Another way to get the coolant out of the radiator on your Ram or any other vehicle with a crossflow radiator is to siphon it out with a hose. Now I'm not advocating stuffing a piece garden hose in your mouth with the other end in the radiator. I use 3/8 - 1/2" clear vinyl tubing and a bucket. Stuff the tubing as far down the radiator as you can get it and let it hang down into the bucket on the ground. I have air so I cut a small slit in tube about halfway down and stick my air nozzle in and give a little air. This gets the flow going and you can drain your radiator without having to mess with that less than user friendly drian valve.



Darren

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Rogerblind said:

"With 3 gallons of water and 450ppm of total dissolved solids (close to 500 maximum in my state), the maximum amount of deposition that could occur would be just under 0. 18 ounces, and there is no way 100% of the solids would deposit on the cooling system. "



Sounds like something you read in a textbook at NASA



What the average person sees:



"With Blah blah blah blah 450blahblahblah Blah blah (blah blah 500 blah blah blah) The Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah 110% blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah.



If i EVER have a question about water, Rogerblind WILL be getting an email form me! This guy knows water

 

[jmeehan]

Hyde,

Thanks for the tip on starting a siphon! I sucked a little gas years ago while siphoning and I've been reluctant to try the ussual method since.

 

[John Berger]

Check the service manual

The service manual procedure will get all of the old fluid out of the cooling system. Steve St. L had a link some months back that referenced this procedure. I did it that way, got all but a quart or so of old stuff out. I could have got it all out, but got a bit lazy.

 

[rogerblind]

EMDIESEL, What the "average person" should see, is the last sentence, which says, "I wouldn't lose any sleep whatever type of water is used. " I was just trying to explain the basis for that statement, for anyone who cares.