anti-freeze change questions

[rdodd]

After reading up a little i've decided to just put a standard low silicate anti-freeze in my truck and forget about the long life formulas. Can't get into any trouble that way. Does anyone know what the exact capacity of the cooling system is in quarts for a 92 with automatic trans. and also does this include the overflow bottle? When draining anti-freeze is there a plug in the block or does it all just come out of the radiator? Does all of the anti-freeze usually come out by just draining?

 

[dpuckett]

Last time I did Mom's, I think it took right at 4 gallons of mixed stuff including the overflow. My pickup took 4-1/2 gallons to fill up the rad & engine, then more for the overflow. 4gal should get you changed out well enough to make it to the store if needed.



The draincock on the radiator is the only drain I know of. I'd guesstimate 99% of the stuff will drain out through there, but I always do it on a warm engine to make sure the t-stat is open, and it ALL drains out. Hot coolant isnt as bad as hot oil on your hands.



I'm running (in the 4th CTD now) the Havoline orange stuff; forget the exact name. It is silicate FREE, and approved by Cummins. We dont need the SCAs in our coolant like the Fordboys- some propriety designs that prevent cavitation erosion. But coolant is like any other fluid- everyone has their favortie for whatever reason, and heated battles can ensue.



Good luck. If the red looks gunky with buildup, it'd probably be a good idea to have it cleaned out by a radiator shop so it will cool like it should. Flush out the engine, too, if needed.



Daniel

 

[JKurley]

The Havoline orange stuff appealed to me too: 150k miles between changes. It was in mine for about 20k when the dreaded head gasket leak behind the t-stat cover commenced. The Cummins tech that did my head gasket said that he thinks the orange stuff is having a deleterious effect on these gaskets, because he's changed out a lot of them.



He put in a premixed product from

cummins that was green and expensive (~$10/gallon), and it has a reputed 150k lifespan. I'd at least call the local Cummins dealer and find out more.

 

[JLEONARD]

But coolant is like any other fluid- everyone has their favortie for whatever reason, and heated battles can ensue.

True, but just don't use the GM Dexicool or whatever their long life stuff is called and expect to get 100 K out of it. You can read all stories on the internet thru a quick search... my son makes a fair amount of $$ repairing the damage this stuff causes when left in too long... or when removed and replaced by green antifreeze by the unknowing.

No intention of starting a battle here... just laying out what I know.

Jay

 

[MrWinkey]

I got some cat extedned life coolant from my cat dealer. It was expensive also (about 10$ a gallon ready mixed)



I'm going to change it out this weekend... . I'll let you know how it goes... .

 

[dpuckett]

I didnt buy the stuff for the extended life, but mainly for the low/no silicates. I plan to change it about every 50K or so. I just cant leave any fluid in there for more than two years, oil or antifreeze.



And to clarify what ECJay said, I have seen the stories of the GM DexCool making big messes of stuff. But I read in a post here a few weeks ago, that the orange stuff isnt the DexCool itself, just D-C compatible.



I have 25K on my new headgasket with the oragne stuff, no problems so far, knock on wood [taps side of head]. The coolant passages on the old gasket were nearly clogged completely- there was about 1/8" of space left in the passages; not much coolant flow through the head at all. I think it matters less WHAT (as far as brand) you put in it as long as you CHANGE it according to schedule.



-DP

 

[rdodd]

I called xerex and peak toll free # tech lines and they said there conventional antifreeze is low in silicates, 250 parts per million, so i decided to just stick with the old conventional stuff. I,ve heard too many horror stories regarding the use of long life formulas and some of the tech people said they would stick to the regular antifreeze since that is all thats been used in my truck since new.

 

[rdodd]

I forgot to meantion that i also e-mailed prestone and they said there conventional antifreeze is high in silicates so it probably should not be used in our diesels. I ended up using peak.