Coolant change

[Randomrunner12]

Hey yall,

I know this has been asked a bunch, but how many of you change your coolant at 30k miles and change the water pump and T-stat at the same time?

2 Years ago I installed a new turbo on my truck and at that time I had to drain the coolant so new coolant, and water pump went on at 139K miles. I'm now at 196K and about to change the pump and t-stat this weekend and likely the upper and lower factory hoses to new ones maybe since I have them or I will set them aside as spares.

Since I am not having any issue's with the truck cooling, what do some of you logical guys think? Just open the radiator drain and upper hose to get as much coolant as I can out and refill? I dont plan to do a full flush since I change well before the needed timing and this will be the 4th time for this truck in 8 years.

 

[lpennock]

I change my coolant at the recommend interval or when doing a water pump, whichever comes first. Since the water pump on these things are so easy to change I don't change until they fail.

 

[Jim W]

I am still on the original (knock on Wood) water pump at 133,000 + miles! The coolant has been changed twice per the time limit on the coolant which I believe is 5 years or 100,000 miles.

 

[Timd32]

Might want to just check it with a decent Refractometer.

Save some $ less impact on the enviroment if its still doing well.

For me its a complete pain to recycle the stuff, I have too much as it is in buckets to recycle now.

PH also plays a role, someone else could chime in on that side of things...

 

[Randomrunner12]

we used to use one of these. I'll have to get one next time and save me some extra $$.

 

[Ozymandias]

I've never heard from someone changing water pump and t-stat every 30k Miles....

 

[Randomrunner12]

I've got a fear of my pumps ever since I bought my truck I lost 3 in the first 17k miles over ownership. Maybe they finally fixed the issue but since mine have lifetime warranty I figured why not. The tstat has almost 200k on it.

 

[Wiredawg]

Seems 180K K miles is a realistic target. I inspect mine when changing serpentine belt at 60K miles. On my wife's 03 Ram 2500, I inspected water pump at 180K miles, nice and tight, no play, so kept it in. It started leaking about 10K miles later.

It's really crap when something as simple as a water pump has design/manufacturing issues. In all the vehicles I've ever owned, I've had two fail, one in a 1990 Toyota 4x4 and the other 2003 Ram 2500, both checked good at 180K Miles and both failed within 10K miles after.

Anyhoo, for me, 180K miles for water pumps.

Cheers, Ron

 

[lpennock]

Most of my vehicles have lost water pumps around 90K miles do to leaking. I just figure that AZ heat is a bit harder on the seals than a lot of places.

 

[Wiredawg]

Most of my vehicles have lost water pumps around 90K miles do to leaking. I just figure that AZ heat is a bit harder on the seals than a lot of places.

I hear ya on the year round heat... Here in SW TX, we have 8 - 9 months of Summer, about 1.5 months of Fall and Spring, and 4 - 9 days of winter.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Cummins12V98]

My friends 01 has the original WP at 412k.

My 98 12V had OE at 350k when I sold it to my Son.

 

[Wiredawg]

My friends 01 has the original WP at 412k.

My 98 12V had OE at 350k when I sold it to my Son.

Ron, do you attribute this longevity to any thing special, or just to the high end of the water pump lifecycle curve?
Cheers, Ron

 

[Cummins12V98]

We both used AMZ/OIL Antifreeze.

Not saying that's why they lasted so long but ya never know. My Son removed mine when he did the head.

 

[JR]

I think it probably boils down to a combo of a supplier issue, and likely heat as well. The lower t stat temps and no EGR certainly keep the under hood temps considerably lower.

 

[Randomrunner12]

Yeah, having the 190* stat definitely helps out alot. Ever since I put it in after parts falling off my temps haven't ever gone above 197* even with 110* days pulling a trailer in Dallas rush hour.

 

[JR]

Now compare that to the 12 valve and a 180 stat and you can see how anything with a seal can and will last longer.

 

[Randomrunner12]

Oh yeah. Engine might not run as well as they design it with the 200* stat but it comforts me knowing the cooling is better.

Shoulda done a coolant bypass when I got the truck too.

 

[JR]

Oh yeah. Engine might not run as well as they design it with the 200* stat but it comforts me knowing the cooling is better.

Shoulda done a coolant bypass when I got the truck too.

Have you noticed any difference running a cooler stat?
I would have thought with your tuning it wouldn't have been an issue?

 

[Randomrunner12]

IT hasn't been any issue and to me runs much better I am just sure there are those out there that would argue it needs the factory stat but when deleted you need to drop to the 190 since the engine doesn't need to run as hot anymore.

I noticed better cooling and easier on the cooling system as a whole in my opinion. Truck just feels like it runs better when cooler. Ive been told I could go down to the 180* but that would be too cool for my liking.

 

[dieselshadow]

Diesels are more efficient when hotter.