Coolant Flush

[RSchwarzli]

What is the correct prosedure for a coolant flush on a 1990?? How is this done and what do I need??



Thanks!Oo.



Robert

 

[Greenleaf]

Getcha a garden hose adapter. It is placed in the coolant hose. You'll need one w/a 5/8" hose barb. Two clamps.



Drain and flush. Drain and flush. Pull that pipe plug outta the top of the head next to the thermostat. Flush more. Remove one of the cooland hoses to flush the heater core with that garden hose adapter.



Fill with water from the store. Pure water. Run engine and drain.



Fill with the Cummins approved (low silicate ASTM 4985 and/or ASTM3306 ) at a 50/50. There WILL still be a small amount of water remaining in the block. It will be fine if you mix 50/50. Never mix in the engine. Always out of the engine.



I find that the correct coolant is tough to locate at auto parts stores. Know why? YOUR TRUCK ISN'T AN AUTOMOBILE



Likely will have to visit a truck dealership. Don't use the modern stuff. Your silicone hoses and cyl head gasket ain't made for that chemical.



I believe the last issure gave spec numbers. Our engine does have its OWN spec number. use it.

 

[Greenleaf]

Oh yea... . fill with coolant while that head plug is out. Fill her right up there, then insert the plug. You can even remove a coolant hose for the heater core and fill till the new coolant begines to drip out. You want as much air out as posibble.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Thanks! That is what I am looking for!



Robert

 

[JLEONARD]

Pull lower radiator hose and let the yuck drain out of the radiator. Yes it will have some pretty disguisting looking stuff in there.

 

[Skydiver]

First, on the initial drain I dispose of it properly. After that I fill with soft water, run up to temp and drain until I see clear water in a clear glass. Sometimes it takes up to 7 flushes and takes 2 hours. I do pull the lower hose to speed things up.

Hard water is bad for radiators and batteries.

As an example: You know you can dissolve a table spoon of sugar in a glass of water. The only difference is hard water has calcium or magnesium dissolved in it.

Skydiver

Water treatment operator 29 years.

 

[RSchwarzli]

First, on the initial drain I dispose of it properly. .

Always!:-laf:-laf



Robert

 

[BHerring]

I am also going to replace my upper and lower radiator hoses, so I might as well flush the system. Where do I get the low silicate ASTM 4985 and/or ASTM3306?



Greenleaf: What do you mean about gave spec numbers. Our engine does have its OWN spec number. use it?



Any and all information will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Greenleaf]

Use the correct coolant.



I don't have a Mopar manual in my hands at the moment. I'm not 100% sure what it recommends for coolent (ASTM #)



Have you a Cummins 5. 9 Maint. Manual? It lists the specifics. "Use low silicate antifreeze meeting ASTM 4985 (GM 6038) critera"



This can be either Ethylene or Propylene. The Dodge manual may give a specific spec as well. They be the ones who install the hoses and heater core and may assign a spec no.



There are many ASTM numbers. Some contain chemicals you don't want or require.



Coolant will wear out and become dirty. You can install a filter (like the buses/trucks use) and also test the coolant for PH and Nitrate etc. Thus you would add the required amount of chemicals called SCA or DCA to replenish what is lost from wear and tear.



I never throw out coolent from the bus fleet. It don't go bad unless you rupture a cooler.



ALL coolant is a long life coolant. You simply make it last long,long time as you test it and replace chemicals/filter it. If you don't want to do that, drain it out and replace with new.

 

[BHerring]

Greenleaf,

I do have Dodge 5. 9L Maint. Manual, I did some quick reading in the mainteance section and in the cooling section, but didnt find any coolent ASTM numbers, however I am looking at some coolant (like Prestone) and on the back it says it exceeds the ASTM 4985 critera, so that should be good enough, do you concour?

 

[JLEONARD]

Prestone or equivelent. Change it out every 3 years. I've never had a problem in my truck or in any of the boat diesels I've run over the years.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Won't the Mopar Parts Dept also have the right stuff??



Robert

 

[WJones]

you can goto cummins or a truck supply and get the fleetguard stuff.

 

[Greenleaf]

Ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. That is ASTM 4985. It is simply Low Silicate non formulated coolant. That is what our engine needs.



If you see the above WITH Sodium Ethyl Hexanoate and/or Sodium Neodecanoate that is not 4985



I have some Prestone here that simply lists that this exceeds *ALL* ASTM standards. It is NOT 4985. It is GM Dex Cool Organic Acid technology.





The ASTM 3306 is low silicate, same as the 4985, but with some corrosion inhibitors. From what I remember, the ASTM 6210 is same as the 3306 only now it contains Supplemental Coolant Additives (fully formulated coolant for HD Diesels). Our engine does not require cylinder liner protection that SCA provides. You can use it but it must be compatable with the cyl head gaskets and silicone hoses, heater core etc.









I have attended several Cummins Filtration seminars (was Fleetguard) and they have a phone number for technical assistance. 800 223 4583



I'm told that John Deere coolant is real good stuff. I do have the specs, but can't locate them. It is a simple low silicate coolant. But it is used in cylinder liner engines, so it must be formulated with SCA. Need the spec sheet!!