Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Cooling system flush

[Vengenz666]

Hey guys, after consulting the service manual I am about to start a system flush. I am going to use a flushing agent which requires about 6 hours of driving. Has anyone ever hooked up an electric water pump, removed the thermostat and ran it to circulate the water without having to drive? I understand heating the engine may be a factor but the reverse flushing procedure in the manual states nothing about running the engine..

Thanks in advance!

 

[DVolk]

My dad was in the Automotive Radiator industry for 40 years . So i have alot of education on cooling systems .
I never heard of a pump being hooked up to flush a system . Is this a owners manual or a book such as Chiltons or Haynes suggesting a flush ? Unless your system is over heating or grossly dirty there is no reason to flush a system its just a service shops sell you to get a $ 100 out of you plus coolant . If your radiator is dirty the only thing that will clean it and un clog it is to be rodded out out ,or replaced . Antifreeze does not physically ware out it gets dirty and the corrosion properties break down only if you do not care for your coolant , if you keep a good 50/50 miuxture and add a good anti rust corrosion additive to your cooling system . The anti corrosion additives are made from water soluble oil you can buy this buy the gallon at Napa i use this religiously and have cooling systems with coolant that is 10 to 20 years old with no issues , i add about 1 cup a year ,you can uyse the additives that is on the market , i just prefer my method .

 

[SAndreasen]

You can run it over several days you don't have to drive all six hours at once I flushed mine one time for 2 weeks I'd drain the water every couple days and put more in and run it again until the water would drain without any rust colored water

 

[Vengenz666]

DVolk, yes its the Dodge service manual.







SAndreasen, yea Ive driven it for about 3 hours worth now. When I drained my coolant to put the flush/distilled water in, I took a peak inside the radiator. Ill attach a pic below. With what Ive seen, and living in Phoenix where the daily temp has exceeded 115* on the reg, I went ahead and bought a new radiator, water pump, thermostat, upper/lower hoses, rad cap and fan clutch. With these temps Id rather have the piece of mind knowing I did the work and the components are new. The radiator is original. Oh and when I drained the coolant it was nice, bright green. The radiator looks like it may have encountered oil once upon a time. That or just build up over 20 years...

And sorry, my initial complaint is sitting in traffic the ac stops blowing cold (70*) and the temp gauge starts climbing (3/4). When Im moving the temp stays pegged at 190 and the ac blows 41*. My fan clutch spins by hand with little friction but does not keep spinning when I let off. Im hoping this nasty radiator is the source of my issues.... Thoughts?

 

[NIsaacs]

Vengen, what year is your truck, miles and etc? What radiator did you get? Your original appears to be a 3 core?

There is some good info here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/258635-G-plus-radiator

Nick

 

[Vengenz666]

NIsaacs, thought I filled out my sig but apparently it didnt take.. Anyways, Ive got a 97. And thank you for posting that link. I previously read that thread. I ordered a Spectra Premium CU1553 (rock auto/napa etc). It seemed to have decent reviews but we'll see. Everything Ive read stated the 97 5.9 came with a single row radiator.

 

[Bill Lins]

add a good anti rust corrosion additive to your cooling system . The anti corrosion additives are made from water soluble oil you can buy this buy the gallon at Napa

Do you have the name or number for the additive? My local NAPA folks are quite unknowing regarding this.

 

[DVolk]

Napa # WLD7651525 soluble cutting and grinding oil
Its $ 30.00 a gallon it last for ever .
Like i said my antifreeze looks like new

 

[Bill Lins]

Got it- thanks!

 

[DVolk]

No problem it mixes better when warm , also a short note any vehicle that has a coolant level sensor if you dump in strait with out a little water it will cling to the sensor as in the VW jetta and cause the light to come on

 

[CRodi]

Napa # WLD7651525 soluble cutting and grinding oil
Its $ 30.00 a gallon it last for ever .
Like i said my antifreeze looks like new

I punched that number into the Napa website in Canada and it doesn't exist.(Not too surprised). Tried the US website and it's good. By coincidence I happened to be going to Buffalo, NY today and picked up a jug at a NAPA store.

Thanks for the info.

 

[DVolk]

No problem glad to help , The other stuff is the same just mixed but dont do half the job