Cooling System Service Questions

[Boaring1961]

I have a 2005 with 151k miles and this weekend I was considering doing a full cooling system maintenance, which is going to include all new hoses (including heater hoses), water pump, thermostat, coolant, and belt tensioner. I already did the serpentine belt.

Is it overkill to replace so much or would I be just fine replacing the coolant and calling it good? My rationale is that all of the components are 13 years old and for peace of mind when I go on my out of state hunting trips.

Is there anything else I should be considering to replace while I'm at it?

 

[Wayne M.]

I think that's a good plan. You left out possibly the most important item- the coolant. Is the original mix? Then you need the right stuff. Don't get sold on the "everything compatible" prestone junk.

 

[Motorhead]

I think you are doing the right thing. Get a genuine Cummins pump AND thermostat. They are made in USA. I use the MOPAR coolant and have had good results with it. I would highly recommend pulling your radiator so you can clean out the cooling fins as well. I spray the fins liberally with Purple power or Castrol Super Clean, let it soak 10 minutes then carefully back flush the radiator fins with a high pressure hose nozzle. DO NOT spray the fins other that STRAIGHT on to not bend the fins over. You can back wash the inter-cooler, AC condenser and auto trans aux cooler if you have it, in frame without removal.
You won't get 100% of the flush water out of the engine block so buy the concentrate coolant not the 50/50 mix. Find the cooling system capacity which I believe is 28 quarts and put 1/2 of the total capacity, of the antifreeze concentrate in first then top it off with distilled water. Don't be surprised if it only takes about 2 gallons of distilled water.

 

[Boaring1961]

Thanks for the comments guys. I do have the correct coolant and genuine Cummins water pump and thermostat.

Is removing the entire radiator a big deal? Is there a link or youtube video on the removal?

Thanks

 

[p-Bar]

Be sure you burp it to get all the air out of the system. Oh yeah don't touch the petcock to drain as you will never get to reseal, just pull the bottom hose.

 

[Boaring1961]

p-Bar,

A long time ago I had an issue with the air burp on another truck. I heard the technique on our 5.9s is to remove the heater hose on the block to purge the air out. Is that correct?

 

[Wayne M.]

If the new stat has a jiggle pin, that’ll get a lot of air out. Any time I had mine open, a hard run to/ from work and a cool down saw a drop in the expansion tank. I then compensated. Wasn’t drastic, but that did the trick every time.
Alternately, leave off the heater hose on the head, until you fill er up, and that’ll serve as a bleed to ensure the engine is filled. Also, I used pre mixed coolant. So I dont have to worry about mixing water quality.
I posted about my “event” with my rad petcock. I’ll try and link it.

 

[seafish]

IMO, If you find the thread titled "Coolant Flush on a 3rd gen" by member AH64ID you will have all the steps and pics on how to to do it best and right.

Here it is--

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/coolant-flush-on-a-3rd-gen.218402/

 

[Wayne M.]

Here is what happened to me, and how I fixed it.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...-who-will-drain-their-cooling-systems.225752/

 

[seafish]

Dam...the pics don't work on that link...try this one--

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3rd-gen-tech-articles/220514-coolant-flush-3rd-gen.html

 

[p-Bar]

p-Bar,

A long time ago I had an issue with the air burp on another truck. I heard the technique on our 5.9s is to remove the heater hose on the block to purge the air out. Is that correct?

I think there is an allen screw atop the thermostat housing you use . I'll have a look today

 

[Boaring1961]

This past weekend I did the big cooling system service and overall it went fine. There were some tricky parts with accessing some of the hose clamps, but in the end it was all replaced. Right now I'm in the process of draining the water until I reach a clear batch and then I'll fill the radiator with just coolant.