Draining the block on a 5.9

[WWomack]

I have an 04 5. 9, and I want to change the coolant. I am going to use Delo EC1 (the red stuff). But I can only find it in the 50/50 premix. I looked for the concentrate but no luck. My question is once I flush the block and radiator how can I get the water out of the block so I can add the 50/50 Delo EC1 coolant that is already diluted?? I guess I could remove the water pump and fish a hose in thru and siphon all the water I can get out? Any ideas??



Anybody ever got all or most of the water out of the block?



Thanks

 

[BHaner]

I have jacked up the back of the truck.



That helps to get everything to the front.

 

[MickeyMiller]

Drill a hole near the bottom of the water jacket... just kidding. Drain the cooling system via the pepcock on the bottom of the radiator. Make sure the heater is set on full hot. Leave the pepcock open, remove the thermostat housing, and thermostat. Blow compressed air through the system from the thermostat opening (with the radiator cap on) to push out some of the residual old anti freeze. Pour a gallon of 50/50 premix in through the thermostat opening... about 3/4 of a gallon will flow out. Close the pepcock, replace the thermostat, and fill with the 7 gallons of your favorite mix!

 

[Turbo_Bob]

I think there is a threaded plug near the freeze plug on the block, to be able to drain the block ? Looks like an Allen drive plug ? Passenger side of block.



I am draining my radiator right now, by the lower pitcock, it is taking forever.

I have the heater control on full, left the radiator cap ON like the manual says to do, the overflow tank is slowly going down on its level too. The manual says to leave the radiator cap on until the overflow tank is empty, then remove the cap. It should then drain real fast with the cap off.



I would also like to remove all the original fluid in the block, does anybody know if that is a block drain plug like I described above? What size is the Allen, how tight is it, may be impossible to remove with DIY tools on ones back on the floor?



The joker at the Dodge dealer said all I need is two gallons of HOAT, but in the manual and TDR magazine says: 7. 3 gallons capacity of 50/50 OR 6. 5 gallons of 50/50 with a normal drain/refill. I think I will need to go back and buy another gallon of HOAT and another gallon of distilled water.



2003. 5 year 3500 with manual trans.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Where is everyone disposing of the anti-freeze? I like to be ECO-friendly and don't want to kill any dogs, cats or other animals either.

 

[Turbo_Bob]

I think the auto part stores that take used oil will take used radiator fluid ?

 

[Turbo_Bob]

I skiped the block draining, just drained the radiator and overflow tank, removed around 5-1/2 gallons of fluid. The fluid was clean and redish in color. The new fluid is orange in color.



I added 1. 5 gallons HOAT and 1. 5 gallons distilled water to top off the neck and overflow tank. Drove the truck ten miles, OAT was 40F, took along time for the temps to come up. Then all of a sudden the temp gauge started going past normal to hot. Pulled over and waited for the engine to cool off. The fluid in the tank never did get sucked back into the radiator. What I did was remove the cap, had alot of air build up in there. The level of the radiator was only half full when looking into it, big air-lock. Added another 1 gallon of HOAT and another 1 gallon of distilled water. So now there is 2. 5 of new HOAT and 2. 5 of new water, total of 5 gallons. I think I have another 1/2 gallon to add to the overflow tank when the fluid gets sucked back into the radiator.