Help! Antifreeze Change

[rogerblind]

I started to change my antifreeze today and hit a problem before I really got started. After seaching for a while, I finally located the "rinky-dink" plastic raditor drain valve. Problem is, I can't get anything out of it. I managed to turn it 90 gerees counter- clockwise, and still nothing! How do you get the thing open??

 

[trning]

antifreeze

I don't know what type of drain valve is on the radiator but I want to warn you about what type of coolant to use in your truck. Do not use extended life coolant. The extended life coolant looks like fruit punch and Cummins does not recomend using it. I've been to several engine classes at the Cummins dealer in Los Angeles and they warn about using extended life coolant. It eats up o-rings and seals and it will trash your water pump. Believe me your better off using the old green stuff. I'm going to see what type of radiator drain valve is on my truck.

 

[MoparDave]

If my memory servers my correct, you need to pull down slightly on the fitting. The petcock may be plugged as well.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I just changed mine a couple of weeks ago. Pull OUT with pliers while turning. Seems to latch up about every 1/4 turn. Will actually turn about 360 degrees before it drains good.



Note: NAPA antifreeze with "Alu Guard" is labeled as approved for use in Cummins. Not very expensive either.

 

[John]

trning, in addition to ethylene glycol based anti-freeze/coolant, you can also use propylene glycol based anti-freeze/coolant (per Cummins AND Dodge... per a TSB). In fact, Cummins sells their "Compleat" anti-freeze/coolant in four different versions: ethylene glycol pre-mix, ethylene glycol concentrate, propylene glycol pre-mix and propylene concentrate.



Myself, I'm using Amsoil proplyene glycol.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

When I changed my coolant, I used the Fleetguard Compleat 50/50 pre-mix. Great stuff, as it is mixed with deionized water. I noticed my water temp is about 5° cooler ever since I changed the coolent 15,000 miles ago.

 

[rogerblind]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I need to turn the valve more than 90 degrees. I already had pliers on it to do that, and I was afraid I would break DC's 5 cent valve if I went any further. I'll try again tomorrow. BTW, I'm using plain old Prestone in the yellow jug.