Is there a best antifreeze?

[BC]

Am about to replace antifreeze next week. What is the best antifreeze to go with?



The shop manual says to use 50-50 of ethylene-Glycol. What brand is best?



Also, how often should radiator hoses be replaced?



Last question, is there a drain valve on the radiator or do I remove one of the radiator hoses?



Thanks,



Bill Cook

 

[Cooker]

You might try a search on this it will bring up a ton of info.



I just changed my antifreeze last weekend. I used pre-mixed John Deere Cool Guard antifreeze. It was $17. 00 for 2. 5 gallons. The Fleetguard ES Complete was $9. 50 for one pre-mixed gallon.



I was able to get 5 gallons out. Open petcock on the bottom of the drivers side of the radiator. Let it drain out of the overflow bottle. Then I removed the hose going to the heater core and blew air into that to force some coolant out. Then I removed the lower radiator hose from the water pump and blew air into the heater core again. Then flushed a little water through the heater core and then flushed with coolant. I buttoned it all back up and filled the system. I only got about 3. 5-4 gallons in at first. I watched the overflow bottle for a couple day and checked the fluid in the radiator and I go another 1-1. 5 gallons in.



Steve St. L has a good write up on how to change the anit-freeze but it wouldn't work on my 12v becasue the thermostat housing is different.



I didn't replace my hoses, but I am thinking about doing it. They did't look or feel bad, but at ~$25 it's worth replacing them.



-Ryan

 

[Eric_77]

I would not use the petcock it is plastic after if you have any mineral deposits it will score the petcock and then it leaks big pain in the neck. I would pull the rad. hose.



I replace my rad hoses every 100k or 3 years. same with belts never had a failure ans as mentioned it is cheap insurance.

 

[BC]

Eric,



Thanks again for the info. Makes good sense.



Bill Cook

 

[The patriot]

BJ's has a good price on Rotella ELC around here. A case is $25. 00!!

Eric

 

[BC]

I'll be replacing the antifreeze today or tomorrow. I'll also replace the hoses. My guess is that the hoses get their problems inside, so even if they look fine on the outside, better to be safe than having to find out if my radiator tape works or not.



So new hoses. Is it also a good idea to replace the thermost at the same time? Guess another rule of thought is: If it ain't broke don't fix it.



Am using distilled water as well. This is right, isn't it?



Thanks.



Bill Cook

 

[Cooker]

I read somewhere that distilled H20 is not that good of an idea. If you live in the city, tap water is just as good if not better. With that said, if it were me I'd prolly use distilled H20. to solve this dilema I buy premixed antifreeze so I don't have to worry about it.



As far as the hoses, I didn't replace mine but I wish I would have. They are so inexpensive you might as well. I just didn't have new ones available when I changed my antifreeze.



I had bought a new stat to replace my old one, but I didn't put it in. I too thought if it aint broke don't fix it. Some members have commented that they always throw in a new stat with new freeze. It's your call.



-Ryan

 

[BK]

Yes your right, it's most common for hoses to fail from the inside out due to age.



An article I read discussed the discovery of a current flow from the radiator to the block via the water. The electrons flow on the outer skin of the water ( known as "skin effect" in the power electronics industry, electrons like to flow on the outer layers of their conductor). The flow of electrons on the outer surface of the water cause "wear" on the inside of the hose. Again explaining why most of the time the weakness of the hose is parrallel with the length of the hose and not the circumference of the hose.



Bob

 

[BC]

Ryan,



I'm out in the country. Our water comes up out of the ground and into the house. No filters inbetween.



I know there are a lot of minerals in the water. When I was the truck, if I don't dry it with a cloth, I get lots and lots of spots.



I didn't buy premix antifreeze, think it would have been a better idea though. Will next time.



I'm still wishey washey about the hoses and thermostat. I've got 122k and everything looks great. I know it's not that much to replace the hoses... "but if it ain't broke" may rule the day.



Will let y'all know.



Bill Cook

 

[Skydiver]

Hard water

Working in the water treatment field for 22 years I would like to add that if your water is soft it should not hurt the radiater. The water at this plant I'm working at now is always very soft(low calcium). 10 miles down the road at home the water comes from limestone wells that is already super-saturated with calcium. That water system adds even more lime(calcium)to remove the carbon dioxide because of the govt's lead copper rule. Yes its hard water,but tastes great. If you are unsure call your local water system and ask what is their hardness.

Tim

 

[BC]

I replaced my antifreeze yesterday. The new antifreeze is sold under the name "Parts Master". It is Ethylene Glycol base with low silicate. My guess is that most antifreeze is made by only a handful of companies and sold under many different names.



I'll let y'all know how it works after we get back from a short trip.



Bill Cook

 

[illflem]

From what I understand all the EG antifreeze in the US was made in two plants, until one burned down, now it comes from one plant. If your water stains the sink and toilet don't use it in the coolent, use distilled. Cooker's remark about not useing distilled is the first time I've heard it. It stands to reason it's true, I heard that distilled isn't good for humans to drink, in the long term it will flush vitimins and minerals out of your body, don't know what that has to do with an engine though. Could be that pure water doesn't transfer heat as well.