Time for coolant change...question

[Ben S]

Never mind... did some searches and answered my own questions... should've done that to start with I guess

 

[Motorhead]

If you DON'T want to have to buy a NEW radiator then DON'T use the radiator drain valve!
Many stories here about the drain valve stripping, breaking and anything except doing what it is supposed to do. GENTLY remove the lower radiator hose and drain that way or pull the radiator out.
Use the right coolant, HOAT

 

[AH64ID]

Coolant Flush on a 3rd Gen

 

[DaveHess]

AH64ID: First I want to thank you for your excellent write up on coolant change about 3 years ago. I printed and used it. You were spot on and after 4 flushes I found my "point of diminishing return". The only problem I encountered is now when I check my anti-freeze with one of those cheap Prestone checkers, it reads off the scale telling me my mix is over 50/50. I drove the truck with a brand new thermostat and you were right about the temp being more stable and I would dare say a little lower than normal at 90 degrees ambient,60 MPH with the A/C on. But the mixture bothers me. When I returned from my 30 mile test drive, I let the engine cool, and removed the new cap. I had to add about another 1/2 gallon of distilled water to get it to the top of the radiator. Am I worrying over nothing???

 

[AH64ID]

I bought one of the little cheap testers too and I think it did the same thing. I wonder if they don't work with HOAT??

Not surprising you had to add a little more water, there was probably a small air pocket.

 

[DaveHess]

After testing without adding the additional distilled water, I figured adding the extra 1/2 gallon water would not hurt the mixture. I haven't driven the truck since Sunday but I am getting ready to pull the TT to Denver for vacation. Prior to this maintenance, the temp gauge would sit just about straight up at 200. Now it sits a little below the 200, enough so I can see white gauge face between the needle and the 200 mark. Very pleased with that. I noticed in your write-up that you did not or didn not annotate an issue with that Radiator drain. After the third drain, I could not get the plug to thread back in. I wriggled it all the way out until it was laying in my hand (panic moment), pushed it back in the drain and it threaded right in. PFM I guess! I have avoided this maintenance for the past two years because it intimidated me. Thanks again for the write-up.