1984 Cooling Issue
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From: Victor, MT
1984 Cooling Issue
My 84 F-250 has this idk what i would call it, but it looks like a sediment in the radiator. It was also about 2.5 quarts of coolant short. This made me angry because i know it doesnt burn coolant. Am I supposed to keep this full at the brim? And what is involved with completely flushing the cooling system? I am thinking about doing that, i have the shop for it i just need to do it, and help with the best way to go about addressing this issue.
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From: Ohio
Pull the bottom hose off the radiator.
Let liquid drain out. (careful or you'll get a bath)
Reattach hose.
Fill radiator with water (clean water).
Drive around a minute or so.
Repeat several times. And the last time, replace with antifreeze to your desired mixture.
Let liquid drain out. (careful or you'll get a bath)
Reattach hose.
Fill radiator with water (clean water).
Drive around a minute or so.
Repeat several times. And the last time, replace with antifreeze to your desired mixture.
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From: Massachusetts
I'm not sure I'd add tap water to the radiator, to my understanding you want to keep tap water out and use only distilled water, like from the grocery store.
I've had a radiator go out and a water pump go out at seperate times this summer, so I replaced the coolant each time with fresh stuff...50% distilled water and 50% standard green coolant and the required amount of SCA's...NapaKool.
My 85 is a 27 quart system according to my Chilton's book, that's 1 quart shy of 7 gallons.
When I flushed my first IDI 2 summers ago I just follwed the directions on the flush bottle, and I believe I did use tap water. But for the $1 and some change for a bottle of distilled water, I'd say buy all the distilled water they've got off the shelves, then go rob the next grocerty store fro all they've got!
Tap water is what we're trying to avoid, and it will just make the SCA's a waste as I've read.
I've had a radiator go out and a water pump go out at seperate times this summer, so I replaced the coolant each time with fresh stuff...50% distilled water and 50% standard green coolant and the required amount of SCA's...NapaKool.
My 85 is a 27 quart system according to my Chilton's book, that's 1 quart shy of 7 gallons.
When I flushed my first IDI 2 summers ago I just follwed the directions on the flush bottle, and I believe I did use tap water. But for the $1 and some change for a bottle of distilled water, I'd say buy all the distilled water they've got off the shelves, then go rob the next grocerty store fro all they've got!
Tap water is what we're trying to avoid, and it will just make the SCA's a waste as I've read.
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well i worked at a few shops and there we did power flushs around 80 90 bucks if u did that u could just add ur scas and be done wit it... or they sell those flush kits at most auto parts stores that come wit a tee and u hook a hose to it and flush it out that way about 10 bucks.. or drain and fill, thats how we do it at toyota... but the hole tap water thing makes me curious
Cargo Master
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From: NY
What is the theory between replacing the bottom hose? What if mine is in good shape? Fill coolant with 7 gallons each time with distilled water? How many times do I have to usually repeat emptying and refilling??
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From: Elk City, OK
When i started tearing apart the 91 it had one heater core line that had a tee in it, then a line went from there to the bottom of the radiator it was pluged up completly with junk.
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From: Victor, MT
THanks for the help. Should I replace my thermostat as well? I am thinking its a good idea as well.
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From: Ohio
Fill the radiator with straight water (no antifreeze). I would flush it until the water coming out when you drain it is crystal clear and you can't see any coolant in the water... and then do it again. Should be about at least 3 flushes.
And then of course when you are done flushing it and you want to fill it for the final time, that is when you put in the coolant.
I would say that's your call. If you don't know the last time it was replaced, and your truck is higher on mileage, it might be a good idea.
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From: Victor, MT
I guess I worded that wrong. I meant replace the hose as in put it back, not buy a new one. But I guess if yours is all chewed up or something then it might be worth getting a new one.
Fill the radiator with straight water (no antifreeze). I would flush it until the water coming out when you drain it is crystal clear and you can't see any coolant in the water... and then do it again. Should be about at least 3 flushes.
And then of course when you are done flushing it and you want to fill it for the final time, that is when you put in the coolant.
I would say that's your call. If you don't know the last time it was replaced, and your truck is higher on mileage, it might be a good idea.
Fill the radiator with straight water (no antifreeze). I would flush it until the water coming out when you drain it is crystal clear and you can't see any coolant in the water... and then do it again. Should be about at least 3 flushes.
And then of course when you are done flushing it and you want to fill it for the final time, that is when you put in the coolant.
I would say that's your call. If you don't know the last time it was replaced, and your truck is higher on mileage, it might be a good idea.
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From: Massachusetts
Definetly do the new thermostat while you've got it all drained.
That's one of the few parts that you need to get specifically at International or Ford.
And I recommend International since the 3 Ford dealerships I visted all had parts guys who looked at me like I had 2 heads.
Yes, parts stores like Napa or Carquest have thermostats, but they are known to be an issue.
I didn't want to go to Ford or IH when I flushed my system, so I bought one at the parts house only to be replacing it with an IH one a couple weeks later.
Anybody have other feelings on the tap water issue? I don't want someone who is as crazy as me go through all the hassle if it's not that big of a deal.
That's one of the few parts that you need to get specifically at International or Ford.
And I recommend International since the 3 Ford dealerships I visted all had parts guys who looked at me like I had 2 heads.
Yes, parts stores like Napa or Carquest have thermostats, but they are known to be an issue.
I didn't want to go to Ford or IH when I flushed my system, so I bought one at the parts house only to be replacing it with an IH one a couple weeks later.
Anybody have other feelings on the tap water issue? I don't want someone who is as crazy as me go through all the hassle if it's not that big of a deal.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,493
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From: NY
Tap water shouldn't hurt if its only gonna be in there for a couple of minutes to flush. But your final batch, the stuff you're gonna leave in the truck, use distilled water and coolant (1/2 and 1/2 I think and SCA); there is no reason to cheap out on something like that.
