Flashing Cooling system
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Flashing Cooling system
hello guys, i like to change coolant in my 05 e-150 with 5.4L v8 and back heating ( small aditional radiator) i know the whole system takes around 7 gal of anti-freeze but how much i really need to change it, i would like to drain just with removing the plug from radiator, please let me know thx
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
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if its worth changing it, its worth changing it all, right? assuming you agree, drain it, fill it with the garden hose, open the drain while using the garden hose to keep it full, then have a buddy start the engine and let it run for several minutes. if necessary, you may focus your efforts on the heater core(s) or radiator by connecting your garden hose to its outlet port and force any contamination back out the inlet.
once you're satisfied, drain as much as you can from the radiator drain then start adding full-strength antifreeze. expect to use 4 gallons, and top off with water if needed.
once you're satisfied, drain as much as you can from the radiator drain then start adding full-strength antifreeze. expect to use 4 gallons, and top off with water if needed.
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If i drain thru radiator plug on bottom coolant from rear radiator will come out also or i have to disconnect the line to drain back? And i will buy motorcraft ready coolant so i will not mix with water
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it might drain if you're lucky but i wouldn't count on it. you can disconnect a line back there to be sure.
i prefer to use full-strength coolant in part because i can flush things out with water and not have to worry about purging all the rinse water. with pre-mixed, and water left in the system will dilute your coolant to less than the ideal mix. also, the full strength only costs a little bit more per gallon, but is worth twice as much.
if you choose a pre-mixed coolant, then you should either avoid rinsing the system with water, or extract as much water as you possibly can before adding coolant. sometimes compressed air helps with this, other times disconnecting extra things does the job. but of course, i'm hesitant to disconnect things i'm not ready to replace...
i prefer to use full-strength coolant in part because i can flush things out with water and not have to worry about purging all the rinse water. with pre-mixed, and water left in the system will dilute your coolant to less than the ideal mix. also, the full strength only costs a little bit more per gallon, but is worth twice as much.
if you choose a pre-mixed coolant, then you should either avoid rinsing the system with water, or extract as much water as you possibly can before adding coolant. sometimes compressed air helps with this, other times disconnecting extra things does the job. but of course, i'm hesitant to disconnect things i'm not ready to replace...
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Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Outside of Memphis, TN
Premix coolant can be expensive, check the price on concentrate.
If you only open the radiator plug, you are not flushing the system, you are just draining and changing. If you want to flush the system this way, drain the coolant and replace with water. Run the engine till its hot, with the front and rear heat running. Allow it to cool and drain this second flush. Then refill the system as required, while burping air and allowing the engine to run.
I use an alternate method. I drain the system, remove the thermostat, and cut the lower radiator line. I adapt a garden hose to fit, and force water at pressure through the whole system. A new lower hose, a new thermostat (might as well replace it!) and gasket, then refill as needed. Works well for me.
I use distilled water when refilling my cooling system. If you use regular tap water it will reduce the effectiveness of the corrosion protection in your coolant, sometimes by as much as half.
If you only open the radiator plug, you are not flushing the system, you are just draining and changing. If you want to flush the system this way, drain the coolant and replace with water. Run the engine till its hot, with the front and rear heat running. Allow it to cool and drain this second flush. Then refill the system as required, while burping air and allowing the engine to run.
I use an alternate method. I drain the system, remove the thermostat, and cut the lower radiator line. I adapt a garden hose to fit, and force water at pressure through the whole system. A new lower hose, a new thermostat (might as well replace it!) and gasket, then refill as needed. Works well for me.
I use distilled water when refilling my cooling system. If you use regular tap water it will reduce the effectiveness of the corrosion protection in your coolant, sometimes by as much as half.
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Junior User
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Thank you for tips and ill try to do full flashing and motorcraft gold anti-freeze witch is recomended ready to use i found for 14$ per gallon its not bad but i need like 7 gallons lol thank you guys
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thats pretty expensive by my standards. i'm paying $10/gallon for full strength, its a generic brand, but its good for everything, even diesels.
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Yea i was watching shell red color witch is good for diesel also and is 11$ but im thinking to get the spareradiator plug some ppl saying they like to brake so any way im heading to ford service so ill pick the motorcraft anti freeze
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