Cooler reverse flush
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk, VA
Cooler reverse flush
I have a 2006 CC SB 4X4 and recently my deltas approached 13 on the highway with 10 around town. I don't have the cash to do everything right now. Has anyone ever had success with doing a cooler reverse flush?
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 3
From: SW Florida
Been there, done that....didn't work for me. Although at the time I also (water only...no chemicals) flushed the system and changed to CAT ELC coolant. Mine will see 13 on the highway but 4-6 in town. It hasn't gotten any worse...that was almost 2 years ago.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,402
Likes: 114
From: Tuscaloosa, AL
Wrong coolant is green. Gold or red should be good .... although some red has silicates.
Delts need to be measured at steady state after warming up at least 20 minutes, running a steady 65 mph on as flat a road as you can find for about ten miles. Anything else means little.
A 13 delta is not bad, so don't hesitate to drive it. If you have an EGR delete, don't worry about it unless your EOT is pushing over 235F.
If it were mine, I wouldn't hesitate to drive it and even tow with it .... IF it has an EGR delete. When the EOT hits 245 you can back off and let it cool. If you don't have an EGR delete, 13 is ok if you don't run it hard for long periods.
Most people push deltas of 20 or more before doing something about it.
Delts need to be measured at steady state after warming up at least 20 minutes, running a steady 65 mph on as flat a road as you can find for about ten miles. Anything else means little.
A 13 delta is not bad, so don't hesitate to drive it. If you have an EGR delete, don't worry about it unless your EOT is pushing over 235F.
If it were mine, I wouldn't hesitate to drive it and even tow with it .... IF it has an EGR delete. When the EOT hits 245 you can back off and let it cool. If you don't have an EGR delete, 13 is ok if you don't run it hard for long periods.
Most people push deltas of 20 or more before doing something about it.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 105
Likes: 1
From: Suffolk, VA
No EGR delete and my EOT sits at 190 or 191. I was planning on pulling it and changing it this spring but will see how the temps go. In my mind max delta is 15 and 20 means no-go.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
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From: Middle Tn.
That don't sound right at all.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 6
From: Sioux Falls, SD
On your 2006, have you had the wrench light come on when the Coolant/oil temp Delta is at its highest value?
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
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From: Virginia Beach VA
To back flush correctly, you'll need to remove the water pump or risk all the flushed particulates you loosened being flushed through the heater core... another great filter for catching silicates.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,426
Likes: 6
From: Sioux Falls, SD
The tech folder has a great write up with pics to back flush the oil cooler, radiator & heater core. I would consider doing them all instead of just the oil cooler. Personally, I didn't see any change in the oil & coolant delta after following the flush & back flush procedures, but I didn't expect any. It was just part of the steps taken before installing a coolant filter & getting ready for an oil cooler change.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 13
From: Virginia Beach VA
The tech folder has a great write up with pics to back flush the oil cooler, radiator & heater core. I would consider doing them all instead of just the oil cooler. Personally, I didn't see any change in the oil & coolant delta after following the flush & back flush procedures, but I didn't expect any. It was just part of the steps taken before installing a coolant filter & getting ready for an oil cooler change.
If you didn't expect any change, why bother? This is about a 6 hour procedure, remove the water pump and all?
If your going to change the cooler, the back flush is a waste of time IMO. I think you would be further ahead to chemically flush everything, then change the cooler. Spend all the time back flushing and still have to change the cooler, that 6 hours of work gets you a very good portion of the oil cooler change completed.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
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From: Middle Tn.
My math says you are running at least a 20 degree differential.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Straight flush, no reverse flush, add a coolant filter, run for six months to a year watching deltas, then change cooler when needed. This way, you ensure you system is clean prior to new cooler going in. My $0.02