Antifreeze flush
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,552
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From: va
Antifreeze flush
Hi guys, I just picked up a truck this winter and I don't know when any of the fluids were changed. By the way the antifreeze still looks green. Should I have the shop flush it, and use a mild radiator cleaner? Truck has 100,000 miles. Should I change the radiator hoses and thermostat to be safe? Can I tell by feel if the radiator hoses will last a while, if so how?
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks,
Mike
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,759
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From: Pleasant Hill, MO
If the hoses look good, I'd just do a flush at home myself with the ole garden hose adapter trick. If the hoses look rough, go ahead and replace them, whether you do it, or the shop. While you're at that point, it's pretty easy to flush things out.
Ryan
Ryan
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,545
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From: Coal Region
my rule of thumb, if there is any doubt...replace them. at 100K, id just replace them for piece of mind. but if they dont have any buldges in them and dont feel dry rotted u should be ok.
id place the t-stat with a 195* unit, thats the stock degree for our trucks. and id try the home flush, its simple and shouldnt take long to do. just be sure to properly dispose of the coolant.
id place the t-stat with a 195* unit, thats the stock degree for our trucks. and id try the home flush, its simple and shouldnt take long to do. just be sure to properly dispose of the coolant.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 342
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get prestone radiator flush and follow the instructions. Use green anti-freeze 50/50 to refill. Make sure you get all the air out of the system.
The additives in anti-freeze have a bout a 3 year life, so no matter what the mileage, you should flush and change about every 3 years.
The additives in anti-freeze have a bout a 3 year life, so no matter what the mileage, you should flush and change about every 3 years.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: va
It's dark BROWN/ GREEN real dirty. So far I got 10 gallons flushed out with 2 container of Super Preston flush/ cleaner. It's now light brown but I can't see through the gallon clear container. How much more should come out before I can see through the container? I'm running out of gallon containers 
Do i have to do the following, if it doesn't get better, but i didn't want to spill any on the ground.
"Remove the lower radiator hose from the radiator and flush the radiator from the top down then remove a heater hose and flush that until the water coming from the engine is clear".
Do i have to do the following, if it doesn't get better, but i didn't want to spill any on the ground.
"Remove the lower radiator hose from the radiator and flush the radiator from the top down then remove a heater hose and flush that until the water coming from the engine is clear".
New User
Joined: Jun 2006
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Please make sure that you use distilled water when mixing with ethyleen gycol instead of tap water to prevent the development of rust brought by electrolysis. It is so costly to replace heater core. Thanks!
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: va
thanks i got 2 gallons already may need more. i'm up to 18 gallons out still brownish. I ran a water through the top heater hose. What about the 2 gallons a hose water left after complete draining, i can't get that out right?
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