It is coming close to the time I should change the coolant on my 97 F150 4.6 auto 4x4 w/193400 miles. My question is should I attempt it myself or take it in and have it done by a mechanic? I don't want to srew something up by doing it myself. Where would be the best place to go? Dealership or repair shop?

 

There is nothing to it. there is a petcock on the lower P. side of the radiator that will drain the system. If you aren't going to put a cleaner and water in for a few days I like to run a garden hose into the thermostat housing and wash the engine out for a few minutes. Then pull the hose and let the water drain out, close the petcock and put in 50/50 mix of coolant and water. I put in an extra half gallon or so of coolant to make up for the water that is still in the block. It should take around 6 gallons total. Replace the thermostat and hoses at the same time if they are due.

If all that seems like a lot a dealer will probably do it for under $100, T stat and hoses not included in that price.

 

I am a mechanic, and I say do it yourself. Pretty much what galaxie said is the way to do it. You definitely want to drain the system, sometimes its easier just to pull off the lower radiator hose and let everything drain that way.

When you refill remove the radiator cap and start the truck, pour it until it is full, and then as the motor heats up it will start to cycle the coolant and you will need to pour more in. after about 15-20 mins top you should be hot and full. Put the cap on and check the level in the reservoir tank.

 

Our trucks dont have thoes...


I put the garden hose in the reserve tank, opened the radiator drain and let the truck run while keeping the reserve tank full. Let it run and continue this process until the fluid comes out clean.

 

whatever, same thing.

 

I pull the engine block drain plug on the drivers side, also. Dumps at least 1/2 of the water in the block. A lot of water remains in the block if the drain plugs aren't pulled, because there is a lot of water jacket below the level of the radiator drain plug or water pump intake height. The block drain on the pass. side is behind the starter, so I leave that one alone. I figure 1/2 is better than none. My truck is 2WD, don't know if anything is in the way of the drivers side plug on a 4WD. Easy to find the plug, look around the freeze plugs, towards the rear end of the block. When you pull the drain plug, expect a gusher!