Engine Coolant replacement
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by ozx3+1
Hey, BeachBumCook-
Got a follow on question...
2) Loosen and drop lower radiator hose from radiator and drain?
I don't want the neighbors to have a fit! Is coolant bad for the sewer intake/critters/noisy old lady neighbors? If I can just uncap and let this stuff fly, my job just got a lot easier!
Got a follow on question...
2) Loosen and drop lower radiator hose from radiator and drain?
I don't want the neighbors to have a fit! Is coolant bad for the sewer intake/critters/noisy old lady neighbors? If I can just uncap and let this stuff fly, my job just got a lot easier!
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by ozx3+1
Hey, BeachBumCook-
Got a follow on question...
2) Loosen and drop lower radiator hose from radiator and drain?
I don't want the neighbors to have a fit! Is coolant bad for the sewer intake/critters/noisy old lady neighbors? If I can just uncap and let this stuff fly, my job just got a lot easier!
Got a follow on question...
2) Loosen and drop lower radiator hose from radiator and drain?
I don't want the neighbors to have a fit! Is coolant bad for the sewer intake/critters/noisy old lady neighbors? If I can just uncap and let this stuff fly, my job just got a lot easier!
I let it drop on the side of my yard/street. It killed a little grass and I watered it down and away as I worked due to my dog. The rule is to collect it and recyle it.... but hey... do what your comfortable with. I have always just let it go down the sewer drain... but I am sure I have violated many EPA rules.... oops.
Might catch the first drain as it is the most concentrated... then with each subsequent one it is mostly distilled water.
Last edited by Beachbumcook; Mar 30, 2007 at 11:26 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,798
Likes: 2
From: SoCal, SD CO. East
Originally Posted by Beachbumcook
Well... your tree hugger!!!!
Originally Posted by Beachbumcook
Might catch the first drain as it is the most concentrated... then with each subsequent one it is mostly distilled water.
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by ozx3+1
Not likely! I just can't afford fines, jail time, retributive neighbors...
Yup, that's what I was thinking. I'm not sure where I'll put the first 7 gallons, but I'm sure it'll find a new "special" home
Yup, that's what I was thinking. I'm not sure where I'll put the first 7 gallons, but I'm sure it'll find a new "special" home
Just think about all the broken radiator hoses and radiators that blow.... where does all that coolant go????? Dump it on the ground and get-er-done!!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,798
Likes: 2
From: SoCal, SD CO. East
Originally Posted by Beachbumcook
Hey during the day when people are at work is a great time!!!!
Just think about all the broken radiator hoses and radiators that blow.... where does all that coolant go????? Dump it on the ground and get-er-done!!!!
Just think about all the broken radiator hoses and radiators that blow.... where does all that coolant go????? Dump it on the ground and get-er-done!!!!
BTW... Ford "GOLD" coolant must contain real gold in SoCal... It's $17.50/gal + tax... That's $19.03/gal!! $75.00!!!
However, with a GOOD flush, it's OK to use "in spec" coolants after a complete evacuation of the system. I'm told that bum is correct in his methods of using ~16 gallons of distiled H2O to get the job done. This constitutes a complete system evac.
Last edited by OZX1; Mar 30, 2007 at 11:54 AM.
Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
Make sure you don't dump the coolant where animals can lap it up, it will kill them. Also don't dump it in the ground where there is an aquifer as it can contaminate well water.
www.aa1car.com/library/coolant2.htm
I'm no enviro-wacko, but if you can find a place that will take the used coolant it would be better.
EDIT: Since you live in Kali - www.green.ca.gov/EPP/Vehicles/Antifreeze.htm
www.aa1car.com/library/coolant2.htm
I'm no enviro-wacko, but if you can find a place that will take the used coolant it would be better.
EDIT: Since you live in Kali - www.green.ca.gov/EPP/Vehicles/Antifreeze.htm
Last edited by Kep4; Mar 30, 2007 at 11:59 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,798
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From: SoCal, SD CO. East
Originally Posted by Kepler4
Make sure you don't dump the coolant where animals can lap it up, it will kill them. Also don't dump it in the ground where there is an aquifer as it can contaminate well water.
www.aa1car.com/library/coolant2.htm
I'm no enviro-wacko, but if you can find a place that will take the used coolant it would be better.
www.aa1car.com/library/coolant2.htm
I'm no enviro-wacko, but if you can find a place that will take the used coolant it would be better.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 93
From: VA/NH
Originally Posted by Kepler4
Make sure you don't dump the coolant where animals can lap it up, it will kill them. Also don't dump it in the ground where there is an aquifer as it can contaminate well water.
I'm no enviro-wacko, but if you can find a place that will take the used coolant it would be better.
I'm no enviro-wacko, but if you can find a place that will take the used coolant it would be better.
Beachbum, the coolant being "used up" is debatable. I agree that you shouldn't use it over again, but if it's "lifetime" coolant, in theroy it never gets "used up" right?
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Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 21
Originally Posted by sgthawkusmc
I would second this one... I'm not a tree hugger either, but that's just something you shouldn't do. Besides, this is what causes all the liberals to freak out and start making harsher laws to restrict things we can and can't do. Accidents happen, but doing it on purpose... not cool.
Beachbum, the coolant being "used up" is debatable. I agree that you shouldn't use it over again, but if it's "lifetime" coolant, in theroy it never gets "used up" right?
Beachbum, the coolant being "used up" is debatable. I agree that you shouldn't use it over again, but if it's "lifetime" coolant, in theroy it never gets "used up" right?
The additives in coolant are there to protect the various metal parts and to discharge electrical properties between the iron, aluminum and other components in the motor. No coolant is lifetime and even Ford states 100,000 miles on factory fill and 50,000 miles thereafter (due to using tap water).
Chemicals breakdown and wear out over time and with the stress of heat, cavitation, sediment and "other stuff"... flushing one's system is a goof thing and filtering it with a coolant filter (and flushing) is a great thing!!!
Check out my gallery for pics of what my coolant filter took out of my system after 6,000 miles and this ws after I flushed the system we are describing in this thread... so even after flushing... there is a lot of sand and other abrassive stuff in there!!!
If one does not use a filter, then flushing is the next best way to try and remove this sediment... which I am sure reacts in some bad way )at some level) with the coolant????
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
I suppose the guys who feel OK dumping the coolant feel OK dumping the engine oil too. Please don't give us any lame excuses like it is "Just to hard" to dispose of easily. Get containers and "get 'er done" properly. Tree hugging has nothing to do with being courteous to neighbors and wildlife.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,915
Likes: 3,625
Difference between coolants ...... VC-A and VC-B
VC-B coolant has a bittering agent to keep animals from drinking the coolant.
VC-A does not have the bittering agent.
Both are poisonous, VC-B supposedly tastes so bad animals will not drink it.
VC-B coolant has a bittering agent to keep animals from drinking the coolant.
VC-A does not have the bittering agent.
Both are poisonous, VC-B supposedly tastes so bad animals will not drink it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 90
From: SE. MA
if you have city sewer and not a septic tank, just dump it down your slop sink or flush it down the toilet.... thats what treatment plants are for! belive me some of your cleaning chemicals are worse that the antifreeze!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,798
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From: SoCal, SD CO. East
There was an easy and safe answer
The 5-or-so gallons of old coolant stayed safely in a bucket for a week. After a few phone calls, I found that my local PepBoys could take it in for recycling, free of charge. Done deal.
The dump it into the drain thing will get you tossed into the jailhouse here in SoCal.
The dump it into the drain thing will get you tossed into the jailhouse here in SoCal.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 120
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I'm not a chemist, but I do have children. I really don't want that stuff coming back around. The sewer treatment plants have to dispose of their 'liquid' as well somewhere. It all comes back around in a circle to be re-used by humans again. I doubt the chemicals at the sewer treatment plant that were designed for 'natural' breakdown processes cannot break down anti-freeze. Please just recycle it for free. It's free.