Anyone have a method on changing the antifreeze in these trucks? To my knowledge it's never been changed since we've had it and it's really dark green. Any suggestions?

 

This is how I do it, hopefully I remember everything:

Open petcock on the bottom P. side of radiator, be careful it is only plastic

Now take the lower radiator hose off of the radiator.

Pull the upper radiator hose off of the engine and remove the T-stat.

Take your garden hose and run water through the block until clear, do the same with the radiator.

Replace hoses and T-stat, the lower hose on the engine side is a PITA.

With the lower hose replaced you can put a gallon of coolant in the radiator through the upper hose if you want. After a gallon of coolant figure you have a pretty good 50/50 mix taking the water left in the eengine into account.

Tighten all hoses and start filling the degas bottle with 50/50 mix coolant and water, it won't take as much as you'd think. You can squeeze the upper hose to get some of the air out of the radiator and suck fluid into the hose.

Now for air bubbles a lot of people leave the degas bottle cap off and let the engine idle until the T-stat opens and the system will burp itself. I've personally never had a problem with air bubbles by just filling the system and checking the fluid level after the first drive.

You can also pull the plugs out of the block to drain coolant. You can also drain the coolant and put in 100% water with a bottle of that cleaner and drive for about a week with it then flush the system. This may be good for yours if it has never been flushed before. This also requires it to not get below freezing for that week.

 

Great steps... remember that antifreeze is super lethal to dogs and cats and they will try to drink it. Be sure to get rid of it properly, even a little can kill them.

 

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I also take out the block plug on the lower driver side as well....but Galaxie pretty much nailed it.

 

You guys haven't let me down yet (knock on wood). Prestone and tap water OK? Thanks again.

 

distilled water from the grocery store is a littlbe better. has no calcium or minerals that will plate out when it gets hot. not a big dea, but every little bit helps.

 

You should only put distilled water with the anti-freeze.....too much crap in just plain tap water. The no brainer way is to buy pre-mixed....but half the cost is just water.

Edit: Steve beat me to it.

 

Should I replace the gasket and RTV or is it ok recycle the old one? I'm a little above novice but not exactly an expert.

 

The new T-stat will come with a new gasket IIRC, or an O ring I can't remember which the modulars have. It is one of about 6 different engines I do and I can't remember which it has but the Thermostat should come with a new one be it gasket or O ring.

 

Where do you guys get rid of your old coolant?

Mike

 

I dropped mine off at the local landfill....they have both used oil and antifreeze tanks.

 

The autoparts store usually takes it

 

My auto parts stores don't take anything but used engine oil. I have a 5 gallon bucket of ATF that is sitting around because they won't take it. Heck, they even complain when I bring them 5 gallons of used engine oil. I usually have to argue with them to take it.

I think I'll just let the dealer flush the coolant and start mixing the ATF into the used engine oil.

Mike

 

I have the local mechanic do it. $38.00