Coolant change!
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 182
Likes: 31
From: San Jose, CA
Coolant change!
When in doubt ask the pros. I plan on changing the coolant and while I'm at it I plan on changing the top and btm radiator hoses and the heater hoses. I will also be installing the 203 degree thermostat while I'm in there. My questions is this - On adding new coolant how much additive do I add in? I suspect there is a ratio of additive to coolant but I haven't been able to find any info at all. Thanks in advance for your help. 
Skip
'96 350 w/ 215,000, CC dually 5 speed w/410's, K&N, tymar downpipe & cat free
Skip'96 350 w/ 215,000, CC dually 5 speed w/410's, K&N, tymar downpipe & cat free
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 6
From: Rio Rancho NM
IIRC I added about 24oz of NAPACool when I did a coolant change a few months ago. The bottle will tell you how much to add, and make sure you verify it with coolant strips, also available at NAPA.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 6
From: Rio Rancho NM
You're welcome. I should have added before you use a test strip, to run the engine long enough to heat it up and get the t-stat to open, otherwise the additive may not be disbursed evenly throughout the cooling system. I drove mine about 10 miles just to be sure. The 7.3 cooling system works so well it may never heat up idling in the driveway!
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1
From: Rogue River, OR
You might consider replacing the thermostat housing along with the pump. The housings are so thin they only have one side and are prone to leak after they have been R & R'd.
TJ has a trick that he says works for him and that is to take a long steel drift, place it on top of the housing screws and give each one a sharp hit with a big hammer to break them loose in hopes that they won't shear off when you attempt to take them out. If you keep your extension straight and apply a steady, slow pressure they will generally break loose without a problem. In fact they almost sound like a gun shot when they break loose.
If they should break replace them with a hardened screw and apply anti-seize.
Good luck & don't forget to place a larger piece of corrugated cardboard between the fan and radiator to protect the radiator from an OH *****.
Rog
TJ has a trick that he says works for him and that is to take a long steel drift, place it on top of the housing screws and give each one a sharp hit with a big hammer to break them loose in hopes that they won't shear off when you attempt to take them out. If you keep your extension straight and apply a steady, slow pressure they will generally break loose without a problem. In fact they almost sound like a gun shot when they break loose.
If they should break replace them with a hardened screw and apply anti-seize.
Good luck & don't forget to place a larger piece of corrugated cardboard between the fan and radiator to protect the radiator from an OH *****.
Rog
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 1
From: Lubbock, Texas
What kind of additive is this? What does it do?
When I changed my coolant I only used 50% anti-freeze and 50% h20....Do I need to go back and add some of this additive?
-Chris
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1
From: Rogue River, OR
It is to protect the engine from coolant cavitation. They are tiny little air bubbles that attach the cyl. liners and eventually eat tiny little holes in the liners. Bad news.
I have some info on it, I'll look it up.
Rog
I have some info on it, I'll look it up.
Rog
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 1
From: Rogue River, OR
My success at having these work is about 1 out of 5. Try this:
www.penray.com/images/Penraytechfacts_1.pdf
Rog
www.penray.com/images/Penraytechfacts_1.pdf
Rog
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 182
Likes: 31
From: San Jose, CA
I will change out the coolant,lthermostat/housing and hoses next week after a trip to S. California. I ordered Fleetgard collant on line with cavitation additive in the mix for $12/gal (50/50). Anxious to see how she will run with the 203 degree thermostat. Anything to squeeze a few xtra miles out of a gallon.
