What is the proper way of doing a coolant system flush? Do you use plain water or is there an additive used to help with the flush? How many times do you flush the system or do you just keep flushing till the fluid runs clean? How much coolant, diluted to 50/50, is needed to refill the system after flushing is complete?

 

Found this on the site a while back. Plan on doing it this spring.

Here is a flush procedure:

1) Buy 4 galons of Ford Premium Gold coolant at dealer

2) Buy 15 gallons of distilled water at local grocery store.

3) Drop lower radiator hose until empty.

4) Reconnect hose and add distilled water to degas bottle until full.

5) Drive truck until temp guage goes to normal and thermostat opens.

6) Repeat steps #3 through #5 no less than 4 or 5 times (depends on distilled water amount used) - I can't remember?

7) You now have 100% distilled water in you system.

8) Drop lower hose 1 last time, drain and reconnect.

9) Look in manual for your system capacity and for a 50/50% refill of coolant just add the coolant straight into your degas bottle up to the amount that equals a 50/50% concentration (27.5 quarts plus a pint for the coolant filter).

10) Start motor and add distilled water to bring system level to the MIN mark on degas bottle.
11) Drive truck around to open thermostat and let cool 1 or twice to purge any air. May need to add more distilled water... but when done you have flushed your entire system and have a perfect 50/50% concentration of coolant and distilled water!!!!

 

Some areas are pretty strict on disposal of antifreeze. I would check your local folks and it might be cheaper to just take it in and have the shop do the work and disposal.

 

Yep... that is the procedure I posted a couple of years back.

I personally change mine every 50,000 miles which is 1/2 the interval Ford recommends. I even use an aftermarket dieselsite.com coolant filter... but if I did not have one, I would HIGHLY recommend doing it every 50,000 miles... but I like to be proactive in my maintanence.

This way you only use 100% distilled water (which is factory fill) and you will have a perfect 50/50 concentration of antifreeze in your system when your done!!!

FYI - Only use the Ford Premium Gold Coolant found at your Ford dealer. Pricy... but good stuff.

Good luck....

 

BeachBum,

Its nice to see that I am not the only one, and I know there are more of you, that is as **** about maintence. I am going to switch to the Rotella Syntheitc 5w40 next change once it comes back from the dealer. Going through a little cold start issue now and I feel that maybe the 5w40 will help with that...as well as the other bennies

Sarge

 

I run 5W-40 (Rotella-Syn) year round with perfect oil analysis results. For me, it is cheaper than other synthetics and easily available at Walmart. As well, I only use Racor or Motorcraft oil filters and always use fuel additves (PowerService) year-round. Between anti-gel additives and 5W-40 oil, I have never had a cold start issue (plugged in or not) with temps between -10F to 32F here in Kansas City over the years.