pour it out on a gravel road.

 

I did a coolant flush two weekends ago according to this procedure. I've had several issues with my truck over the years so I opted for the additional Simple Green flush, not fully understanding it's proper place in the flushing procedure. I did Simple Green as the #2 flush after the #1 VC-9 flush. After watching that video that bismic posted, I recognized 2 mistakes I made regarding this oil cleaning flush option:
(1) I now see Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner which is actually purple is recommended. And apparently you put the whole gallon in per flush. I didn't even know there was a purple Simple Green I just grabbed a bottle of plain ole green Simple Green concentrate at Wa1mart and used it. The label showed it made 15gal of cleaning solution so I used ~half the bottle for our ~6.5gal cooling system.
(2) The video clearly states that if you opt for the oil cleaning Simple Green flush(es), it should be done before the VC9 flush. Emulsifying and flushing out oil residue helps the VC-9 do it's job. So it should be noted that, if one opts for the oil cleaning flush(es), it should be done before the VC-9 flush.
So if you opt for the oil cleaning flush, start with Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner topped off with water. Repeat till you see no more oil residue in the drained sample. Thoroughly flush with water till clear. Then start the VC-9 flush, and so on...

As for the results of my coolant flush project:
After a 2Qt VC-9 flush, a plain ole Simple Green (~30oz) flush, and another 5 distilled water flushes, I could see I was gonna need alot more water. It wasn't clear yet and there was plenty of sandy & brown-flakey-looking stuff still settling out in the bottom. So I got another 24 gallons of distilled water. Even at flush #14 it was only close to clear, and there was still some sediment in the drained water. I have a new job that has me working out of town alot so I had to throw in the 3.5gal of Zerex G-05 and call this project done for now to get back to work.
After seeing all the crap that was still coming out at this point, I'm sold on the idea of the coolant filter. When my new job starts panning out a little better I'll be ordering the dieselsite filter, ScanGauge or Insight, and I plan to do another full flush soon, including VC-9. I did the procedure without the thermostat or block plug removal options. I already had a thermostat, but I'll install that on the next flush. What prompted me to have the thermostat was a issue I posted about in " problem keeping truck warm at idle? " and subsequent complications from that led me here looking for a flush procedure.


Anybody ever try a block plug valve? Y'know, like a Fumoto valve for coolant?
I didn't remove my driver's side block plug. I tried, but decided to leave it be when I felt that maybe I was about to break the 8mm hex bit off in the plug. Since I didn't get my system totally clear on my last flush, I think I may put more effort into getting that block plug out next time around. I understand you can get another gallon out that way? Does anybody know the size of the block plug threads? I was wondering if maybe it's a 3/4" NPT thread. If so, I was thinking it might be worth replacing the block plug with a NPT nipple> ball valve> hose bib> short hose combo temporarily for the flushing procedure to avoid the hot coolant shower every flush. Then put the plug back in after the last drain.

 

jfirstford:
PM me with your email address and "for instructional purposes only" I will send you a copy of TSB 08-23-1. All you will have to do is skip the simple green section.

 

I"ll use the coolant in some old machine that has older coolant and the flush put out in the sun and the water will evaporate.

 

Are most of y'all putting the ford gold coolant back in or using ELC?

Awesome right up, thanks to all.

 

I think most are using the ELC coolant now. I know I switched to using it..

 

What kind?

 

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/Zerex_E...charge_618.pdf
This is the brand I used, there are other good brands too. Look for the cat. and cummins rating, the better types will have an outrageous mileage rating like 600,000 miles or 750,000 miles. Hope the link helps in your choice..

 

Thanks for the info!!!!

 

One question to those who are using ELC, how often do you expect to do flushes? Assuming your temps stay good and your using a coolant filter

 

Just wanted to add the link below to this thread (as another option).

 

BBC, I have always liked you since the early days of us joining FTE. Obviously you have had more time to post than I have! (Careers can be so time consuming!)

Anyway, I sometimes forget how many good people are still in the world (the people I call 'cool humans') but I do remember you are one of them. Take care.

 

Mark, I like that PDF so much I put some high res photo quality paper in my printer and put it in a three ring '6.0 bible' binder. Thanks!

 

Well, I made a mistake in the process. I forgot/did not understand (at the time) the distilled water flush before the final fill. I was not thinking about the simple fact that one can not remove all the water when draining the system. I did all the other steps to a 'T'. All the water coming out appeared very clear (I flushed the system with a hose after the cleaning agent for quit some time w/ truck running). When I went to fill the system with the final fluids, I added all the coolant and then 1 gallon of distilled water and the system was full (up to MIN). Then the light bulb went off and I realized the mistake made. My question is: Will this be ok for a little while? I did this my self to save a little $$, and I want to learn about my truck. I should also mention, I added a coolant filter. I would like to wait a bit to do it again..... What do you all think?

 

Kelsey, are you saying that you have tap water in the system? If so, do you know what your city water contains? The more mineral in your water (hard water) the more concern you have. Those minerals will precipitate out. Softer water will have less.

I don't think it is a huge concern, or an emergency. But I would do it again as soon as reasonably possible. I am sure that a lot of dealerships and mechanics are using tap water. They get away with it. And this is one of the reasons we do these things ourselves.