Different way to flush coolant?
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Different way to flush coolant?
Hey Everyone, First time poster here. I have been reading this forum since I bought my 1994 F-150 a couple weeks ago. Thus far, I've been changing out fluids and such since I have no idea how long ago anything was changed. I see that the 5.8 has two drain plugs on the engine block to drain as well as the radiator. One of the bolts is easy enough to get to but the other sounds like it is blocked by the starter.I was wondering if it would be easier and just as effective to open up the radiator valve, then remove the thermostat and dump water down there. Admittedly I don't know how easy it is to access the thermostat on this particular model. I know Chevys seemed pretty easy. Anyway, just wanted to see what your thoughts are. I'd like to dump the fluid, put in some coolant detergent, run that for a bit, then dump that and refill with new fluid. It seems like alot of work putting on and pulling off the starter everytime.
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Caracas, Venezuela
Flush using only the plug (actually a butterfly valve in my rad) on the radiator, open it and take the rad's cap off. That's the procedure according to my OM (Owner's Manual), so no need to take out the plug on the block.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Mexico, Missouri
X2 what Encho said. I also purchased the Prestone flush kit. Once you do the detergent flush, you can remove the T-stat, and run the flush to completely get the block flushed. It's a bit more work, but it's amazing the amount of trash that will be flushed out. I also did the same thing with our 2000 Expedition. Once the water went completely clean, I reinstalled the T-stat and refilled with the correct amount of coolant.
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Its interesting to me that so far I swear the coolant is low, but the engine temperature is perfectly fine while running. Anyway, as I posted before, I'm changing all the liquids so I don't have to worry about when it was last done.
Course the tranny fluid is still red and right where it needs to be, so I might skip that one.
Oh, BTW, does the overflow tank have a rubber gasket on the lid? I know the one on my windshield washer fluid is missing, so I may have to get a whole new washer fluid/overflow tank. Wouldn't want the water escaping through the overflow.
Course the tranny fluid is still red and right where it needs to be, so I might skip that one.
Oh, BTW, does the overflow tank have a rubber gasket on the lid? I know the one on my windshield washer fluid is missing, so I may have to get a whole new washer fluid/overflow tank. Wouldn't want the water escaping through the overflow.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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I just remove the upper radiator hose from the radiator , start it up and let the water pump pump it out though the hose , keep the radiator full with a garden hose , flush till is good clean water coming out.....you can use a piece of pvc pipe to extend the hose out of the engine bay if you don't want to make a mess ....Lew
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Guess I was assuming the thermostat would be closed if the engine were cold while I was flushing the system. So what I'm suggesting is leave the radiator valve open while using a garden hose to run water down the pipe right where the thermostat was.
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