Antifreeze Flush

[Smoky]

Has anyone used a flush additive or waterhose flush of your powerstroke coolant system?

What did you use?

Is is safe to use just tap water when you flush the system?

Did you refill with Motorcraft or Zerex?

 

[NevrKnow]

I'm paranoid. I flushed mine with distilled water. 20 gals at the store was 20 bux. And I know its clean water. Then refilled with IH Fleetguard. I went the concentrated route. That way after the antifreeze was all in and then the water added, I knew I had 50/50. No chance of having water left in the block and bringing down my concentration level.

 

[DaveBen]

Use distilled water for the flush. Tap water will introduce minerals into your cooling system and that will cause you problems down the road.

Dave

 

[Smoky]

My recovery tank is filthy looking like little floaters and looks like a screen in the recovery tank has gunk on it. The coolant is still yellow and test to 5 degrees F. The coolant is 6 years old this month. I bought the 2004 truck a week ago and was trying to change out the fluids. I changed the oil last week and no water in the oil.

DaveBen, Are you talking about flusing the system with the method that is posted on this site? about 5 drains with distilled water until the system is purged with distilled water and then drain and add half capacity of system with concentrate to achieve the 50/50 dilution ratio?

Is there anything to add to the system prior to first drain to remove lime scale, rust, etc.... that anyone would recommend?

I would love to do a colant filter but dont want to spend the $120 or so to do so at this time. I have other items that seem to need a little more attention first. Front sway bar/ end link bushings for one thing.

 

[DaveBen]

I flushed mine for the first time last Spring. I drained the coolant and refilled wioth Distilled water and drove it around for the afternoon. Drained water and refilled with coolant. There is a BIG misnomer going on that everybody NEEDS to add some junk to everything they do. DO NOT ADD ANYTHING to your coolant system, except coolant and distilled water. If your radiator needs to be replaced, do it.

Dave

 

[Smoky]

I flushed mine for the first time last Spring. I drained the coolant and refilled wioth Distilled water and drove it around for the afternoon. Drained water and refilled with coolant. There is a BIG misnomer going on that everybody NEEDS to add some junk to everything they do. DO NOT ADD ANYTHING to your coolant system, except coolant and distilled water. If your radiator needs to be replaced, do it.

Dave

Radiator does not need to be replaced. There is nothing wrong with the radiator. Just didn't know if you had to flush the system with anything as water over a period of time will develop a lime scale on metal. I have not seen lime scale or rust. Just wondering????????????

 

[BIG JOE]

I flushed mine for the first time last Spring. I drained the coolant and refilled wioth Distilled water and drove it around for the afternoon. Drained water and refilled with coolant. There is a BIG misnomer going on that everybody NEEDS to add some junk to everything they do. DO NOT ADD ANYTHING to your coolant system, except coolant and distilled water. If your radiator needs to be replaced, do it.

Dave

Radiator does not need to be replaced. There is nothing wrong with the radiator. Just didn't know if you had to flush the system with anything as water over a period of time will develop a lime scale on metal. I have not seen lime scale or rust. Just wondering????????????

I'd have to respectfully disagree with Dave on this one.

Installing a Coolant Filter is one of the Best preventative maintenance additions... for the Health & Well being of the Water Pump, Thermostat and, in general.. the entire cooling system of.... Any Engine.

Even after a Good Flush.. there is still, Scale, Rust and Casting Sand, migrating around the system... collecting it the crooks & cranny's.. possibly creating Hot Spots and restricting flow until it breaks loose and builds in another crook or cranny.

Not to mention what it may do.. to the Water Pump bushing and thermostat seat/assembly.

When Time & Money permits ? I'd say: Install one.

Joe

 

[DaveBen]

Joe, I do have a coolant filter setup on my truck. I was referring to additives to the coolant for the flush. If you have scale inside of the radiator then you will need something to clear it out. I was referring to when I changed coolant at 100,000 miles.

Dave

 

[Smoky]

Antifreeze

Found 2 gallons of Zerex G05 today in town as I do not have a Ford dealer within 35 miles to get the Premium Gold MC antifreeze. They will order more for me but I only need 4 gallons total, correct?

How do I get the oily residue from the little screen in the recovery tank cleaned out of the recovery tank?

Can I spray it with some degreaser and vacum out the recovery tank?

 

[DaveBen]

Don't use degreaser as it is caustic. You can vacuum out the recovery tank if you wish. It takes a bit less than 4 gallons for a complete refill.

Dave