Changing Coolantq

[DaveBen]

I changed the coolant in my 6.0 engine. I went to the dealers for some GOLD coolant (VC 7A or B). He brought out TWO jugs of coolant and said "here you go". I said I needed at least two more jugs and he checked with a mechanic and was told only two to change it out. I took (and paid for) the coolant and distilled water (I bought 6 jugs of Distilled Water) home and drained the coolant and i got 4 gallons out of the coolant system!! I refilled it with the two jugs of coolant and two jugs of distilled water and it is perfect. This is easy; drain and refill. Learned something...

Dave

 

[Zookie400]

my truck is way overdue for a coolant change.................

 

[DaveBen]

It is so easy. It took 20 minutes to do the change. Coolant was about $30.00.

Dave

 

[pete37922]

how u do...drain, flush and fill thru the degass bottle ???

 

[DaveBen]

The coolant was not as dirty as I had expected. It is a very dark brown, in color and not totally transparent. My coolant filter works. NO dirt or other solid particles in the coolant.

Dave

 

[no-red 6 0]

this is not a 'smart azz' comment here but wouldn't you call it a 'refreshment' of the coolant.

i am slightly shocked to hear you say that the dealer says a 'changing of coolant' only requires 2 gallons. to me it is almost like refreshing what is in the system partially. it honestly makes me wonder what they would do if you brought the truck in for a flush if they would actually do the flush or 2 gallon swap out.....maybe not at all dealers but some....

with that said: dave - what was the procedure? $30 and some water seems lots cheaper than a full 'flush' charge and a little more worth it to me.....being as mine prolly needs it since it has probably not been touched since the overhaul...it couldn't hurt anyway, cuz i have never touched the filter and i doubt they did.

 

[DaveBen]

You can only drain out 4 gallons, more or less. Ford wants the coolant changed at 100,500 miles, so I changed it. You can do what you want to do with your truck.

Dave

 

[dennisj2003]

The dealers usally hook up a machine that pushes new fluid thru the engine and sucks the old out at the same time.
Just like changing the tranny fluid, Just draining the raditor and refilling only gets about half of the old fluid, just like draining the pan on the tranny, it doesnt get the torque converter or the cooler, the block holds about the same amount of antifreeze as the raditor.

 

[Zookie400]

dont think for a second that the silly little "flush" machine gets everything out. its almost impossible to get all of the coolant out of any engine, an 4 gallons of fresh stuff is a good percentage of the total. check the sca's and watch for the clarity and thats all that matters.

 

[dennisj2003]

dont think for a second that the silly little "flush" machine gets everything out. its almost impossible to get all of the coolant out of any engine, an 4 gallons of fresh stuff is a good percentage of the total. check the sca's and watch for the clarity and thats all that matters.

I know its not 100% but it does get more, the only way to get 100% is to drain the block and radiator, then deal with maby burping the block to get all the air out when you put new in.