Perfect coolant change job

[dogdammit]

So I have been told that my coolant may be getting old. I would like to change it, but a post on here says it should be yellow, and I have green. I don't really know which one is better, but if I do want to flush all the green out, how should I do it? I was thinking maybe just get 4gal (takes 3.7gal of coolant) of distilled water and just fill it up and and drain it a couple times?

Another thing I would like to know about for future reference is coolant filters. I don't know if they're available for my truck but I am probably going to keep this truck for a very long time so I would like to have one eventually.

 

[Roert42]

The gold and the green are compatible. The main difference is recommended maintenance intervals.

I think they recommend green is changed every 4-5 years and gold get changed every 7-10 years something like this.


Orange and blue are not compatible with green or gold because they use different base chemicals that don’t mix well.

If you want to flush it completely I would drain as much coolant as you can and run water through it to get all the coolant out before refilling with coolant.

 

[Curious Hound]

As to the color, best thing is to use what your owners manual recommends, if you have the manual. Roerts recommendation sounds good.

For flushing, I drain the system. Then use a garden hose to flush it real good with the engine running. Then, I drain it good (engine off), refill with new coolant mix and purge air bubbles.

I use this.

 

[cbxer55]

When you guys drain the coolant, do you just let it run down the street? Or what? Myself, I have never done a 100% coolant change on my 98 or my 04 Lightning. I have these giant syringes that hold 6.4 ounces, with long tubes on them. I drain the overflow bottle. Then remove the radiator cap and use the long tube to drain as much as possible out of the radiator, by sticking the tube down inside the radiator as far as it will go. It must be alright, never seen a sign of rust, still has the factory water pump. Never had any leaks. 28 years, 211,000 miles.

And just for giggles, I have mixed all different types of coolant when I do this. Red, green, yellow. I do it intentionally. When I first start the change, when I drain say green out and put red in, and do this multiple times over a few months, I can tell when to stop when the fluid in the overflow tank is the color of the new coolant. Currently using Final Charge, which is red. Been in there three years now.

This way doesn't make a huge mess of put fluid in the gutter that will kill the animals. Suck it out with a syringe, squirt it into an empty bottle. When I get enough bottles, take them to the recycling joint.

 

[cbxer55]

7073 - Extraction and Filling Pump w/ Extra Hose

Great for removing & filling Brake Fluid, Anti-Freeze, Gear Oil plus Power Steering Fluid & more 200cc / 0.2 Qt. Capacity 7.5" / 19cm Clear Hose attaches to quick-connect on cylinder Locking Cap on end of hose Includes 7" x 1/4" O.D. Hose Extension for deep reach & small diameter applications...

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Get two. They come with two sets of o-rings, for differing fluids. Black or grey. I just keep two on hand, one with black and one with grey o-rings, ready for use. They are very handy and convenient. And Yes, if you use the wrong o-rings with the wrong fluid,. they will get destroyed.

 

[superj]

Mine always spills onto the grass and driveway when I do coolant. All the animals are still alive so it must not hurt much.

I do dilute it with the hose though. I dont want the weeds turning colors

 

[cbxer55]

I just try to be as neat about it as I can. Try not to spill anything. And like you, when I do, dilute it with agua. Coolant is ethylene glycol It's essentially poison. So I try and be neat about it. Those syringes I posted above make it very easy to be neat about it. I've used them for years. It's amazing that you don't see them in the auto parts stores/ I have not seen them at NAPA, Vato Zone, Advanced Auto or Slo'Reilly's. Someone I know clued me on to them.

 

[ekrampitzjr]

For emptying the overflow tank I use the type of siphon pump used to fill kerosene heaters. These are usually dirt cheap, $2 or so each.

 

[Curious Hound]

I just let it go wherever. It's biodegradeable plus, everything gets hosed off and diluted liberally when I'm finished. Probably not the best technique.

 

[cbxer55]

I just let it go wherever. It's biodegradeable plus, everything gets hosed off and diluted liberally when I'm finished. Probably not the best technique.

If I lived in the sticks, I wouldn't care so much. But I live in a nice, if old neighborhood. I don't see any of my neighbors doing these type of things, so I don't do them myself. It's not a neighborhood of Keepin Up With The Joneses type place, lots of older vehicles here. Which implies that people know how to take care of them. No Tesra's here.

 

[SenorNoob]

I just use my big oil pan and dispose of similarly.