Coolant Flush

3062 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by rock_doctor, Aug 7, 2011

go_buffs

Discussion Starter · Aug 3, 2011

I’ve read through several threads to plan for my flush. Here’s a list of what I did simply for reference and/or feedback.

Purchased:
4 gallons of Zerex EL EC-1 Coolant ($25/gal @ Napa)
2 quarts of Motorcraft VC-9 Cleaner ($22/qt @ dealer)
2 quarts of Simple Green ($4/qt @ Walmart)
40 gallons of Distilled Water ($0.85/gal at Walmart)

Steps:
1. Drained system at radiator plug, lower radiator hose and driver’s side block plug.
2. Added 2 quarts of VC-9 and about 3 gallons distilled water. ** I did not remove the thermostat as it was nearly 100-degrees out in Atlanta and after each refill step I drove 15+ minutes at highway speeds so I’m sure the thermostat was open. I also had the heater running on high. Yes, Atlanta summer with the heater blasting, very uncomfortable drives.
3. Drained system at radiator plug, lower radiator hose and driver’s side block plug. ** comment: the drained coolant was dark, i.e black. ** hint for removing the block plug when hot: use a hex bit on a long 3/8 ratchet drive extension and keep the cap on the degas reservoir until after the plug is removed. Very little hot coolant will drain until the pressure is relieved.
4. Added 4 gallons of distilled water and repeated 15 min drive.
5. Repeated draining at all three locations.
6. Added 2 quarts simple green and about 3 gallons distilled water and repeated 15 min drive.
7. Repeated draining at all three locations.
8. Added 4 gallons distilled water and drive.
9. Repeated steps 7 and 8 until the drained water was clear. This took 7 post-simple green flushes.
10. Added 3.5 gallons Zerex coolant and topped off with distilled water.

I already had a DieselSite Coolant Filter and now I’m pretty confident that I cleaned out any sludge/sand/oil.

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bismic

· #6 · Aug 7, 2011

go buffs - if you had oil in the coolant, be sure to replace ALL of the hoses.

I am aware of two cases where the ELC coolant turned to mud. I do not know the specifics, but I would be VERY leary of going more than 100k miles on ELC EC1 coolant (I don't care what they claim).

I also would like to know how the ELC coolant is better at cavitation prevention than a silicate formula (if it really is better).

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