Coolant change question

gregk · 12-17-2010, 07:25 AM

This forum has made me comfortable tackling the coolant flush and change on my 07 Endevour ISL400(19,000mi). What a great source of knowledge.I plan to get out and gather everything needed this weekend.

I guess I will catch the old coolant and flushes in 5 gal buckets for recycling. With the help of this forum I finally found the radiator petcock and the engine petcock. I guess I with drain through both. Also, after reading the posts regarding this I was not sure if all flushed should be done with distilled water or just the last one?? If all should be done with distilled water, looks like I will need to gather 30 to 40 gal. The water in my remote area of east Texas is very hard so I am not comfortable with leaving any in the system. Sounds like some of the guys have simply ran a constant stream of water through the system with the engine running. Not sure how they have caught it all for recycling doing it that way?? Any comments on this?

Also, is it felt that adding a flushing additive is a good idea on the first flush??

I thought I would go with the concentrate and put in half of the capacity of my sustem and then top off with distilled water. I plan to go back with one of the OAT coolants(either Fleet Charge or OS Complete) which ever I can find in concentrate.

I don't plan to change the thermostat since only 3 1/2 years old and only 19,000mi. I will look at the hoses but would guess they should be OK as well.

I think I am clear on the process - heater on, run until thermostat opens and drain, 3 to 4 flushes until water is mostly clear.

Once done I plan to flush and change the 8kw generator. Except for the air lock potential looks fairly straight forward as well. Any words of warning would be appreciated hear as well.

Please respond if there is something that I may have left out.

Thanks for any comments.

deandec · 12-17-2010, 11:33 AM

"I thought I would go with the concentrate and put in half of the capacity of my sustem and then top off with distilled water."

I have read that mixing to the proper ratio prior to putting into the system is the right thing to do.

Evidently, the system itself may not mix the components adequately to acheive the proper mix.

gregk · 12-17-2010, 02:17 PM

Dean,

I'll take your suggestion and mix 90% of the coolant refill before pouring it in. Should not had any real effort to the task.

Thanks

walt2137 · 12-17-2010, 03:16 PM

I think I am clear on the process - heater on, run until thermostat opens and drain, 3 to 4 flushes until water is mostly clear.

I would not flush unless old antifreeze is in bad shape, smells bad or some other problem it is just not necessary and a real pain, i would use distilled water in the mix .

Bill2 · 12-18-2010, 07:44 AM

I plan to do the change next week. Also I think I may have a slight leak at the overfill bottle hose. The bottle was empty when I looked at it and it looked like the antifreeze had been running down the hose. The hose is about 1&1/2 inches in diameter comming out of the bottom of the bottle and running to the bottom of the engine. This is a 06 HR Endeavor with the ISL-400 engine. Don or anyone that knows, should I replace this hose? It looks like it is ok but anything could happen. If you think I should replace this hose, does anyone know the size or anything about this hose and where I can get it? I am putting the Final Charge in the unit. Also one aditional question is, does the antifreeze go into the bottle or is there another cap someplace on the radiator that I can't see? My manuel don't show that. If anyone wants to e-mail be direct it is 4odell@gmail.com
Bill

Mopar1973Man · 12-18-2010, 08:04 AM

At least with my Cummins I remove the thermostat replace the housing and leave the upper hose disconnected from the radiator. Start the engine and leave it idle and pump the fresh water through the system till cleared.

As for distilled water is not required... All my coolant and water is mixed before reloading the coolant system.

After 100K miles and 5 years of tap water from a well and using creek water for flushing... Also using good ol' cheap Napa Green anti-freeze... Nothing special.

Bill2 · 12-19-2010, 06:42 PM

I am re-posting this because I never got any replies before in the last post. I plan to do the change next week. Also I think I may have a slight leak at the overfill bottle hose. The bottle was empty when I looked at it and it looked like the antifreeze had been running down the hose. The hose is about 1&1/2 inches in diameter comming out of the bottom of the bottle and running to the bottom of the engine. This is a 06 HR Endeavor with the ISL-400 engine. Don or anyone that knows, should I replace this hose? It looks like it is ok but anything could happen. If you think I should replace this hose, does anyone know the size or anything about this hose and where I can get it? I am putting the Final Charge in the unit. Also one aditional question is, does the antifreeze go into the bottle or is there another cap someplace on the radiator that I can't see? My manuel don't show that. If anyone wants to e-mail be direct it is 4odell@gmail.com
Bill

walt2137 · 12-19-2010, 06:52 PM

Bill just make sure the bottle is not leaking and just tighten the clamp on the hose, Just put the antifreeze in the bottle it will fill the radiator, after you start and run the engine it should burp the air out and you will have to refill.

William Willard · 12-20-2010, 03:41 PM

The hose is One & a Quarter inch (1 1/4) Get it at NAPA -- I would replace it since you`re draining the coolant -- I have a 07 Camelot, & that hose broke at 1 1/2 years -- Bill Willard

gregk · 12-22-2010, 06:29 AM

Would love to know where some of you guys took your old coolant for recycling. Wallmart takes it but only take 5 gal at a time. My city dump takes oil but no coolant. Same with our local auto part stores.

??