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chacho · 02-23-2014, 09:24 PM

I am in the process of replacing the engine coolant on a 2003 R-Vision Condor equipped with a Triton V-10. My question is how is the new coolant added? I do not see a radiator cap on the radiator, and the only way I see to get coolant into the radiator is through the over fill plastic bottle by way of the block. I intend to replace all the radiator hoses as well which I think will allow all the old coolant to drain out. The motor home only has 40,486 miles but I do not believe the previous owners ever replaced the coolant or the hoses. I almost hate to have to ask this question, but I have never had to use the overfill bottle to replace the coolant before. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Ed-Sommers · 02-24-2014, 08:26 AM

I changed mine recently, and after much investigation into different processes to get the job done, none was really an easy job, even the pressure system.

As my rig is just sitting here I decided to do the diminishing anti-freeze method. I took off the refill bottle cap off, opened the petcock beneath the radiator, leaving the interior of the engine untouched. Then I replenished the radiator with clear water, and went for a drive to mix it all up, which, of course became a diluted water/anti-freeze mixture.

The next day I did it all over, then again, and again, until it was mostly clear water. Then I put full strength anti=freeze in, took a ride to mix, and came out with near 50/50 mix!

Takes time, but not really much work, and didn't have to tear anything apart just to get the antifreeze out of the block. I never found the drain plugs anyway, which contributed to my decision to use my method.

Just my way.

Ed

chacho · 02-24-2014, 09:32 AM

First off Ed, thank you for taking the time to respond to my thread. I can see your method would work in getting the coolant out of the engine block and of course out of the radiator as well. As mentioned in my original thread I intend to replace the hoses which I believe are the originals, which would make them at least 10 years old. I suppose then the only way to get the coolant into the radiator and the engine block is by way of the plastic over fill bottle. I do appreciate your response. Take care.

Loren Rice · 02-24-2014, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chacho

First off Ed, thank you for taking the time to respond to my thread. I can see your method would work in getting the coolant out of the engine block and of course out of the radiator as well. As mentioned in my original thread I intend to replace the hoses which I believe are the originals, which would make them at least 10 years old. I suppose then the only way to get the coolant into the radiator and the engine block is by way of the plastic over fill bottle. I do appreciate your response. Take care.

I used to have a winnibago gas rig. Remembering how it was, on your rig you should find a drain valve on the bottom of the cool side of the radiator, ( the side that the large hose returns water to the engine, this hose usually goes to the water pump on the engine.) Next on each side of the engine block you'll find a plug low on the block not to far above the point where the oil pan is. These on GM engines is usually a 9/16 hex headded plug. Remove those and you can drain the block. At this point you can service any hose in the engine cooling system. You could buy a flushing connector and splice into one of your heater hoses. Connecting a garden hose to this This would get all the old antifreeze out. Then drain as much of the flushing water out. Now when you pull hoses loose to replace they won't be full of smelly antifreeze just some of the left over water from the flushing. Another way you might drain is to catch as much 50/50 antifreeze as you can with the plugs removed and draining the radiator then hook up the garden hose to the flushing tee and rinse out the remaining stinky coolant. That would minimize the amount of antifreeze to the environment, make servicing your rig much more pleasant. You might find a coolant access cap on a surge tank between your engine and radiator if there is no cap to be seen on the hot end of the radiator. This is quite common on larger vehicles these days.
Hope I've helped
Loren

ga traveler · 02-24-2014, 10:08 AM

Chacho

o not use the long life antifreeze in your engine. You must use Ford E2FZ-19549-AA. This is the green antifreeze. It coats the inside of the coolant system with a coating. If you use the wrong antifreeze, it will break loose the coating and cause all kinds of troubles. This is not some story I heard at the water cooler. This is straight from the head engineer at Ford. He is the guy who designed the engine.

tderonne · 02-24-2014, 12:18 PM

My '04 requires gold coolant.

Motorcraft Usage Chart

'02 and up use gold/yellow according to the above chart.

Mich F · 02-24-2014, 05:31 PM

It's really easier and more beneficial (although costlier) to have it flushed.
5 Benefits of a Radiator Flush - CarsDirect

chboone · 02-24-2014, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chacho

I am in the process of replacing the engine coolant on a 2003 R-Vision Condor equipped with a Triton V-10. My question is how is the new coolant added? I do not see a radiator cap on the radiator, and the only way I see to get coolant into the radiator is through the over fill plastic bottle by way of the block.

How many hoses do you have connected to the plastic expansion bottle? If you have two a 3/4" or 1" at the bottom (don't remember the size) and a smaller 5/16" one at the top, as you pour the coolant in the plastic tank it will go down the larger hose into the radiator/engine and the air with pushed out the upper smaller hose. If yours is that way, once the coolant stops going down, start the engine and keep an eye on the level, add as needed. At least that's the way it worked on my 99 when I changed all the hoses and coolant.

Chuck

chboone · 02-24-2014, 11:54 PM

BTW, I also replaced the thermostat and tank cap. Got the cap from Ford. After draining the coolant and before replacing the hoses, I filled the cooling system a couple of times with distilled water. Ran the engine up to operating temperature in between the filling. If you use full strength coolant, dilute it with distilled water.

Chuck

chacho · 02-25-2014, 07:10 AM

Thanks Chuck, great info on refilling the radiator and the engine block. Yesterday I drained what I could out of the radiator and the hoses, but did not replace the hoses yet. I did refill with water only and ran the RV to operating temp and also ran the heater in the cab. This morning I will drain again and see if the water is clear. Hopefully I can refill with water one more time, drain and replace the hoses. I do have the bottle that you described with only one hose coming off the bottom of the plastic bottle. Thanks again, take care.

ga traveler · 02-25-2014, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tderonne

My '04 requires gold coolant.

Motorcraft Usage Chart

'02 and up use gold/yellow according to the above chart.

I thought the engineer said through 2005, However it looks like you are correct. The 1997 through 2001 are required to use the green. I got my years wrong. twenty lashes with a wet noodle for me.