Community Forums

billyb · 08-31-2015, 04:25 AM

whats the easiest way to change the f53 coolant

rjsupersonic · 08-31-2015, 09:05 AM

I try to do most maintenance items on coach but flushing the coolant, brakes and transmission I take it to ford. It is actually very reasonable if you shop around. I last used the Ford dealer in Lake Havasu for a coolant flush I believe it was around 130.00. Again shop around prices really vary.

billyb · 09-01-2015, 06:07 AM

but the ford dealers in md are a worthless bunch when it comes to rvs. anything major ,i would have to take it pa, which might be 100 mile trip, and i still don't trust them

TeJay · 09-01-2015, 07:39 AM

There may still be a few radiator shops around. I do realize with the advent of aluminum and plastic parts on radiators some of the radiator repair shops have gone under. I would think if you could find one they would be into the flushing part of radiator service because they are not soldering as many radiators as they did 20 years ago. You don't need any additional special equipment to service an RV over a pickup truck or even a car. I had a shop with the automatic flushing system do my radiator and the transmission. They pulled my RV up to the garage door and just wheeled the equipment outside. They do a lot of that type of service work outside and you don't need a lift.

Most large truck repair facilities that can do that type of service will shy away from a MH because of lack of space and fear that somebody will scratch a MH or get grease on the carpet. Just talk to them and tell them that you will let them work on it outside and you'll stay with the coach and make sure nothing happens to it.

I have a student that is running his Dad's semi tanker truck repair facility. He told me if he can't lift the hood and walk into the engine compartment he won't work on it. They don't worry about paint scratches, grease on the upholstery or carpet.

Yep I know about the MD area. My Son and family lived there for 10 years on the Eastern shore (Grasonville). They had a difficult time finding repair facilities for their truck. They just moved back out to LA. Ugh, not much better.

TeJay

chboone · 09-01-2015, 10:32 AM

When I did my 99 I used the 1" hose that goes from the bottom of the recovery bottle to the bottom tank of the radiator to drain it. It's easier to control then the larger hose to catch the used coolant. I replaced all the hoses and thermostat at the same time. The engine block will still contain some coolant. To get it out, it can be done two ways, 1. Refill with DI water run the engine till the thermostat opens, let it cool and drain, I did that twice. 2. If your replacing the thermostat flush the block with a hose while the thermostat is out. I don't like to have tap water in my engine so I always flush it with DI water. The block will have DI water in it so I use concentrated coolant for refilling.