Got a couple gallons of Zerex G-05 coolant and some radiator flush the other day. Also since we have a large saltwater/reef aquarium, I have a 50G container of reverse osmosis/deionized filtered water to use for the flushes and fill. Much cleaner than even distilled water. As far as I can tell, it's never been flushed before so it should be quite a mess I'm sure. Doesn't look too bad but since it's been in there since '03 I'm sure it needs changed. I'm going to try doing the lower radiator hose drain method...seems like it would get more crap out that way that just using the drain-co*k on the radiator and flush it several times after that. Obviously I'll drain, flush out, and refill the coolant tank with new also. Fortunately (unlike like my last Ranger) this one is tall enough to easily fit a 5-gallon bucket underneath to catch all the old coolant. I'll let you know how it goes...anybody want pics of the process? I don't mind making a kinda HOW-TO if anybody thinks it would be helpful.

Theres a good mechanic shop down the road that told me they'd take my old coolant to recycle so no, I'm not pouring it down the sewer...

 

I do! I do! haha

 

Haha...ok...working on it. Just dumped the second round of water after the initial radiator flush/water, ran it with the third load of water. Now just gotta wait for the cool down and then I'll drain it and put the new stuff in. Sure was a nasty mess....the coolant was kinda brown and just plain gross but the last round was getting much better...almost clear water This third round should do the trick. The coolant tank was also really nasty but I got it all cleaned out and flushed. I'll have about 2 1/2 buckets of dirty water/antifreeze to dispose of...no big deal.

 

The dump method I used...pull back the clip on the lower radiator hose and slide the hose off. The hose was in fine shape so I didn't bother with replacing it:


This what came out. I used some aluminum foil baking pans to catch the rest that flows all over the plastic cover underneath. I get them at the dollar store down the street and they cover a big area. Cheap and are great for catching stuff like when doing this or trans fluid. $2 is worth it to me to not have to scrub the driveway or garage floor. I didn't get a good pic of the bottom of the bucket...about 1/8 inch of crap and black stuff that sunk to the bottom. This truck has obviously never had this done.


Pulled the hose off near the radiator cap and drained this out too. Also flushed it out probably 5 times...kinda nasty. Used a pipe brush to get in the and scrub it all out and yes, I did clean all the crud off the cap:


Fill it up with filtered water, run it till it reaches operating temp, then let it cool and dump it. I did this three times including the initial fill with Prestone flush...


Heater on full blast and at operating temp each time...gets it through the heater core to flush it out...


My stuff...Zerex G-05, made for Ford (kinda pricey), big funnel, and a couple buckets of pure filtered RO/DI water. Not pictured....rubber gloves to keep the glycol off my skin while handling the radiator hose and the garden hose to quickly dilute any drips that will naturally happen. We have dogs and I am a nature and animal lover so I did the best I could to catch and take care of any mishaps.

 

Test drive succesful. Coolant at regular temp.. a little refill of 50/50 that I mixed into the expansion tank, and I wasted too much gas idling the truck all afternoon to circulate all the water and cleaner through it but it's nice and clean now and no leaks...good to go. What a mess that old coolant was...gross. Takes a little math to get a 50/50 mix of the new coolant...

 

Took it out on the insterstate for a little run (about 20 miles) and all seems OK. Nothing needed topped off...now time to start drinkin...lol

 

Good job!

 

Thanks...although this truck is low mileage for its age, it's the age that bugs me...I've changed pretty much every fluid and filter so far except for the transmission (gonna get it done right, machine) and all new brakes and shocks. May throw a set of new plugs in it soon though. I checked out the serpentine belt and although being original, it is suprisingly good shape...no cracks. Might let that be for now.

 

You sound like me when it comes to vehicle maintenance.