Radiator Flush or not?

[RCtoywizard]

hello all

According to my manual, I should have flushed , rinsed and replaced /refilled, my radiator cooling system over a year ago.
2008 M5040 now has 435 hours on her. I was amazed how hard it is to find
the radiator flush that the manual claims I should use. I know a lot of folks tend to shun the "flush" in over the road vehicals and I usually agree but when it comes to "my baby",, I expect it to live longer than me. lol

So first question is, to flush or not, and second is why is it so hard to find? It might be just because of our area in the NE USA (NH) but I cant imagine why.

Anyone have a link to a good trustworthy flush? and does everyone feel its needed?

thanks in advance as aways.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

I just shove the garden hose down the top of the radiator cap and turn her on and flush the crap out. Works pretty well for me so far.

 

[motorhead]

Pull the block drain on the side of the engine and the one on the bottom of the radiator. It is best if you can pull the thermostat out so you can rinse the block out well. I usually replace the thermostat but you can just replace the thermostat seal.
I use a diesel rated coolant, or Zerex G-05 coolant. They are usually a 5 year coolant.
Find the cooling system capacity and with the drains back installed, fill the system with 1/2 of the TOTAL capacity with the coolant. Fill the balance with distilled water.
DON'T USE ANY TYPE OF AUTO PARTS STORE RADIATOR FLUSH CHEMICALS!
I flush with granular citric acid when I have a dirty cooling system on my own equipment. This is what Mercedes Benz recommends. It cleans welL but won't damage aluminum radiators or water pump seals.
Been diesel mechanic-ing for 33 years. This has worked for me.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

Whats the half coolant half distilled water cocktail all about in a radiatior? What does that do?

 

[birddogger]

Whats the half coolant half distilled water cocktail all about in a radiatior? What does that do?

The coolant lubricates the water-pump seals and prevents corrosion. Even if you never see freezing temperatures you should use antifreeze. The distilled water prevents mineral build-up in the radiator core.

 

[lreops]

If you really want to get into a can of worms and thought there was not much to do or know about your cooling system, pour a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and get ready to learn things that you probably never heard of:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/254019-coolant-change-your-frequency.html

It's a pretty long read, be forewarned.


Ron

 

[motorhead]

Whats the half coolant half distilled water cocktail all about in a radiatior? What does that do?

That gives you the correct 50/50 mix that is recommended.
Since there will always be some residual rinse water left in the cooling system, that is why you add the antifreeze first.
If you have a 8qt cooling system, you need 4qts of antifreeze and 4qts of water.

 

[Breeze]

I use pre-mix I purchase at NAPA and do it annually.

Flush, of course! After draining old coolant I refill with water, run a minute or two, drain and repeat.

If one were trying to rehab a fouled cooing system, the proper "solvent" might be good but for a well maintained system, water is fine.

Don't pay attention to coolant quality, level or check hoses? An overheated Kubota engine will suffer thousands of dollars in damage before you can spell anti-freeze three times. It's the quick version of insufficient crankcase lube.

 

[Stubbyie]

Re: Radiator Flush--or not (and why 50-50)?

We run 50-50 antifreeze and distilled water in everything on the place.

Guessing at mix ratios (especially if by two different people) caused introspection.

Got a 2.5-gallon plastic gasoline can with flex spout and spray-painted it bright ('JD') green.

Into the green can add 1-gallon antifreeze and 1-gallon distilled water.

Shake well and pour as needed into whatever needs it. No more guessing. Now we KNOW we have a 50-50 mix in all radiators.

Read antifreeze jug carefully. Found a neighbor adding what he thought was antifreeze when he had actually bought a PREMIXED PREDILUTED READY-TO-USE priced same as full strength, bought at big box store. So he was actually using a 25% antifreeze mix after adding the usual 50% additional water.

Question was asked about "why 50-50"? Distilled water prevents hardwater mineral buildup plugging radiator passages. Half and half provides lowest freeze-rating. Based on the chemistry of ethylene glycol dissolved in water (freezing point depression charts), too much antifreeze can actually RAISE the freezing point so you get less freeze protection---if you use 40% water and 60% EtGlycol antifreeze the mixture will freeze at a higher temperature than if 50-50 is used. Jugs of antifreeze used to have fine print that said 50-50 was the maximum concentration that should be used or cooling system might be damaged.