Mopar1973Man
Senior Member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2011
- Posts
- 825
- Reaction score
- 21
- Location
- New Meadows, Idaho
- Ram Year
- 1996, 2002
- Engine
- 1996 Dodge 1500 (V8-5.9L) & 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 (5.9L Cummins)
I was on the phone talking to Dave about other issues and ask him straight out... "How old is your coolant?" he replied "It's still green!". Well this is not good and just judging coolant on color is a poor practise and will cost you dearly. As coolant ages it will drift away from neutral pH level of 7 it can go up or down in pH level. In any case as it drifts more either direction the coolant become corrosive. By the time your coolant is turning color its too late and the damage is done... As for damages it can be any combination of the list below.
Here is 100K miles at 5 years...
Here is 180K miles and 9 years.
Coolant change is a make or break to if your engines cooling system. As for flushing out the block and refilling the system...
As for distilled water it suggested if you live in the city but not required if you on a well. As for my truck just to prove a point of water I've been using irrigation water now for the life of the truck and the picture above show absolutely no harm to the coolant system from using good old creek water!
Here is where my water come from...
- Head Gasket
- Oil cooler (dealer only item costing about $600 bucks)
- Radiator
- Heater core (a real PITA to change!)
- Transmission cooler and heat exchanger.
Here is 100K miles at 5 years...
Here is 180K miles and 9 years.
Coolant change is a make or break to if your engines cooling system. As for flushing out the block and refilling the system...
- Drain the old coolant into a suitable container for disposal.
- Remove upper hose
- Remove thermostat
- Take a old rag and pack the upper radiator fitting so to hold water
- Using a garden hose on a good flow place in the radiator and allow it to flow.
- Start the engine and allow the water to flow till all signs of old coolant and debris is gone.
- Shut down and drain.
- Reassemble with new thermostat and the upper hose.
- Close all drains.
As for distilled water it suggested if you live in the city but not required if you on a well. As for my truck just to prove a point of water I've been using irrigation water now for the life of the truck and the picture above show absolutely no harm to the coolant system from using good old creek water!
Here is where my water come from...
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