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Posted on 1/22/26 at 5:54 am to 308
You don’t need to do one. Approaching 250,000 on the Tundra and have never done this bs.
This post was edited on 1/22/26 at 5:56 am
Posted on 1/22/26 at 6:11 am to 308
I've driven multiple vehicles to 250+k miles and I don't think I've ever changed the coolant unless replacing a radiator which I've done once. Is it really that important in Louisiana?
Posted on 1/22/26 at 6:34 am to Loup
After 5 years, the coolant turns corrosive and starts to do a number on your cooling system and concomitant components.
Posted on 1/22/26 at 7:08 am to Bullfrog
Not the new stuff.
Honestly, OP could test his coolant and could likely reuse it, but why, if you're changing hoses anyway?
Sounds like he's planning on driving for a few more years, so a little PM would help out.
Also, OP, make sure you get exactly the right coolant spec for your vehicle.
Honestly, OP could test his coolant and could likely reuse it, but why, if you're changing hoses anyway?
Sounds like he's planning on driving for a few more years, so a little PM would help out.
Also, OP, make sure you get exactly the right coolant spec for your vehicle.
Posted on 1/22/26 at 7:40 am to 308
No need to flush the coolant. But Antifreeze isn't a forever fluid as there are additives and corrosion inhibitors that eventually break down. IIRC the green stuff is supposed to be changed every 30k miles and the newer long life pink or red stuff every 100k miles. Just drain the radiator and refill it every 1-2 years if on the green stuff or every 3-4 years on the pink/red long life stuff. Should be enough. It doesn't replace all the fluids but does put fresh additives and corrosion inhibitors in the system. Just an example my 4.7L toyota V8 has a total system capacity if around 3.5 gallons of coolant and just the radiator holds about 2-2.5 gallons. Do just a radiator drain usually gets you about 60% new coolant. But my Toyota requires a new timing belt every 100k miles which necessitates a drain and fill so I don't necessarily do just a coolant job on my Sequoia because it will happen in the course of other maintenance items.
Posted on 1/22/26 at 7:47 am to 308
Have you ever read the owners manual?
Most people don’t
Has good info on fluid changes
Most people don’t
Has good info on fluid changes
Posted on 1/22/26 at 7:47 am to LCA131
quote:
Don't apologize for asking.
I agree. My father was not mechanically-minded, so he taught me none of those skills. I've learned them all from forums and youtube. Keep asking and learning.
Posted on 1/22/26 at 7:53 am to 308
It’s safer to disconnect the lower radiator hose than to attempt to use the drain valve on the radiator. If the valve breaks or gets stuck you are replacing an entire radiator. If you loosen and twist the lower radiator hose and it doesn’t come off then you can carefully slice it and replace lower radiator hose. And, you will get a better drain from the lower radiator hose.
I’d probably just plan on replacing the lower hose either way so you know it’ll be good for another ten years.
After you fill it back up, drive around for ten minutes or so with the heat on and then let it cool down for 30 minutes and then recheck under the cap for air. No hot air from vents on a warmed up engine means you are low on coolant.
Any automotive store or shop will take the used coolant.
I’d probably just plan on replacing the lower hose either way so you know it’ll be good for another ten years.
After you fill it back up, drive around for ten minutes or so with the heat on and then let it cool down for 30 minutes and then recheck under the cap for air. No hot air from vents on a warmed up engine means you are low on coolant.
Any automotive store or shop will take the used coolant.
Posted on 1/22/26 at 8:06 am to ScottAndrew
quote:
Keep your blinkers on during a long drive
But you gotta make sure your blinker fluid is full!
Posted on 1/22/26 at 8:26 am to 308
Better for us amateurs to just drain and refill.
Posted on 1/22/26 at 8:29 am to 308
Changing coolant is never a bad idea. You don't have to do it every 20k miles.. but every 75 to 100 at least.
Coolant does more than just keep your engine cool, it lubricates your water pump, thermostat, etc. it also does help preserve the hoses.
I change my coolant myself. Here is what I do to "flush" the system and it's fine if there is no sludge in it.
1) I drain it. Leave the drain open and just shoot a little compressed air (air gun wrapped with something like a shop towel) down the radiator cap for a few seconds to get a little more to drain.
2) close drain and fill with distilled water. ONLY distilled water.
3) let engine just hit operating temperature and shut off. Let cool.
4) drain again. Repeat of step one.
5) use a tool that you can buy online to apply a small vacuum to the system and has a hose to suck the coolant right out of the bottle and into the system. This keeps any air from being trapped in parts of the engine to prevent a large hot spot that could cause damage.
6) Done. It's beer thirty. Check after first drive and top off if needed. Check again after a week.
Coolant does more than just keep your engine cool, it lubricates your water pump, thermostat, etc. it also does help preserve the hoses.
I change my coolant myself. Here is what I do to "flush" the system and it's fine if there is no sludge in it.
1) I drain it. Leave the drain open and just shoot a little compressed air (air gun wrapped with something like a shop towel) down the radiator cap for a few seconds to get a little more to drain.
2) close drain and fill with distilled water. ONLY distilled water.
3) let engine just hit operating temperature and shut off. Let cool.
4) drain again. Repeat of step one.
5) use a tool that you can buy online to apply a small vacuum to the system and has a hose to suck the coolant right out of the bottle and into the system. This keeps any air from being trapped in parts of the engine to prevent a large hot spot that could cause damage.
6) Done. It's beer thirty. Check after first drive and top off if needed. Check again after a week.
This post was edited on 1/22/26 at 8:31 am
Posted on 1/22/26 at 8:38 am to 308
quote:Yes flush, I used 30 gallons+/-distilled water multiple drain and fills after running the engine to operating temp after each drain and fills until clear clean water. so took a while, like a week(between work and other shite) It’s a 7.3 diesel so I think 8-ish galloms total coolant/water volume.
2018 Dodge Ram pickup, 6 cylinder, 145k mostly highway miles.
No I would not let oil change quick lube baws touch my shite for any reason.
I’d consider replacing the water pump and thermostat with OEM parts while flushing but if th pump is it leaking not critically necessary.
Posted on 1/22/26 at 8:40 am to 308
quote:
2018 Dodge Ram pickup, 6 cylinder, 145k mostly highway miles.
Coolant never changed.
Just drain and refill, non-diesel vehicles that started using HOAT coolants will almost never have sediment build -up. Unfortunately it being a RAM means it will have other problems long before the coolant itself is an issue.
Posted on 1/22/26 at 8:41 am to UptownJoeBrown
Side note, those are counter clockwise rotation? or am I confused
Posted on 1/22/26 at 8:42 am to CleverUserName
quote:
Changing coolant is never a bad idea. You don't have to do it every 20k miles.. but every 75 to 100 at least.
My Toyota Truck, it says at 150,000. But I had it done at 120,000. Not real expensive preventative. Why take a chance?
Posted on 1/22/26 at 8:46 am to LSUDad
quote:
My Toyota Truck, it says at 150,000. But I had it done at 120,000. Not real expensive preventative. Why take a chance?
Precisely.
Posted on 1/22/26 at 8:47 am to 308
quote:
1. Is a coolant/antifreeze flush significantly better than simply draining the old coolant and refilling with new fluid?
Depends on the circumstances. If its contaminated or otherwise severely compromised, a flush might be necessary. Just as preventative maintenance, no. Just drain and fill.
quote:
ould you trust the typical oil change place to flush the coolant correctly?
frick no. The fact that you understand enough about it know you need to ask questions puts you more qualified to do this than the average oil change place dude.
Posted on 1/22/26 at 8:48 am to Clames
quote:
nfortunately it being a RAM means it will have other problems long before the coolant itself is an issue.
Yea. Plugged heater core being a big one. Mine is a 2018 and has been a perpetual pain in the arse since about 80k miles.
fricking Ram puts stop leak in the fricking things at the factory.
Posted on 1/22/26 at 8:55 am to 308
I would drain from plug at bottom, add water from hose, run fur a minute, drain again. Repeat one more time, then refill coolant/water per manual.
If you can capture coolant and dispose properly then great. Coolant is toxic to animals.
If you can capture coolant and dispose properly then great. Coolant is toxic to animals.
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