truck antifreeze question

[BLAKJAX]

I am a Radiator Repair shop owner , I can tell yall now that todays antifreezes are ok but not any better than the old antifreezes , You Must drain an Flush your cooling systems once every other year or 40-50 thousand miles if you wanna maintain your cooling system. If not your asking for problems , I recommend the 50/50 pre-mix . If you buy the full strength and add water you putting minerals from water in your system which can cause problems . I been working on Radiators Big an Small going on 45 years , I have seen what (just topping it off) or (just checking it with tester) will do to a cooling system . Antifreeze is a Petroleum Based product just like engine oil, It will break down over a period of time an Gum up an clog your radiator plus lose its ability to inhibit rust an corrosion . Would you Just Check your Engine Oil an Then Just Top it Off an Never Change it ?? ... Maintain your Cooling System like You Maintain the Rest of your Car or Truck an You will be Fine ! If Not , I can Fix or Replace your Radiator on Any of your Vehicles !

[BrianL]

I am a Radiator Repair shop owner , I can tell yall now that todays antifreezes are ok but not any better than the old antifreezes , You Must drain an Flush your cooling systems once every other year or 40-50 thousand miles if you wanna maintain your cooling system. If not your asking for problems , I recommend the 50/50 pre-mix . If you buy the full strength and add water you putting minerals from water in your system which can cause problems . I been working on Radiators Big an Small going on 45 years , I have seen what (just topping it off) or (just checking it with tester) will do to a cooling system . Antifreeze is a Petroleum Based product just like engine oil, It will break down over a period of time an Gum up an clog your radiator plus lose its ability to inhibit rust an corrosion . Would you Just Check your Engine Oil an Then Just Top it Off an Never Change it ?? ... Maintain your Cooling System like You Maintain the Rest of your Car or Truck an You will be Fine ! If Not , I can Fix or Replace your Radiator on Any of your Vehicles !

Thanks for that info. I always thought the "flush your coolant system" was really "flush your wallet". I'll do better

[perow]

BLAKJAX--what is your opinion on the ford f250 when the light pops up to check coolant additive?

[BLAKJAX]

[QUOTE=perow;15464846]BLAKJAX--what is your opinion on the ford f250 when the light pops up to check coolant additive?[/QUOE]

Have you had to add any coolant ? Is it ever been low when you checked it ?

[perow]

[quote=BLAKJAX;15464915]

BLAKJAX--what is your opinion on the ford f250 when the light pops up to check coolant additive?[/QUOE]

Have you had to add any coolant ? Is it ever been low when you checked it ?

No sir always been good

[BLAKJAX]

How Many Miles on it ? Have you Ever Changed it/ Flushed it and Put New in it ?

[Mini-x fan]

BLAKJAX--what is your opinion on the ford f250 when the light pops up to check coolant additive?

There are test strips that you can check the PH. It's a programmed message to pop up on the dash (similar to fuel filter or oil reminder). I believe additive can be added once to restore the coolant, and then it is recommended to flush the system. It doesn't have anything to do with the level. This is just what I've gained from reading about it, I'm far from an expert on the subject!

[imyomama]

almost 140k miles , never been changed just topped off it's an 09... i'm worried about flush may actually cause issue like heater core failure ... mainly i just want to make sure it makes oit through the cold spell monday and tuesday ... i have a jug of coolant, i could just pull the drain plug on the radiator and refill , but i've heard of people having issues with air trapped in the system and ending up overheating ... i could take it to a jiffy lube but i think they flush too .. really wish i had a good answer , opinions seem to vary allot

[BigL]

Buy the tester as suggested. Will help you feel better about it.

Mine is a 2011 and 2 years ago I did a radiator flush and replaced the hoses. This year I drained it and replaced the fluids when I had to replace the thermostat. Have you never replaced hoses or thermostat?

Jiffy lube does an ok job on the flush. Go spend $100 on it is cheap conformation its ok and a better peace of mind.

[Playa]

You are way overthinking it.

Or under thinking. If it has a HIGHER concentration of ANTI-FREEZE, it’s less likely to freeze, hence the name. Might cool the engine as well/efficiently

[IOWA BOW HUNTER]

I did the same with my 2004 GMC serria before I kicked her to the curb. You will be fine my sat outside in college barried in snow when it was -15 for like three weeks and never had any issues. Heck I went weeks without even starting the engine.

[Fordnandez]

For anyone with a diesel truck I would strongly suggest you change it out sooner than you think. I do mine every 40k and I have a coolant filter on my truck. The coolant on diesel trucks does a lot more than keep the engine cool. It cools EGR coolers and in some cases the oil cooler, both of which creates a bunch of heat so the coolant breaks down quicker. Many diesel trucks have been blown up because of stopped up EGR coolers and/or stopped up oil coolers mainly in the 6.0 and 6.4 powerstrokes.

[imyomama]

well, got it done at lunch .. $120. and they put the green stuff back in instead of the pink .. they said it's a generic substitute ... i always thought pink was for aluminum engine .. not sure what my 5.4 is. hope it makes no difference .. they put it on a machine to get the old stuff out and new in..