COOLANT FLUSH/FLUID CHANGE
 

I NEED TO FLUSH THE COOLANT IN MY 02' 7.3 LIKE YESTERDAY :argh: CAN ANYONE TELL ME HOW MUCH FLUID THE RADIATOR HOLDS AND HOW MUCH THE ENGINE HOLDS? ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT :c:

About 4 gallons... I cant remember for sure but if you get 5 it will be plenty.

Please turn the caps lock off.

sounds good, thank you much :tu:

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one more question i just want to make sure it takes just regular 3 year coolant? this is my first diesel but ive owned it a year now, just trying to catch up on maintenance because i have no idea if or when it was ever done

coolant flush
 

i just flushed my coolant recently and changed the block heater. i would rec-amend that you pull the block heater to drain coolant form engine. otherwise you wont get a full flush.

alrite, which side of the block is the block heater on? and bout how much does it cost to just replace the heater too? i have no repair manuals or anything on this truck and havent had my hands really in it yet, so im kinda just wingin it haha

the block heater is right above the oil filter on the drivers side. it has a cord running out of it and you have to make sure the coolant is cold. i repeat has to be cold. drain all coolant from radiator. then when you remove the block heater you will only get whats left in the block as far as coolant that will drain out. coolant will drain rapidly out of the block heater hole. i went to ford and it was 64 bucks for the heater, its such a pain draining all the coolant so its best to just make sure you have a new heater so as to not have to do this again in the near future. i had to replace my block heater cord as well and they run a little bit more, around 110$.

ok cool thank you for the info. ill check on some prices and see how bad it is to do the block heater..i know it works as of last winter but if thats the only way to get the coolant out of the block than it looks like ill be buying the heater too.

thanks again :choochoo:

there is a 1/4" NPT drain plug on the passenger side of the engine. towards the back and a few inches above the oil pan. also, ford says you need to use a special coolant additive from ford or the coolant can pit your block. i don't know if this is true but i don't want to find out the hard way.

there is a very good additive that all the big trucks use. i get mine at fishers auto parts but i think its available at napa...its suppose to give your antifreeze the proper freezing/boiling points back to new. idk if it works, but my buddy has tested it and says it does whats it supposed to do...

why would you need an additive if your PH is normal

Ok, interesting ill have to do some homework on the additve

I run it just to play it safe. I have seen pictures but there wasn't really any evidence to prove it was from the coolant.

If your coolant has the right PH and no contaminants such as WATER or any other corrosives that speed up the progress of corrosion their is no need for an additive. the additive will only bring your PH levels to normal and have the correct freezing temp and running temp... FLUSH YOUR COOLANT. bottom line. yes if you have a big Rig then run an additive. That would be a good idea, more cost effective, and if you have not flushed in a while....

so are you saying you should run straight coolant with no water?

Coolant is supposed to be mixed 50-50 with water. Pure coolant doesn't transfer heat as well as the mix. Look at a lot of the coolant on store shelves and they are selling it premixed for "your convenience". In reality it is so they can increase profits by selling half water at a premium price and make you think you are getting a deal on antifreeze.

Distilled water, no contaminants. you can also by 50/50 mix antifreeze. and mix with a bottle or two of regular coolant. then test with a hydrometer and see your freezing point.
-35 below is a good number. then check your Nitrates and PH. Normal PH is 7.

just so im on the right path i need distilled water and just regular coolant, and as long as my ph level is 7 which is normal than i should be good?? :humm:

yah you can go that route or get 3 gallons 50/50 mix and two regular antifreeze. and that will put you at about -45 below.

alrite cool sounds good, thanks for the help

You need to add the FW-16 on our ford trucks...

its just water distilled water you have to buy that anyway.

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not just water distilled water. you have to buy that anyway

ugh...

To the OP... Go to Ford and ask for the FW-16 coolant aditive. Or install a coolant filter with Precharged filters like I do.

So whats fw-16?

Nevermind

CSIPSD: Love the detailed reply, very helpful thank you :5:

So how did the coolant flush turn out?

Actually i havent even had time to do it yet, been super busy :argh: hopefully this weekend..i will let u know the results though

thats the additive i'm talking about! joe, i knew i wasn't the only one on here using the additive. I don't test mine (shame on me) but i do add a pint about every 15k or so.

I dont test mine, I just use coolant filters that are precharged.

Where does one find a coolant filter setup?:humm:

i believe napa carries them.

If not I'd bet some of our sponsors do. :c:

Dieselsite sells a nice complete kit for the powerstrokes... I believe RiffRaff does as well but I dont know for sure.

DieselSite doesn't sell the precharged filters and doesn't recommend them. Has there been issues with them?