Cooling system flush made easy

[ringadingh]

It also depends on how long you keep a vehicle, if its around three years, I wouldn't change the anti freeze either.
I worked with a fella once that bought a new car every second year, he did nothing to it at all. No oil changes, no wash, no checks of fluids, he didn't even empty the ash tray.

[dabull]

Nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pastorgumby]

Now get a picture step-by-step and this would be a perfect thread!

[onesherpa]

I tried your method today without success. After draining the system, I raised the overflow tank above the fuel tank. I filled the overflow tank only to find that it did not fill the cooling system. I ended up lifting the fuel tank and filling it by the radiator cap.

[Kawhead]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

It also depends on how long you keep a vehicle, if its around three years, I wouldn't change the anti freeze either.
I worked with a fella once that bought a new car every second year, he did nothing to it at all. No oil changes, no wash, no checks of fluids, he didn't even empty the ash tray.

Was the guy's name Tim Conley?

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by Kawhead

Was the guy's name Tim Conley?

Not me Mike.
I can't afford to buy new cars every other year.
I just drive them till they are about ready to explode then trade them in.
That way the next guy to get them has the fun of doing all the maintenance.

[Jared]

I guess I like the idea, but removing the tank is not a long process, so I guess I don't really see the point......

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

I have never changed the coolant in any car or truck I have owned.
I have never had a problem resulting from not changing the coolant in any car or truck I have owned.
I don't see it making any difference if it is a car , truck, or motorcycle.

It depends on the type of coolant. There are "lifetime" coolants out there. My VW uses it, it's called pentosin. It's pink/red. The thing is, it really isn't lifetime as the water pump and thermostat get changed when the timing belt is replaced, so the coolant has to be changed as well. That said, the cast iron block was shiny and spotless inside when I did the timing belt.

The coolant that comes with the nomad isn't lifetime. It's green antifreeze that is probably good for two years/24K miles. This can be replaced with prestone's higher mileage green antifreeze replacement to give a little longer maintenance intervals.

What you may not realize is that the corrosion inhibitors that are in the green antifreeze that comes with the Nomad has a definite lifespan that is rather short and while it may look green in the overflow tank, you won't see the corrosion is places where it counts: The radiator, water pump and coolant passages. When the coolant's corrosion inhibitors become useless and they will, corrosion will begin and it's a matter of time before you have an expansive repair.

Cars made in the last 15-20 years use a coolant that has different corrosion inhibitors than the inorganic stuff in the green antifreeze. This allows for extended or indefinite maintenance intervals. May be this is why you never changed your antifreeze on your cars and still didn't have a problem. With the Nomad and other bikes that use the old style coolant, you shouldn't do that.

Lastly, I know with some of the GM vehicles that use the newer organic inhibitors that the PH should be checked. I have heard of aluminum intake manifolds corroding through due to too acidic PH. YMMV.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

You may be able to get away with a 60k coolant change, if you rode the bike a lot a racked up the miles in say 3-4 seasons, but for most of us it takes quite a while to reach 60k and for what it costs, refreshing the coolant is a cheap procedure.

Ive seen vehicles that have mixed the trans fluid with antifreeze, it makes a mess, and takes a lot of flushing.

It's time more so than mileage. If it's 2-3 years old, dump it. Same with brake fluid. It should be changed ever couple years. Especially if you have ABS.

[Monkeyman]

The last 3 vehicles I've had (all GM) have had that orange crap (aka Dexcool). That's supposed to be a "lifetime" coolant but it still got flushed out before I drove 100 miles. Put the generic green stuff in them and never had a problem. Nothing is "lifetime". I'll be changing out the coolant in the next week or so (partly to add a temp sensor). I plan on changing it every year I have the bike. As others have said, it's cheap.

[Top Cat]

That was a good explanation Jim.
I think I will have my mechanic change the coolant when he does my clutch spring this week. You think the anti freeze is worn out? It has only been 75,000 miles.

[jandreu]

Did anyone else feel the cosmic preventative maintenance continuum shift?

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Top Cat

That was a good explanation Jim.
I think I will have my mechanic change the coolant when he does my clutch spring this week. You think the anti freeze is worn out? It has only been 75,000 miles.

Ethylene glycol doesn't wear out, the corrosion inhibitors do. If you lived in a place where it didn't freeze, you won't need ethylene glycol, but that is another story for another day.

[blowndodge]

Originally Posted by jandreu

Did anyone else feel the cosmic preventative maintenance continuum shift?

No shit! Tim changes his coolant and Jimmy Hoffy popped out of his radiator!

[poppy]

Originally Posted by onesherpa

I tried your method today without success. After draining the system, I raised the overflow tank above the fuel tank. I filled the overflow tank only to find that it did not fill the cooling system. I ended up lifting the fuel tank and filling it by the radiator cap.

Hey blowndodge, any idea why this didn't work for onesherpa? I'm curious since I'm changing my antifreeze next weekend....