Radiator Flush Questions

[Kyle_1724]

I am planing on doing a radiator flush on my 2000 powerstroke. I was wondering if I could get away without taking out the thermostat. Do I have to? What will happen if I don't? Also should I just flush with water or should I use a radiator flush chemical? Like restore? Truck has 190,000 miles and have flushed radiator only once at about 100,000 miles. Also can I use a antifreeze like fleet charge SCA. Or just the regular old antifreeze? What is better? If I used the Fleet charge SCA I would not have to add a additive every so often. Any help would be great. Thanks

[rufushusky]

Napa and prestone make a radiator flush kit,which back flushes the cooling system. Works very well. IMHO if your thermostat is working properly now then there is no real need to replace it.

Fleet Charge is a good coolant but really for about the same money you could get an ELC and just run that and be done with your coolant for 6-8 years. Delo, Rotella, Cat, Zerex..etc etc all make Cat EC-1 compliant coolants so that might be your best bet. Any heavy truck shop will have the stuff.

[Kyle_1724]

Ok thanks for the info. I will go to a truck shop and pick some up. So I Dont have to remove the thermostat? I can do the flush with it in? Thanks

[rufushusky]

Originally Posted by Kyle_1724

Ok thanks for the info. I will go to a truck shop and pick some up. So I Dont have to remove the thermostat? I can do the flush with it in? Thanks

If you use the flush kit...then I don't feel it is necessary. Especially if the thermostat is working fine. I know a lot of people replace the thermostat when they flush but if it is working why mess with it. I have do the back flush on four different vehicles and only changed the t-stat on one of them. All of them seem to run just fine.


Here is more info than you would ever want on coolant.

Coolant changing instructions... - Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com

When I flushed, I drained the radiaor with the truck facing down hill, added restore. Ran the truck for 20 mins, emptied the radiator and block plugs. Back flushed twice. Filled with distilled, ran until warm, and emptied three times and finally added coolant. I did that to both my truck and my fathers...both worked just fine.

[Kyle_1724]

Great info. What is was looking for. T-sat works good so I didnt want to replace. Thanks again