Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/31373
BIG RIG BASICS JOHN BAXTER Summer Ready Changing your engine coolant on schedule helps preserve cooling system and engine life E ngine coolants come in two varieties — ELC and Fully- Formulated. While coolant can last 600,000 miles or more, it eventually needs to be changed to remove dis- solved solids or recharge protection. Here are the steps: 1 2 3 Allow the engine to cool to 160 degrees F. If the engine is cold, run it until it just reaches that temperature. Shut the engine off and chock the wheels. Remove the radia- tor or overflow tank pressure cap and place a drain pan under the radiator. The drain cock is either on the bottom tank of the radia- tor or on the lower radiator hose. Turn the drain cock to open. Note drain cocks often turn clockwise and screw inward to open and COOLANT REPLACEMENT Level of difficulty (scale 1-10 with 10 most difficult): 4 Tools needed: 1. Adjustable pliers to grasp drain cock. 2. Adjustable wrench to remove engine block drain plug. 3. Sealer for the drain plug, if applicable. 4. Large drain pan (get two if there is a drain plug that’s not near the radiator drain cock). 5. Coolant filters, including a “maintenance- charge” filter or, preferably, a need-release 24 TRUCKERS NEWS JUNE 2011 type filter if using Fully-Formulated antifreeze. A “blank” or “zero-charge” filter if using ELC and the engine has a coolant filter fitting. 6. ELC or Fully-Formulated coolant pre-mix 50/50. If using straight antifreeze, de-ionized water. (Check owner’s manual for cooling system capacity.) You’ll need to use straight antifreeze and de-ionized water if seeking protection below -34 degrees F. 7. A refractometer or ball type freeze point indica- tor if not using 50/50 pre-mix coolant. 2 3 5 then open the cock all the way and allow the coolant to drain into the pan. If there is a drain plug in the block, remove that, too, using a separate drain pan if it’s too far from the radiator drain cock. 4 5 Once coolant stops draining, screw the drain cock closed and replace the in-block drain plug. Fill with tap water to within one inch of the top of the 4 6 6 7 8 radiator or overflow tank. Some tanks have a cap on the side that can be removed for easier access with a hose. Replace the radiator cap, start the engine, and set it to idle at about 1,400 rpm, using the hand throttle or electronic throt- tle control. Watch for the water level to drop as the thermostat opens and add water to keep the system full. Turn on the cab heater and open the two isolation valves. Once the temperature is constant, idle the engine for 15 minutes to circulate the coolant. Return the engine to idle and shut it down. When the engine has cooled to 160 degrees F., remove the radiator or overflow tank pressure cap and open the drain cock and, if applicable, remove the plug from the block.