Coolant service strategy

[UltrafanUK]

Originally Posted By: jimbrewer
So the coolant service is coming up on the 2012 F 150. I like the Ford Quicklane service so I will be using them. My questions:

1. Drain or flush?

2. Replace hoses? I'm inclined to say yes, because the day they spring a leak I would unnecessarily replace the coolant anyway. What do you guys think? If the answer is yes, what kind of additional labor charge is reasonable?

3. Replace thermostat? I'm inclined to say no, because my chances of getting a Chinese counterfeit and my chances of heading off trouble are about even. What do you think?

4. Any percentage in replacing radiator cap or heater hose?

I'm trying to stay ahead of the curve on this stuff, but not go crazy.

Thanks for your thoughts.


Just do what the manufacturers recommend, which is probably just a coolant change.

If you decide to change the thermostat (Worth doing after 100,000 miles or 10 years), get a real OEM part from your dealer.
Most hoses should be good for 200K or 20 years, BUT check the clips for corrosion and squeeze test to look for fine cracks etc.

 

[Kira]

Is the hose life expectancy of 200K/20 years (I know those are round numbers) real?......as in, based in fact?

I ask because I've posted the very question of hose life on several forums and NEVER got any response from anyone.

I know hoses are LOTS better now-a-days but I'd love to hear something from either the industry or a vehicle servicer.

At 14 years and 150K I changed my sister's Jeep's (XJ) hoses. They looked dry and crispy in the harsh Sunlight compared to the supple beauties from Gates. Kira

 

[JZiggy]

If you're worried about sand in the coolant passages the only sensible thing to do is to install a coolant filter.

 

[supton]

Short change the OEM change interval and do just a drain. I'd think with a 50/50 mix of new and old would restore the anti-corrosion inhibitors to a "good enough" level. Short change any subsequent change intervals too--nothing crazy, just like 75% of the interval.

I'd leave the thermostat alone, unless if a) it's giving grief, or b) it's a known weak spot for that particular motor. Inspect the hoses and replace when they start to look bad.

 

[jimbrewer]

Hmmm. Jury's still out on drain v. Flush, but I'll skip hose replacement and all other replacement for now. From now on, service is every three years, so maybe the answers are different next time.

 

[NibbanaBanana]

I try to drain and refill coolant at 30K intervals. That is all the cooling system maintenance I do.

I have never had an OEM hose have a problem.
2 new cars rusted to death at 185K and 186K miles with good OEM hoses. My 23 year old E350 has good OEM hoses. My 10 year old Chevy with 206K has good OEM hoses.

I have had 1 thermostat go bad in my life.
I saw the temperature gage go higher than normal and then return to normal while driving one day. Never did I see that happen before. So I changed the thermostat. Problem solved.

I have never had a radiator cap go bad.

I have replaced many radiators that rotted from the outside. When I replace them, I smear a little high temp RTV in the inside of the old hose before I reconnect it. Never had a leak.
I have had 1 OEM water pump leak at over 150K miles. Another water pump o-ring seal start to leak at over 150K. Both were very small leaks.

 

[Boss302fan]

Radiator drain and fill is all you should need. I have done this for years and I used to own a LOT of cars... With older vehicles, I would do a drain and fill every 3 years or 30K miles. Newer vehicles like yours, I would do the drain and fills every 4 years or 50K. Coolant probably is still fine but adding some new coolant every 3-4 years, adds extra additives for corrosion protection.

 

[Bebop367]

Good read below on coolant
http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/75

 

[WobblyElvis]

In my opinion that article is pure marketing doo doo.

In the OP's situation I wouldn't do anything to the cooling system for a few years.

Inspecting the cooling system is always a good idea.

 

[corndogzombie]

Drain and refill every year and it will never need to be flushed.
I take the lower radiator hose off and of course open the radiator drain.
You can squeeze the upper hose and get more out of the block if ya want.
Just run your heater real good after to mix the old in there with the new. Simple as that. Now alot of the newer vehicles have a pressurized system and you have to find the pressure release. Usually a little tube with a valve in the end of it. Mine are hiding back by the battery sorta behind the intake. Ya gotta get the air out after you refil it so it doesn't vapor lock.

 

[Dyusik]

Originally Posted By: Kira
Is the hose life expectancy of 200K/20 years (I know those are round numbers) real?......as in, based in fact?

I ask because I've posted the very question of hose life on several forums and NEVER got any response from anyone.

I know hoses are LOTS better now-a-days but I'd love to hear something from either the industry or a vehicle servicer.

At 14 years and 150K I changed my sister's Jeep's (XJ) hoses. They looked dry and crispy in the harsh Sunlight compared to the supple beauties from Gates. Kira



Every hose I replaced was due to a failed radiator, and was only done because I was 'in there'. They held fine after even 25 years later, of with 100, 180, 200K on the clock. The only hose failures I have witnessed was due to a numbskull repairing a vehicle.

 

[jimbrewer]

Actually Ford says (speaking from memory) after five years an then every three after that. I have the long term warranty so I must obey. By Ford standards that's a conservative schedule. I have been stranded by a hose, but it was about 11-12 years old. I can definitely defer that until next time at least.

 

[rodinator1234]

I've flushed with Prestone flush and water hose before, I've used several different off the shelf products and there is no comparison to the quality of work a flushing machine can do. A reverse flushing machine is the absolute best way to clean a cooling system. I say that and at the same time think how often do you see cars overheated anymore? I doubt everyone follows the coolant maintenance schedule. But me, I get them flushed.

 

[philipp10]

Drain and re-fill. Replace those good OEM hoses with aftermarket [censored] and then replace every 3 years as necessary...