So my truck is running gold coolant from ford I'm ready to switch to elc. I went to the local CAT dealer and got some 50/50. My question is how do you burp the system to get all the extra coolant out of the block, and how much should I be putting back in the truck?
ELC coolant question
- Thread starter 6.0Dually
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psdguy95
New member
On my 7.3 theres drain plugs on the block on each side. Not sure if the 6.0 had it. I would just drsin it and refill it with water 2 or 3 times and then put the coolant back in. I used 50/50 on mine too.
I've seen the drain plugs, but I wanted to know if I could get all the liquid out through the drivers side drain plug or if I had to take both off? I think I have to remove the starter on the passenger side.
on edit you beat me to it.
on edit you beat me to it.
You won't get it all out by only taking out that left side plug. I would flush it ALOT. You will have water left in system, so I'd take back the 50/50 and buy the concentrated.
Following is a thorough flushing procedure by the folks at powerstroke.org.: Hope this helps.
Flushing and cleaning the 6.0
Restore is for cleaning out any silicate goo. VC-9 is for cleaning out iron and scale. Restore Plus is the same as VC-9 and cheaper.
(Restore products available through Cummins dealers; VC-9 available at Ford Dealers)
**** Do not confuse this RESTORE product with the RESTORE products available at parts stores and comes in tall thin silver cans. Absolutely NOT the right stuff.
To flush drain the coolant by removing the lower radiator hose from the radiator, and removing the drain plug from the driver side of the block. There is a drain plug on the passenger side also but you have to remove the starter to get to it. I don't bother with that one. You can skip the block drains if you want except for the final drain before adding fresh coolant. You will just have to flush a few more times to get the block clear.
I also highly recommend you pull the thermostat out on your first drain and put the housing back without the thermostat. It only takes about 10 minutes and will save you 2.5 hrs or so in doing this whole procedure.
Ok now put the lower hose back on and the drain plug back in the block if you removed it. This is the procedure you will use each time to drain the system, except you will not touch the thermostat again until you're finished the whole procedure. Make sure that you set your heater to high while doing this to flush out the heater core as well.
Fill the cooling system with tap water, start the truck and let the water circulate for 5 minutes. (if you did not remove the thermostat you must run the truck until the thermostat opens + 5 minutes to circulate. This takes 15 to 20 minutes each cycle and is why you should just remove the thermostat) Stop the engine. Drain the system and repeat the flush.
Now add at least 1/2 gallon of Restore and fill with water. Drive truck or run on high idle for 60-90 minutes. Drain and flush 3 or 4 times.
Add 2qts VC-9 or 2 qts of Restore Plus, top with water, and drive the truck or run on high idle for 60-90 minutes. Now drain and flush until flush water comes out clear and clean. When you get clean flush water, flush 3 more times using distilled water if you are draining the block or 5 times if not. This is to replace any tap water in the cooling system with distilled water and very important.
After your final distilled water drain it is time to put the thermostat back in. I recommend you install a new thermostat at this point. They are only $20 or so and it is good maintenance procedure to do so. Fill with 3.5 or 4 gals of ELC concentrated coolant and top off with distilled water. Drive the truck or let run for a while topping off with distilled water. Check the truck over the next few days and top up as required while any air left in the system works its way out.
Keep some 50/50 ELC on hand to use to top off the cooling system from here out and you are good to go.
Following is a thorough flushing procedure by the folks at powerstroke.org.: Hope this helps.
Flushing and cleaning the 6.0
Restore is for cleaning out any silicate goo. VC-9 is for cleaning out iron and scale. Restore Plus is the same as VC-9 and cheaper.
(Restore products available through Cummins dealers; VC-9 available at Ford Dealers)
**** Do not confuse this RESTORE product with the RESTORE products available at parts stores and comes in tall thin silver cans. Absolutely NOT the right stuff.
To flush drain the coolant by removing the lower radiator hose from the radiator, and removing the drain plug from the driver side of the block. There is a drain plug on the passenger side also but you have to remove the starter to get to it. I don't bother with that one. You can skip the block drains if you want except for the final drain before adding fresh coolant. You will just have to flush a few more times to get the block clear.
I also highly recommend you pull the thermostat out on your first drain and put the housing back without the thermostat. It only takes about 10 minutes and will save you 2.5 hrs or so in doing this whole procedure.
Ok now put the lower hose back on and the drain plug back in the block if you removed it. This is the procedure you will use each time to drain the system, except you will not touch the thermostat again until you're finished the whole procedure. Make sure that you set your heater to high while doing this to flush out the heater core as well.
Fill the cooling system with tap water, start the truck and let the water circulate for 5 minutes. (if you did not remove the thermostat you must run the truck until the thermostat opens + 5 minutes to circulate. This takes 15 to 20 minutes each cycle and is why you should just remove the thermostat) Stop the engine. Drain the system and repeat the flush.
Now add at least 1/2 gallon of Restore and fill with water. Drive truck or run on high idle for 60-90 minutes. Drain and flush 3 or 4 times.
Add 2qts VC-9 or 2 qts of Restore Plus, top with water, and drive the truck or run on high idle for 60-90 minutes. Now drain and flush until flush water comes out clear and clean. When you get clean flush water, flush 3 more times using distilled water if you are draining the block or 5 times if not. This is to replace any tap water in the cooling system with distilled water and very important.
After your final distilled water drain it is time to put the thermostat back in. I recommend you install a new thermostat at this point. They are only $20 or so and it is good maintenance procedure to do so. Fill with 3.5 or 4 gals of ELC concentrated coolant and top off with distilled water. Drive the truck or let run for a while topping off with distilled water. Check the truck over the next few days and top up as required while any air left in the system works its way out.
Keep some 50/50 ELC on hand to use to top off the cooling system from here out and you are good to go.
dasboot
Active member
refilling after flush ?????????
check my thread out.
just flush the poo out of it. Through radiator and also with the t-stat off and opened
read my thread. There are so many threads on flushing it will drive you nucking futs.
check my thread out.
just flush the poo out of it. Through radiator and also with the t-stat off and opened
read my thread. There are so many threads on flushing it will drive you nucking futs.
Sure you can get by; just won't get as thorough a flush.
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