Flushing coolant recovery tank.

[DrDusty86]

I have taken the recovery tank off the car every year and throw some change in it and shake it a good bit. This breaks up the crusty sand. I do this when I do a radiator drain and refill. I figure the more sand I can remove from circulation the better because that junk can be pulled into the radiator and circulated.
Am I nuts?
Dusty

 

[Corvette Owner]

A little, for doing it EVERY YEAR. I use 5 year coolant in most of my cars.

Also, use distilled water, you will have less buildup.

 

[DrDusty86]

I use distilled water..always have

 

[azjake]

+1 Distilled water and long life coolant changed every 5 years is the best defense against buildup.

 

[DrDusty86]

Every 5 years??? That's crazy long. I checked the Ph on coolant that was only 4 years old and it was VERY VERY acidic. I will stick to my yearly drain/rfills.

 

[eljefino]

I like a clean recovery tank for easy eyeballing coolant level without opening the cap. Removing it is the best way to get this done.

 

[Corvette Owner]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
Every 5 years??? That's crazy long. I checked the Ph on coolant that was only 4 years old and it was VERY VERY acidic. I will stick to my yearly drain/rfills.


I can only imagine your response to Peak Global LIFETIME coolant !

 

[DrDusty86]

YEP
That's like lifetime transmission fluid or gear oil..Yea I believe them..When they claim that [censored]

 

[brelandt]

LOL, I do not believe you are hurting anything by changing it yearly. I let mine go for 8 years! OUCH! But I'm going to be more proactive about it now. Didn't think to clean the inside of the recovery bottle. Good tip!

 

[Corvette Owner]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86

YEP
That's like lifetime transmission fluid or gear oil..Yea I believe them..When they claim that [censored]


Yep, that is what I imagined !

 

[DrDusty86]

My Power Stroke had that 100k/5yr coolant and 100k diff & T-case fluids I did them 18 months after I bought it (new) and ALL the fluids were NASTY!! I leave NO fluid or filter untouched.
Shoot, I waited 4 years for the power steering fluid and that was nasty

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
Every 5 years??? That's crazy long. I checked the Ph on coolant that was only 4 years old and it was VERY VERY acidic. I will stick to my yearly drain/rfills.


What was the pH?

Also, maybe I'm missing something, but why is there sand-like material in your overflow? Are you using other additives as well as the coolant?

As far as cleaning the overflow, I'd say it's a great idea, though with such frequent coolant changes I'd be more worried about why it's getting so dirty...

 

[azjake]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
Every 5 years??? That's crazy long. I checked the Ph on coolant that was only 4 years old and it was VERY VERY acidic. I will stick to my yearly drain/rfills.


Nothing wrong with doing it yearly, but if oils have greatly improved to the point of extended OCIs why can't coolants also have improved to long life. Major advances in fluids and lubricants are one of the most important things to happen to automobiles in the last 50 years.

 

[Bgallagher]

Originally Posted By: Corvette Owner
Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
Every 5 years??? That's crazy long. I checked the Ph on coolant that was only 4 years old and it was VERY VERY acidic. I will stick to my yearly drain/rfills.


I can only imagine your response to Peak Global LIFETIME coolant !


I use Global LIFETIME fluid every other year. I can buy a gallon for under $20. CHEAP insurance

 

[cb_13]

Do you use extended life coolant every year or green? I have considered switching my truck over from Motorcraft gold to either motorcraft or shellzone green. I know I would need to change it more often but then I would have green in the car truck and tractor. Right now the truck is the odd one out.

 

[Tones]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
Every 5 years??? That's crazy long. I checked the Ph on coolant that was only 4 years old and it was VERY VERY acidic. I will stick to my yearly drain/rfills.

How very? Most modern coolants rely on an organic acid mixture. So it stands to reason it would be acidic. Maybe your coolant was too concentrated?

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: Tones
Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
Every 5 years??? That's crazy long. I checked the Ph on coolant that was only 4 years old and it was VERY VERY acidic. I will stick to my yearly drain/rfills.

How very? Most modern coolants rely on an organic acid mixture. So it stands to reason it would be acidic. Maybe your coolant was too concentrated?


All coolants are basic

 

[Tones]

Thanks for that. How often are you checking your PH? I have read some suggest as often as every oil change.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: Tones
Thanks for that. How often are you checking your PH? I have read some suggest as often as every oil change.


I guess I simply haven't worried about it. It has been on my mind, but as of yet, I have no plan to change the coolant prior to 100k.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
I have taken the recovery tank off the car every year and throw some change in it and shake it a good bit. This breaks up the crusty sand. I do this when I do a radiator drain and refill. I figure the more sand I can remove from circulation the better because that junk can be pulled into the radiator and circulated.
Am I nuts?
Dusty


Do you leave the change in when done? Do you do a rich cleaning with quarters or a cheap one with pennies?

I remove it and empty it, add Joy and hot water and shake. Maybe let it sit for awhile also. If it would fit it would go in the dishwasher.