I have a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT with 56,000 miles on it. It was made in January 2001 and ever since then it's had the same coolant, I'm pretty sure. (I bought it in January '05 with 49k miles, I doubt it had a coolant change.) So my question is, seeing as the same stuff has been in there over 5 years, should I flush it with a chemical flush? Also...for what it's worth, I used that 4-ball tester thing and all four balls floated, which means it supposedly has the same freezing/boiling point of brand new anti-freeze. Thoughts/opinions?
Is this a neglected cooling system?
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Kestas
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I'm sure the freeze point hasn't changed, nor would I expect it to change, whether the coolant was changed or still original.
What you don't know is whether the additives in the coolant are depleted. For this reason you should change the coolant. Then you'll have a starting point for future maintenance.
In fact, you should change out ALL fluids and filters to provide a starting point for future maintenance. It's rare to find somebody actually do all the fluid and filter maintenance only to sell the car four years later.
What you don't know is whether the additives in the coolant are depleted. For this reason you should change the coolant. Then you'll have a starting point for future maintenance.
In fact, you should change out ALL fluids and filters to provide a starting point for future maintenance. It's rare to find somebody actually do all the fluid and filter maintenance only to sell the car four years later.
I'm guessing it has the long-life coolant in there, the 5 year/100k stuff, so I don't think there's any harm done. I would give it a full flush with water before changing, but I doubt you need a chemical flush.
Like Kestas said, the 4-ball test just tells you the freezing point. That's based on the % coolant, which wouldn't change even if you left it in for 20 years (barring water evaporating from your coolant, of course). What it won't tell you is how much of the protective additive chemicals are still in there.
Like Kestas said, the 4-ball test just tells you the freezing point. That's based on the % coolant, which wouldn't change even if you left it in for 20 years (barring water evaporating from your coolant, of course). What it won't tell you is how much of the protective additive chemicals are still in there.
I'd change the coolant, using the drain radiator, refill, drain radiator again, refill, drain radiator again, refill, flush method until the drained liquid runs clear, about 4-6 drain-refill cycles, using distilled water. Then put in a distilled water and antifreeze mix.
I'd change the oil and oil filter and the fuel filter. I'd check the air filter and brake fluid.
I'd replace the other fluids (crankcase, transmission, differential), using synthetic fluids.
I'd change the oil and oil filter and the fuel filter. I'd check the air filter and brake fluid.
I'd replace the other fluids (crankcase, transmission, differential), using synthetic fluids.
The oil and filter were changed four months ago, although I've only put about 500 miles on it since then. The air filter and tranny fluid were both changed a month after I got the car. The fuel filter isn't servicable- it has got that filter that supposedly lasts the life of the engine no problem. Basically all there is right now is to flush out that 5+ year old coolant!
I'd drain it and then do it again in 24 months.
Good time to have autozone test the battery too as super hot or cold shorten their life as well.
WM has a tester for $1 which will show a weak battery but Autozone will see whether its holding charge /etc.
Good time to have autozone test the battery too as super hot or cold shorten their life as well.
WM has a tester for $1 which will show a weak battery but Autozone will see whether its holding charge /etc.
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