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Topic: Engine Coolant Change/Flush (Read 1117 times) previous topic - next topic

Engine Coolant Change/Flush

I would like to do a coollant flush and change on my coach but I don't know how many gallons of coolant we are talking about and then we have the disposal issues.  I am sure it would have to be flushed a few times and then more disposal.  Just wondering if it's just better to take it to a Cummins Service Center and avoid the disposal hassle. I also need to replace the block heater at the same time.  We will be in Florida in the Lakeland area and will need to find a service center to do the work. Any recommendations from those of you in the Florida area?
Thanks,  John M. 😎
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #1 –
John,

Start by contacting the city/county vehicle maintenance center for your area.  Many WILL accept used coolant.

And, because coolant change is very time consuming (TO DO RIGHT) and fairly low tech) it make an ideal "do it yourself" job.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #2 –
Auto Zone will take the coolant.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #3 –
How many gallons are we talking about in the 450 M11 and how many times does it have to be flushed out?  We will have more gallons to deal with on the flush.
Thanks, John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #4 –
Mine took about 15 gallons (cat engine) I only recovered the initial coolant drain and the first water/cleaner flush. Then flushed it 5 times with water and just drained those on the ground. The last water flush was with distilled water, then I drained the system as well as blew the lines to the dash heat out with an airgun on my air compressor. Refilled with after a 50/50 premixed Chevron Delo ELC and after a 10 mile trip tested the coolant with a refractometer and it registered right below the 50% mark, so i probably had 2-3% left behind water in the cooling system. It took me a full day to get it flushed and refilled, so If you want a good, thorough job I would fully recommend doing it yourself.

95 U300SE

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #5 –
John,

Just took out coach to the Cummins Service center in Tampa. Good guys. Set appt and they did the work while we waited. Kept coach clean. I have a name and phone number if you need.
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #6 –
Just curious what Cummins charged to do something like that?
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #7 –
it was our first trip to Cummins and we only had valves adjusted and codes checked.  Didn't check coolant but if I remember correctly their annual oil change and fuel filters with chassis greasing was $450 or so.  More than doing it yourself for sure but seemed reasonable.  They had a lot of coaches there, were ready to spend as much time talking shop as needed and brought the coach back clean.  And that price was before the Power Club 10% discount.
Randy (N4TDT) and Karen Crete
Sarasota, Florida
SOLD:  2000 U270 34' WTFE Build 5756 "Ole Red"

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #8 –
Quote from: John Morales –
I would like to do a coollant flush and change on my coach but I don't know how many gallons of coolant we are talking about and then we have the disposal issues.  I am sure it would have to be flushed a few times and then more disposal.  Just wondering if it's just better to take it to a Cummins Service Center and avoid the disposal hassle. I also need to replace the block heater at the same time.  We will be in Florida in the Lakeland area and will need to find a service center to do the work. Any recommendations from those of you in the Florida area?
Thanks,  John M. 😎
If you have the factory ELC red coolant I don't see any need for a flush just a coolant change. Usually flushing is to go from the Ethylene Glycol to the OAT type. Yours  should have had Texaco ELC from Foretravel.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #9 –
Quote from: floridarandy –
it was our first trip to Cummins and we only had valves adjusted and codes checked.  Didn't check coolant but if I remember correctly their annual oil change and fuel filters with chassis greasing was $450 or so.  More than doing it yourself for sure but seemed reasonable.  They had a lot of coaches there, were ready to spend as much time talking shop as needed and brought the coach back clean.  And that price was before the Power Club 10% discount.

What did the valve adjustment run if you dont mind me asking

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #10 –
Craneman, yes it does.  It makes sense.  No need to flush.
Thanks, John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #11 –
Quote from: John Morales –
Craneman, yes it does.  It makes sense.  No need to flush.
Thanks, John M.
John,call Foretravel with your build # and ask what they put in for coolant, color of coolant means nothing.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #12 –
Couple of things I would concerns:

1. Checking with Foretravel to find out what OE coolant was used is not a bad idea, BUT (yes, large BUT)  if a 1999 model coach and OE coolant, it is 18 years old!  Hopefully, not an accurate assumption. And if not the original owner with good records, may not really know what is in there now.

2.  No need to flush if staying with the same type (chemistry) coolant.  Agree, but with a concern.  There are many GALLONS of coolant in those long lines from engine to water heater and dash heater and those components themselves.  While one does not necessarily need to flush the system. one certainly needs to flush or blow out those lines or you are NOT changing all the coolant.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #13 –
My coach has the original Texaco ELC.
John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #14 –
John,

If going back with new Texaco ELC, either flush or remove heater hose at either end and blow out the coolant in those circuits.

If you blow them out you could use either pre-mix or concentrate.

If you flush, make the last rinse with distilled water and use concentrate-- just add 50% of total system volume of concentrate and then top off with distilled water.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #15 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
John,

If going back with new Texaco ELC, either flush or remove heater hose at either end and blow out the coolant in those circuits.

If you blow them out you could use either pre-mix or concentrate.

If you flush, make the last rinse with distilled water and use concentrate-- just add 50% of total system volume of concentrate and then top off with distilled water.
Brett isn't the Final Charge product a direct replacement for the Texaco ELC? I thought I did a extended search before I changed my coolant. I used my shop vac to clear the lines.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #16 –
Sorry, do not know the answer (chemistry was a long time ago).  You might check with Fleetguard. 

But, even if the answer is less, you would not want to mix 18 year old anything with brand new coolant.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #17 –
So get as much as you can out of the system.  Go it.
Thanks guys,
John M
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: Engine Coolant Change/Flush

Reply #18 –
Brett,
I only mentioned the Final Charge as a replacement for the Texaco ELC I did remove all of the old coolant when I changed mine. The Final Charge was available at O'Reilly auto parts. The compatibility chart shows under heavy duty that they are.

http://www.solventsandpetroleum.com/uploads/6/0/3/7/60372849/_profleet-compatibility-chart.pdf
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean