When to get a cooling system flush?

[Anonymous-0]

I have a Chev 2500 truck with a 6.0 litre engine. It takes longer to heat up and doesn't seem to put out as much heat as it used to. The temp. gauge goes up to the same amount but it does take a while for it to get there. Would a cooling system flush be a good idea to get warm faster? I hate the cold but unfortunately I'm stuck up here. Dave

 

[Dozer Guy]

I would do a power flush on it, if I suspect a flaw in the cooling system any time it seems to not cool and/or not get warm enough. deposits can easly build up in the heater core and cause stoppage or poor circulation in the cooling system. I like prestone system cleaners myself! How is the truck doing since you got it out of the shop! Larry

 

[IaGary]

Is the heater valve opening like it should?

Gary

 

[Sean Feeney]

I have put a piece of cardboard over 1/2 the radiator behind the grill before, it helped.

 

[teddy52food]

Put in a new thermostat.

 

[nellie]

new thermostat needed

 

[onefarmer]

If the temp guage shows it warms more slowly than normal than the thermostat needs replaced. If the temp guage warms the same as always then the heater core is plugging up. To clean out the heater core I take both hoses off and give it a blast of air in both directions and 3-4 times. Worked every time for me.

 

[Wilson]

dozer guy said you got it out of shop check that hoses to heater are not kinked obstructed or reversed

 

[Anonymous-0]

Thermostat is stuck open, lets cold water circulate right away instead of getting the engine warm first.

 

[Mike M]

After you try the other ideas first, if you still don't get heat don't be surprised if your heater core isn't plugged up with dexcool mud.

 

[old]

Well I just did a flush on my 1986 Isuzu pick up the other day. I had to put in a new head gasket so I figured while I was at it I needed to flush the system. I also replaced the bad thermostat and it sure does heat up well now and runs better then it has in years but it also sat for years
Hobby farm

 

[old]

Well I just did a flush on my 1986 Isuzu pick up the other day. I had to put in a new head gasket so I figured while I was at it I needed to flush the system. I also replaced the bad thermostat and it sure does heat up well now and runs better then it has in years but it also sat for years. I used 100% vinegar to do the flush, found it works better then any thing you can buy at the auto parts stores
Hobby farm

 

[Walt Davies]

Trade it in on a good Ford.
Walt

11 years 60K and factory Coolant.
<a href="http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j50/WaltDavies/?action=view&current=pic004.jpg" target="_blank">

</a>

 

[glennster]

if the thermostat was bad, i am suprised you didnt get a check engine lite from the low temp coolant sensor. there should be a low coolant temp error showing up. you can try a new stat, but i would look to the heater core and lines too. check the antifreeze and see if it wasnt mixed with the old green stuff. it could have gelled a little and plugged the core.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The front end of the truck is really good now. I noticed last year that the truck doesn't warm up as fast as when I first bought it. It's got 285,000 kms. on it and otherwise runs pretty good. I don't have a way to flush it myself with a hose and was wondering if it's worth having a shop do it, or if it that would be a waste of money. Maybe just drain it and put some vinegar or cleaner in it and run it for a while? I think some shops charge up to $170 for a flush. If I can clean it out myself, I'd rather save the money. Should I run the Dex-cool or just standard antifreeze? Can I reuse the old coolant? Thanks for all the help. I want to be warm this winter. Dave

 

[Anonymous-0]

I think so. It warms up OK when the weather outside is warmer but as soon as the temperature outside gets around freezing, the heater doesn't give as much heat as it should. Once the truck is warm, the temp gauge reads in the same place as it always did but the heater doesn't blow as hot. Dave

 

[Dozer Guy]

Dave, Dont take it to a shop, You can do the same job yourself. Go to the local parts store and buy a flush kit, "I personally also buy a double female garden hose connector" because I like as much pressure in my cooling system as possible. The kit comes with every thing you need. TEEs clamps and even a spout so water dosnt get in the engine compartment as you are flushing out the system. Doing the job yourself will cost you about $30-40.00 including anti-freeze to refill afterwards " maybe less depending where you live. Besure that you buy the additive to put in the cooling sys. so it can help break up the deposits in the heater core and rad. Go by the instructions on the kit and I am sure you will be just fine. been doing it for a long time and always been OK. just keep the kritters away so the dont drink it"Anti-freeze claimed one good dog of mine! STUPPID ME!!

 

[Dozer Guy]

Also, Before you put anti-freeze in it, take one water hose off the heater core " the one that doesnt have the TEE clamped on it" and turn the water hose back on and see what kinda pressure you have comming out it, you might have to put the rad cap back on to get max pressure through the core , if the core is plugged , you will know right there what your next step is.. If the core is plugged, you can replace it as well. Larry

 

[dave guest]

Heater flush. They do get coated especially with stop leak.