SOLSTER'S '99 maintenance service

[SOLSTER]

thanks rodeo96!

Question (again on a '99 3.2L auto):

Need some math help. How much does the entire coolant system hold, and how much does a cold radiator drain (i can measure that myself).

Here'ss what I'm thinking, I like the flush idea that goes: do a cold drain, add a radiator flush product, run to circulte, let cool, drain when coolled, fill with distilled water, repeat few times approach until coolant sytem contains only distilled water, then cold drain the radiator, refill with a 100% concentration of antifreeze, this then mixes with the distilled water in the rest of the cooling system, hopefully creating a 50-50 mix, which of course should be checked.

So, the math question, if I cold drain the radiator, how much will it take to refill, and how much will at that time be in the rest of the cooling system. Hopefully someone with a manual can calculate this out!

I found these numbers for a '96 3.2L passport, will they translate to a '99 rodeo 3.2L auto?
The Service Manual for the 1996 3.2L V6 states that the coolant capacity is 9.3 qts/ 8.8L for automatic transmission but then prints 8.4L in another section. A typo, but if you stay in that area you'll probably be okay.

THANKS!!!!

[SOLSTER]

I offer this for future readers!

I flushed the radiator 2 days ago, it went well. it is a '99 rodeo S, auto, 4x4, 59K, radiator has never been serviced in anyway.

I did not want to use a flush kit, or a radiator flush product (heard concerns it loosens deposits, and can cause leaks/problems).

I did 6 drains on the radiator (warmed, then cooled the engine in between to circulate the fluid):
1st drain, very dark green color, very little contaminants (original fluid).
filled with about a gallon of distilled water (58 cents at walmart)
2nd - 4th drain, filled with D. Water, warmed, cooled, drained, very dark green each time.
5th fill/drain, finally, the drained fluid was showing dilusion from the distilled water, but still a dark green, just mildly translucent.
6th drain, finally, the fluid was light lime green colored, like a watered down lime drink. Another flush or 2 would have likely gotten it to very near clear, but I had no more bottled distilled water, and figured it was flushed well enough.
Filled it with a gallon of pure 100% prestone, hoping it would mix to a 50-50 mix with the water in the block. added a 50-50 mix to the resevoir.
TESTED the concentration using a Preston AntiFreeze Tester (the kind that draws fluid from the radiator). It tested to a perfect 50-50 mix, SUCESS!!!

The Prestone AF tester came with no instructions, and the pep boys guys did not know how it worked, and no instructions on prestone.com. BUT, I did my own test. started with two seperate/equal quantities of distilled water and AF. The tester pegged to the top of the tester in the 100% AF, and pegged to the bottom with the 100% distilled water. A 50-50 mix should register about half way at the -37F/-34C mark. As I added the water to the AF, the measure did not peg to the top, but declined. When I mixed a perfect 50-50 mix, it was right on the mark at the -37F/-34C mark. As I said above, once I flushed the radiator, and added the gallon of Prestone, drove it for a while, it tested to the -37F/-34C mark. I've tested it a few times since, and it still checks.

The way I did the flush was VERY CLEAN, and lost no fluid to the ground. I think this is a better method than using those flush kits that use a hose, but to each there own. Now I need to drive the 6 gallons I drained to iffy lube for disposal (free service).

Feels good to get that fluid changed after being in there over 5 years!!!
Thanks for all those tips!
SOLSTER

[SOLSTER]

Hi all!

Ive been researching the forum on the EGR plumbing maintenance, and have a few questions. I'll probably ask over a few posts, so please keep an eye on this thread, I'd appreciate it.

This picture has a question about the brake booster vaccum?


Original image from VXRaNgEr
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...?threadid=3203

Do you all worry about adding carb cleaner to the brake booster, or the pcv line to the intake?? Obviously the two holes under the EGR valve, and the EGR port in the throttle body are critical to clean, but how about these other two lines?

thanks!!!