calvin

I had my coolant flushed and refilled today. The mechanic who did it said he could only get 6 gallons in it but the max is 7. He said there was an air bubble in the system and it should work it's way out soon and I should just add the gallon then. Well on my way home I noticed the temp gage go up to 245*F and the fan was roaring like never before. I got off the next exit, shut it down and refilled it. The temp went down right away and it's been okay since. Do you guy's think that hurt it at all? It was only running that hot for about 5 minutes or so.
Thanks for the help.

slighfoxs3500

I doubt you should be worried but you got my heart going a bit. I had a buddy add cold water to his hot gasser and it cracked the block. Don't know if diesels are as touchy but be careful anywho. Did your temps return to normal the rest of the trip and did you lose any fluids after filling that last gallon? Guessing you added to the overflow tank and or let it cool off awhile.

calvin

slighfoxs3500,
As soon as I added the coolant the temp went down and has stayed down. I wasn't driving the truck that long before it over heated and there wasn't much heat coming off the engine. After adding the last gallon the level was full and has stayed that way all day. It seems to be back to normal. I was just wondering if that high temp would do any damage in the long run.
Thanks

mymaur

Not to be a smart ***, but why did you flush the coolant on a 2003?

Just curious.

bulabula

[quote author=mymaur link=board=17;threadid=20679;start=0#msg194124 date=1065571701]
Not to be a smart ***, but why did you flush the coolant on a 2003? Just curious.[/quote]Yeah, me too.

slighfoxs3500

Okay, besides the other question of why you did it. I would keep an eye on things for a little bit and the relax. These engines are fairly buulet proof. Not like a ricer with alluminum heads and such. The block is thick and durable. Check the oil next change for any signs of coolant or other contaminants. Keep an eye on your driveway for signs of leaks(oil/coolant) and if you see any go back to the mechanic who sent you out of his shop like that in the first place. good luck and sleep well cause I doubt you have any problems to worry about.

DodgeRamCO42

Since I own a 2003 also, I too wonder why you flushed the coolant?

SuperGewl

Yeah, me too. Why did you flush an 2003 ??? ???

Vaughn MacKenzie

Some of us are obsessive-compulsive maintenance freaks

MCummings

[quote author=calvin link=board=17;threadid=20679;start=0#msg194064 date=1065566288]
The mechanic who did it said he could only get 6 gallons in it but the max is 7.[/quote]

Do these numbers really sound right? I though the number of gallons was closer to 15?
How many miles on that '03? I've seen a couple 50,000 mile '03's floating around.

My '98.5 was on the original coolant with 100,000 miles until the headgasket decided to go South. (ok, ok, So I blew it up)

Merrick Cummings Jr

calvin

I have 49,000 miles on it and I was told to flush before I move to Edwards Colorado next month. Elevation is about 8000 feet and below zero temps are the norm at night.
The advice I got from this web site was to flush it once a year no matter how many miles.

slighfoxs3500

Yeah, so there. You told all those ney sayers and I doubt they'll come back for more, of you anyway. I just opened myself up to all kinds of hate and discontent. I doubt 6 or 7 dollars worth of antifreeze and some free water put calvin back as much as a blown head gasket and I know it's about 1000 times as much for a new engine. He educated his self with all the wisdom on this site, took some advice and took the steps he deemed needed. Good for you calvin and all you others can hide your heads in shame. ;D Just kidding, thought had crossed my mind to ask but hey it is his truck and I replace all the filters, oil, belts aand sensors way to often but I sleep well at night and feel good about long trips. The books say 26 quarts of coolant and water at 50 to 50 ratio and it aslo say that there is a vent to prevent air from getting trapped in the system. Go figure! Check this mechanic out before going back to him again. 4 quarts to the gallon right, so that is about 6.5 gallons. No offense anyone, just in a good and kinda sarcastic mood. Blame my kids for making me this way.

JKE

I believe that flush 1 time per year is good practice. I also want to add a filter to the coolant system for long term protection. I have seen them for gassers.

John.

bulabula

Hey Calvin, I wouldn't worry about it and just drive it.

BTW, I prefer to use the term, "she got hot", rather than "overheated". Overheated has a twinge of finality in it to me. Helps me sleep better at night. I've had engines warm up on me too, iron engines, not aluminum; never had a problem. Jeez, hope I haven't jinxed myself now.

With 49k on her, you've got 51k to practice those 5 words: "no sir, she never overheated".