How can I do a coolant flush?

Good morning.

The system holds about sixteen quarts complete.

If you are going to flush it, drain out all the old coolant. Remove the plugs for the block as well. Then I would remove the thermostat. Then add only water with your flushing agent. And run the truck for about half an hour. Then drain out all your water replace the thermostat with a new one and then add your new coolant. Run the engine at about 1,200 rpm's and watch the coolant level. Add as needed. You will know when the air is gone when you get full heat inside the truck.

Get the 50-50 mix gallons of coolant and add as needed. I would get four gallons of the 50-50 mix.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

This video shows it on a similar car

https://youtu.be/j8_MD76LbiQ

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Would it not be better to get two gallons of full strength because you be getting mostly water in 50/50. Where is the engine plugs at and how do you get them out?

50-50 is recommended and will protect to -35.

If you use full strength, the temperature will not come up to thermostat temperature and the engine fuel mapping will be off and will set codes for not heating up.

Roy

I know I have to mix it. What I am saying is I am better off to get two gallons of full strength and mix with distilled water then by three jugs of 50/50 because you are pouring more water in truck then antifreeze with the 50/50 jugs. Because you are also going to have water in block where you cannot drain it out.

50-50 is the proper mix. All you would be doing with your full strength is making two gallons from one gallon of 100%. It will be exactly the same as if you got two gallons of 50-50 coolant.

Roy

What about the water in the block it would dilute it?

After you open the drains on the block on either side, it will drain all the block. Remember you have to open those plugs to drain either side of the block to remove everything.

Roy

I know but where are the drains on the block or are you talking about pulling freeze plugs out?

There are small plugs about the middle of the block on each side. They are pipe plugs around 1/4 or 5/16. They are the drains for the block. I do not have a picture of them or I would post.

Roy

Are they underneath the truck towards oil pan or are they on side of the block?

They are on the side of the block down low by the oil pan.

Found a picture.

I have no idea where to start. I Just looked in the engine coolant resivoir and it is very low and is a dark brown rusty color. I really need to flush out the system and put in new engine coolant. How do I go about doing that ? Do I put the water in the resivoir to flush it out or somewhere else. Can I drive it the way it is to get to a store to get the coolant. It is driving a little hot but not too bad. Do I have to drain the block ? If someone could give me a step by step process that would be great and mostly appreciated. Thank you sooo much. And I do apologize for my ignorance on the issue.

If you are going to do it yourself, drain the radiator and remove the block drain plug(s). Also remove the thermostat. Run fresh water through the cooling system until it runs clear. Replace the block plugs and radiator drain plug and refill with coolant. Also make sure the heater is set to maximun heat (to clean the heater core).
This is a messy business, and coolant is toxic and hard to clean up.
You may want to look at the cost to flush the system at a local garage, in many cases you can get it done for under $150.

how do i flush the radiator

open the petcoclk an dlet it drain or pull a hose an dlet it drain form that then start by puttign wter in system. you can find it on any of hte systems sold at auto parts stores.