QuestionQUESTION: I found a spare thermo for my sidekick can I test its operation before installation? I read that you can put it in hot water and heat it and at a certain temp it should open.
is there a reliable radiator flush that would help un-gunk the stop leak stuff I put in for a leaky headgasket that was replaced in spring?
last question will more of a watery mix raise or lower coolant temp in winter?
ANSWER: You can try the hot water method if you want. We can't do it here, because the boiling point of water at high altitude is below the thermostat opening temp.
Pick a flush Go to the parts store, not the discount store. Keep in mind that it's worth what you pay for it.
The coolant temp is thermostat controlled. Antifreeze concentration will not significantly affect this. Below 40% runs the risk of slushing in the radiator, and subsequent overheating, and overconcentration carries less heat, and won't offer proper corrosion protection. You should use a 50/50 mix. It will give you the best overall performance
scotty
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: my troubleshooting guide in our manual suggests reverse flushing the radiator or heater core before going thru the cost/ time of replacing either. I imagine the radiator cools from the top down so to reverse flush would mean flushing it upside down and the heater core the opposite of how it heats up?
ANSWER: You have it exactly right. However, if you can see lots of deposits looking down through the radiator cap hole, backflush both before and after using a chemical flush to remove the most debris possible. Since you have a heater problem, I would try flushing the heater core both forward and backward and then seeing if heater function is improved. I know I mentioned it in passing about the heater, but have you checked to see if the blend door is moving all the way to hot? The cable could be misadjusted.......
scotty
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you Scotty very much for your help!!!! I did not have any chemical flush handy, but reverse flushed the radiator and heater core. With the core I put high pressure from the garden hose back and forth between in and outlets and I got my heat from 90f to 150ish at the cabin vent. One last question on my coolant before I leave you to help other people in need. Is there a product that you can put in/ leave in the coolant to keep radiator clean while you drive? Thank you once again, your friend in Pa.
AnswerIf you wish, you can use the pink "permanent" (5 year) coolant, instead of the green 2 to three year coolant mixture. Some of the "boosters", and other additives help, but periodic changes eliminate chemical additive package deterioration that naturally occurs with time.
scotty
