2000 GMC Jimmy Cooling System Flushing with Chemical

PHILIPMINER

MEMBER
2000 GMC JIMMY
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
147,000 MILES

Just rodded and rebuilt the radiator and will be putting in 50/50 mix of the green stuff. I have not used the Dex-Cool for several years. Is there a significant benefit to flushing the system with cleaners, such as Prestone Super Radiator Cleaner? I used the above cleaner and flushed the system about two years ago. I did not get the two years or 50,000 miles on the coolant. How long can I expect coolant to last.

Thanks,

Phil Miner

3 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,757 POSTS

Your truck is 10 years old so if it was changed 2 years ago, it already had 8 years on it and if your radiator was plugged up, so was the rest of the system. Cleaning a radiator is rarely done these days because the radiators they make now are pretty much disposable and don't clean well. You likely still had a bunch of red mud still in the system 2 years ago and that will be a problem. The chemical flushes can help but usually are not that thorough in cleaning. If you installed green coolant, you have lost all extended life properties anyway. That is a 2 year/24K coolant.

If you do attempt to flush it again, remove the T-stat first and run it for an hour or so, preferably down the highway with the chemical in it. To remove it, unhook the upper hose from the radiator side and insert a water hose into the radiator filler hole. Run the engine keeping the radiator full until all the water flows clean and then drain it, install the t-stat and refill it with coolant. I recommend staying with Dexcool.

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Wednesday, September 29th, 2010 AT 7:36 AM

MOTORKING

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Phil,
I am the tech manager at Prestone. You should remove your thermostat, fill the cooling system with water and super flush. Drive the car for at least an hour and then thoroughly flush the system. You should not be using the "old green" coolant. It contians silicates and the water pump seal in your vehicle can and will eventually be harmed by the silicates. You should be using a long life OAT based coolant. If your dex-cool adverse ( you really shouldnt be, most all automakers are going to it in 2011), you can use Prestone long life coolant, mix with distilled or deionized water at a 50/50 mixture and you will not need cooling system service for the next 5 years.

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Friday, October 1st, 2010 AT 8:52 AM

WRENCHTECH