[C320-list] Change coolant 200 hours on engine

[Christian]

More than engine hours, time is a factor in coolant.  I now change my
coolant every season, and I only put about 25 hours on my engine a season.
Why do I do it every season? Green coolant begins to break down a little
over the 2 year mark.  When it breaks down, it a) can become corrosive to
your engine, and b) loses it's antifreeze properties. Coolant is cheap.
It's difficult to completely flush all coolant out when changing coolant,
so changing it every year ensures I don't have any remnants sitting in
engine more than 2 years.  I'm also in Chicago, where we have winter's that
can get to -20F for a few days, so maintaining the antifreeze properties
for our winters is important.

The purple antifreeze will last longer before breakdown, but it's more
expensive, harder to find, and requires all green stuff completely flushed
out, and a flush of a water cycle too, as the green and the purple don't
mix well.

Just my 2 cents on changing coolant.
-Christian Caperton
1994 C320 #138 "Canuck" Monroe Harbor, Chicago, IL

On Wed, Sep 23, 2020 at 9:58 AM Jeff Smith <jeffreyssmith at live.com> wrote:

> Dan,
>
> Which engine and which pump, raw water or coolant? I assume coolant. The
> M30 had a drain on the left side of the engine looking from the front. I
> would simply drain the coolant and refill while replacing the pump. On a
> car I would never change the coolant just to change the coolant again when
> you break the water pump loose.
>
> I would have spare hoses and clamps on hand, though.
>
> Others may have different thoughts.
>
> Jeff
> ‘94, #121
>
> Sent from a TRS80 computer
>
> > On Sep 23, 2020, at 10:05 AM, danb70341 at gmail.com wrote:
> >
> > 
> > I am replacing the water pump and was told to change the coolant first
> since it’s been some time from previous change and to use the defective
> water pump until process completed. I believe there are 4 qts of coolant in
> system and two drain plugs one for block other heat exchanger. Not sure on
> water heater. I will drain run fresh water through while slowly running
> engine then close plugs and add new coolant/antifreezes.  Is this process
> correct from those who have experienced the change?
> > Thanks for insights
> > Dan Bochniak
> >
> > Tranquility 1995 #250
> >
> > Sent from my iPad
>