Radiator Hoses and Changing Radiator Fluid

[slaughterj]

Figuring it's time for replacing my radiator hoses for my 98, especially since it's about time for a coolant change, I ordered the silicon hoses from Sean Roe. Per my Viper Fluids chart (http://www.yandros.com/Viper/ViperFluids.htm), Mopar Antifreeze or Zerex (traditional or Dexcool) was recommended in the past, but when I ordering my hoses, it was suggested that I do a system flush and replace with Extended Life Coolant (ELC) and 2 bottles of Redline water wetter. This led me to have a few questions:

1. What's involved with a radiator flush as distinct from draining (and can I do this at home)?
2. I'm assuming ELC is not the brand of fluid (or is it?), so what fluids are recommended?
3. Any thoughts on the Redline water wetter?

Thanks.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

There was a post in the last few days where a lot of people slammed the Water Wetter hard as causing lots of corrosion inside the engine. BTW, I recenlty put a set of the Sean Roe silicone hoses on my own 98 and the fit very nicely - plus the little air valve for burping made refilling the car with coolant super easy.

[EDIT] the post I was thinking about was over on the Gen III board:

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB21&Number=533186&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1#Post533749

 

[slaughterj]

Interesting - my car's temp runs fine, so without a need to lower it with water wetter, it seems I should not bother, just in case.

 

[SNKEBIT]

stay away from extended life a-freeze. Jury still out on bennies. GM has a problem with thiers. (i don't care what Tom says)lol
nobody leaves thier a.f. in for 5 years anyway, why pay extra????

 

[slaughterj]

So, is the option still Mopar or Zerex for antifreeze?

 

[SNKEBIT]

any good name brand stuff(green)

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

CounterPoint:
GM underfilled lots of Blazers at the factory, and with the radiator without a cap, nobody could tell. With that much air in the system, there was cause for all sorts of goop to form, no matter what coolant. Other GM engines had gasket issues.
Here's a joint GM-Texaco field study of DEXCOOL with the results.

Let's not overlook the real reason GM switched: water pumps. The additive package in green coolant contains silicates, which are abrasive to water pump seals. Taxi testing showed replacement within the warranty period went about to zero in field testing. By definition, DEXCOOL products do not contain silicates.

 

[Mark Red GTS Cooper]

John,

Call me also, I can walk you through the refill. You should put in the bleeder I added to mine,,

Can someone host a pic?

Mark

 

[STUGOTS]

I heard the same exact thing 2 bottles of watter wetter and ELC.

 

[SNKEBIT]

CounterPoint:
GM underfilled lots of Blazers at the factory, and with the radiator without a cap, nobody could tell. With that much air in the system, there was cause for all sorts of goop to form, no matter what coolant. Other GM engines had gasket issues.
Here's a joint GM-Texaco field study of DEXCOOL with the results.

Let's not overlook the real reason GM switched: water pumps. The additive package in green coolant contains silicates, which are abrasive to water pump seals. Taxi testing showed replacement within the warranty period went about to zero in field testing. By definition, DEXCOOL products do not contain silicates.

LOL TOM!!!I KNEW you'd post about that! LOL

btw, I still think Dex-cool is junk

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Can't help myself.
'92 Ram Van with 92000 miles, never changed coolant. '97 Intrepid with 172000 miles, changed twice (because this was an ex-company car in a coolant fleet test-duh- which is why I know a little about this pink stuff!) '94 Viper with 73000 miles changed once only because head came off to replace lifter. '96 Dakota with 76000 miles, never changed. Fleet tests with taxis, fleet test with HD trucks. Seen it all, and it's pretty cool stuff!

 

[Ron]

As Tom knows, I've been using Dex-Cool for 5 years and will happily continue. Perfect cooling system in all of my vehicles.

 

[slaughterj]

So Tom, are you advocating using Dexcool?

Mark, I just may do that - the Roe Racing hoses I ordered have a bleeder built in BTW.