It didnt take me 3 months. Took me about 2 weeks. The rest of the time I didnt get around to it. Didnt hurt anything. When I did mine I had over a gallon left in the block. I wasnt about to pull the plugs Thats why I just said screw it with the tap water. If I was able to get the block empty I would have poured all 50/50 in it. I doubt a shop is going to use distilled water and I doubt a gallon of city water is bad enough to destroy the whole system.

Hell I know a guy who's 99 blazer that over heated on a trip. He dumped a 40oz beer in the radiator and has been driving it the past 3 years. So dont judge me lol.

 

The plugs if you want come out easy with a ratchet and extension if you like and some thread sealant on the thread before you screw it back in you are golden. I've only done that once (First Cam Job). My most recent change 3 weeks ago when I had the Rad, hoses, and waterpump out for second Cam I didn't bother. Surprisingly the dealer had the best price on the coolant. I mix mine 60/40 BTw cause it gets cold here and although agree that distilled water is the best I used water out of my sink as we got good clean water here.

 

Look guys, I'm not saying you cant use tap water or will be certain to have problems using tap water or will even notice that tap water has cause any damage(primarily because you can't visually see the internals), but Tap water regardless on how Clean it looks to your eyeballs or how much you put into the system will contain Minerals that can and will overtime cause rust within the coolant system! it's inevitable. The best and only way to prevent that is to use distilled.
I'm not judging anyone and heck, I've used tap water in some of my other vehicles before, but I certainly wouldn't use it on one that I plan to keep or on a $30k+ vehicle, especially since a gallon of ditilled water is only $1 at the store OR is free if you boil it, let it cool and then pour it into a container or bucket.

 

Totally agree with ya Rich, but I do change my coolant often enough to get away with it on the ol girl. cause it gets so friggin cold up here you want the coolant at -52C......LOL.
After reading this thread though I will seriously consider the Distilled H20 factor when I have to change coolant in my Magnum R/T.

 

I know what your saying. I used a water hose to flush my block. I couldnt drain the block. Thats why its there. Then I topped it off with water because it was still leaking in my cab. Then drained much of as i could then topped it off with bottle antifreeze. It was the only choice i had at the time.

Not being an *** or anything, but boiling a pot of water doesnt make distilled water.

 

Pep Boys was a bit of a let down. They do not have the Dodge coolant. And oddly enough, they did not have either heater hose nor did they have either radiator hose.

I did pick up two gallons of distilled water, a new radiator cap and a bottle of radiator flush. I also picked up all the new hose clamps i will need.

I am going to hit my local Dodge dealer this week and get the hoses and 3 gallons of coolant. (1 gallon as a spare).

Here is my plan.....

1. Drain the sytem via yanking the lower hose. Then refill with tap water and the Flush chemical. Then run the truck for 20 minutes.

2. Yank the lower hose and drain the Flush chemical and water.

3. Refill with tap water only and run for 20 minutes.

4. Yank the lower hose and drain everything. Disconnect the heater hose at the block and using the garden hose run water through it to flush the heater core.

5. Remove and replace both heater hoses and radiator hoses.

6. Refill system with a 50/50 mix of Distilled water and Dodge Coolant.

Everybody agree with this plan? Anything you would do differently?

 

I' make sure the block is cool before flushing so you dont crack the fragile block and that the dodge coolant isnt already 50/50 mixed.

 

Ill definatley make sure it's cool. I am going to give myself all day for this project.

And ill be sure to check if the Dodge coolant is not already a pre mix.

 

i will admit i have not used the hoat coolant. i used prestone and never any issues. Ive flushed a few times as maintenance, time and money allow. Its hard to find the HOAT stuff around here (I HATE the dealer) and my oil (RP) is hard to find also

 

Just got back from the dealer. Picked up 3 gallons of the HOAT coolant. Cost was $54.00 out the door. Not too bad. Figure ill need 2 gallons for the fill and ill have one as a spare for topping off, etc.

I was amazed to find out my dealer did not have either heater hose or the upper and lower radiator hose. Even more amazing is the fact he has said they have NEVER had any of the 4 hoses in the shop. I said to him "This dealership has never replaced any of those hoses on a car?" And he said, "No".

I then called a total of 11 auto parts stores in my area. NONE stocked any of the hoses. Have a missed something? i always remember auto parts stores stocking tons of hoses. And it's not like a Hemi Ram is unusual. They are everywhere.

I guess replacing all of them must be overkill with only 5 years, 73,000 miles. I guess ill skip doing it. Not worth waiting 3-5 days plus shipping to order them all when apparently they last a LONG time.