How often should I flush and refill the radiator

How often should I drain the radiator, flush out the system, and refill it with fresh fluid.

Tractor is not used everyday. Mostly just mowing.

Last flush and refill was two years ago.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

I don't know anything about the cummins but on a navistar you would have been very luck for the cylinder walls to last that long. My ops manual says to check the antifreeze every 15K. It has to do with acidity or something and the diesels will get holes eroded thru the cyl walls. It has got nothing to do with freeze protection.

You know I never said anything to my dad when he had to put the snake oil in the rad to "lube" the water pump, but i thought I would never see that legend mentioned in 2007.

Careful guys diesels and gassers are apples and oranges.

NH makes a FW-15 addative for the sleaved diesels to prevent this. My 7610s and 5000 get a bottle every year... ( you can strip test it.. )

Soundguy

I try to change the coolant in all of my equipment that has ethylene glycol type antifreeze every two years. I agree with your comment about the anti-freeze properties being "permanent" and the lubrication and corrosion protection properties having a limited life that deteriorates over time.

Another factor to consider is the electrolysis protection. Though more of a factor in modern automotive engines with aluminum components, this protection also has a limited life.

Finally, when you do change your coolant, it is a good idea to use distilled water rather than tap water. You do not need the trace amounts of chlorine, flouride, etc. from the tap water in your cooling system for years.

Dean

My well water is not treated in any way. Use it as is straight out of the well. No chlorine or other chemicals here.

Pooh Bear

Some antifreeze comes already mixed 50/50.

I just replaced my 95 Dodge Cummins Diesel anti-freeze after 11-yrs; 6-gals. I "litmus-paper" dipped the old freeze, it was still "good" to 0F. New 50/50 AF good to -30F. I did replace the cyclin' thermostat (a known problem, but not crucial)

Read the anti-freeze bottle brand of yer choice..... ...Dell who reminds you, DON'T LET YER DOGGY DRINK ANTI-FREEZE, it'll POISON their LIVER in 24-hrs, curable iff'n caught in time.

Changed it last year in the car for the first time. The car is a 97 escort. The thermostat was corroded so bad that it just crumbled apart when I removed it. I'd like to avoid problems like this with my tractor. If I took half as good of my car as I did my tractor then the car mite last over 50 years too.

I do change the oil every year in the tractor and replace the Napa 1010 filter with a new one. Oil usually drains out as clean as it went in.

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

Modern antifreeze does not ever have to be replaced as long as the coolant is clean and no rust present. I have vehicles that have antifreeze in them that have been in them over 40 years. One is a 51 Ford car and the other is a 50 TO 20 Ferguson tractor. The Ferguson has had oil on top of that coolant for the past 35 years. Stick your finger in it and it comes out black. Tempest in a tea pot!

Zane