BX Radiator Flush

[BrokerBob]

I am entering my fourth season with a BX 1800. Probably have almost 120 hours on the meter. I pride myself in being overly attentive to the recommended maintenance schedule.

One area where I have failed, though, is the 2-year radiator flushing and coolant replacement. I thought I might tackle this within the next few weeks.

I have benefitted immensely over the years from the collective views, opinions and experiences shared on this forum. I have reurned to the well. Any suggestions, cautionary notes, advice, warnings, etc. would be appreciated.

Thanks,

BrokerBob

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Did it a few weeks ago, things I learned.

Preston Anti-freeze meets Kubota requirements. The bottle does not give any info. You have to go to the Prestone web site and look up the data.

I flushed the antifreeze into a large pan. Filled the radiator and emptied it with clean water each time until it ran clean. I think it took about 5-6 times to get a clean stream of water. Ran it perhaps 5 minutes to get it up to temperature.

The thermostat opens at 180F. I put a thermometer in the top on the radiator to record the temp. It made no difference with the cap on or off.

I had to cover the intake screen at your feet with newspaper to get it hot enough to open the thermostat.

Hope this helps.

 

[botalvr]

Radiator flush kills grass. Don't ask how I know that.

 

[upgw]

How did the coolant that initially came out look? Any rust? Dirt?

Thanks,
- Patrick

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

It looked fine, I did not notice any problem.

 

[DCRC]

My mechanic buddy reccomends against using a coolant flush for the fact that when you loosen up the scaling and buid up it all collects in the radiator, or in some of the small passages around the cylinder head gasket and can lead to greater problem such as over heating and a blown head gasket. They work on a lot of cars and commercial / fleet vehicles so I tend to listen when he talks.

I'm also not big on using the high silicate coolants like Preston. From what I understand they wear out your water pump, and seals quicker. I would use something that is labled as a low silicate version. Like Zerox G-05 or fleetcharge.

Here's a good little article that talks about the different kinds of coolant.
http://www.valvoline.com/downloads/DTurcotte_Mag_53_g.pdf

 

[Garrabo]

what do you think about coolant conditioner

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I flushed the radiator with water only until it ran clear. The manual warns against using any type of flushing product. The Prestone product met the Kubota manual requirements. I guess antifreeze is like oil, everyone has a product that is better then another. Do you think Kubota uses a low silicate antifreeze on the assembly line?

 

[upgw]

Yeah, that what I thought the answer would be. I like to follow the maintenance shedules as supplied by the manufacturers, but I also don't like wasting time, money and effort. Somehow I suspect that coolant changes, like HST oil changes, are not necessary anywhere near the frequency the manual calls for.

BTW - When you fill it back up, I'd recommend distilled water instead of tap water.

- Patrick

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Yea forgot about that, I did use distilled water.