Have 108k on the truck, want to flush the coolant. Dealer quoted me $189 for flush(they say they have some kind of pressure machine to clean it out) and fill.


I checked online and it says I need 21qts of coolant, and Amazon has motorcraft coolant for $22 which makes 2 gallons(with 50/50 water). So that means just for coolant it would cost me about $70 for coolant. Which means I'm being charged $110 for the actual flush/fill/disposal.

Does this sound reasonable?

I have done coolant before on past vehicles, but I really don't want to have 21qts of waste I need to bring in. And also, I live right by a storm drain if I flush it out with a hose I don't want that stuff getting into my well water..................

 

They don't call them stealerships for nothing. I had both coolant and trans fluid flushed last year and replaced with the correct fluids by a local shop for not much more than that.

 

What do you need to "flush"? Just drain it into a bucket and take it to a local auto parts place to recycle it. Refill with the Motorcraft Gold coolant and some distilled water from the grocery store. You can have it done in less time than it would take you to drive it to the dealership and come back. I'd recommend buying new upper/lower radiator hoses and a new belt if they haven't been changed in 100K or more.

 

Not at our Advance. Only oil, no solvents, no coolants, no acids.

 

Take it to an independent shop that has the machine, it should be considerably cheaper and they will recycle the old coolant.

 

Had my Expedition done at a local lube shop for $89. They had a machine that sucked all the old coolant out.

 

Huh? No Coolant at Advance? How can that be?

I'd hate to be stuck wherever you are in NJ and need emergency coolant.

Just go to the dealer and get the Motorcraft brand. I wouldn't trust Prestone or any other coolant in my Ford radiator. I'd also get name brand distilled water too.

 

He meant that Advance won't take used coolant for recycle, only motor oil.

Our county dump will take it though.