PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

I believe the first time was at like 60K miles. The coolant has been changed at more frequent intervals than would normally be required, but I forget the exact mileage.

The coolant was changed in April 2021 at like just under 130K miles, and then it was changed again in November 2021 at a little over 140K miles because it was unavoidable due to the frame replacement process. When the thermostat went in September 2022 at like 157K miles, it got a coolant flush when the thermostat was replaced. This was before we knew the head gasket was bad. When the head gasket was replaced in October 2022, the coolant was obviously flushed and replaced again, so that's four times in less than two years; I've had the truck for just over thirteen years and put just over 158K miles on it before the head gasket was replaced. In that 13 years and nearly 160K miles, I'd say the coolant has been flushed at least five times, but more than likely six times.

 

I believe Toyota recommends 10year/100k. Then 5year/50k.

You won’t hurt anything doing it more frequently.

I wouldn’t worry about anything.
Wouldn’t even give it a thought while it is still in warranty.

 

I hated the Dex-Cool that GM used years ago, seemed like damn near every engine at used it blew intake and head gaskets.

 

This is an instance where I tend to differ from the manufacturer recommendations and don't feel that it is a "one size fits all" situation. Coolant is really an unknown hero of vehicle longevity.
It depends on how long one intends to keep the vehicle.

If you purchase new and tend to trade off in 3,5 or 7 years probably doing nothing will achieve that goal.
Cheap - sure
Ethical - well, it might not be so good for the next guy
Wise - up front maybe, however what if your life situation changes and you keep the vehicle longer than you anticipate, the next guy might be you

We all have met someone who was injured in their youth playing sports or similar and then had issues directly related to the injuries later in life.

What if that original coolant was sub-par a year or two before the first extended change out and our hard working old friend the head gasket was compromised a bit? Not enough damage to show up then but damaged just the same - now throw in years of heat up/cool down cycles and the fact that corrosion never sleeps (EX: Tacoma frame) and years later you are buying a head gasket job.

If your year and mileage goals are more ambitious than the average consumer a stepped up coolant service schedule may pay off in the future. I consider it a low cost insurance policy.

In Charlies case with a nice fresh job I would do a drain and fill every 3 years/50K and aim for 300K.

 

I can agree with that.
Sooner is better.

 

4-5 year old GM engines aren't supposed to blow up the top end at 70K well maintained miles and mine did, as did many others. Life just happens at times..then again I'm old enough to recall when 100K was the point where anything major would reasonably break.

You'd be surprised, my dad's 10 year old Chevy Citation was broken into and tried to take for a ride. Why? Joyride. That vehicle is less likely to have an alarm etc versus something newer or nicer

Death-Cool

 

They tried to do him a favor

 

I cant begin to tell you of all the cars and issues I've experienced because of death-cool. Head gaskets, intake gaskets ..... this is how I've got to the toyota brand.

 

@ABA180

I saw a Citation with a 4.9L Cadillac V8 in it at the Carlisle GM Nationals earlier this year...

 

Perhaps haha but man that car, ran to almost 200K and never had any major issues but for the famous steering problem until the head gasket let go.

I used to say I wanted to drop a 4.3 Vortec in my 1988 Celebrity...they were briefly sold with the 4.3 diesel so therefore it can be done fairly simply.

 

1982 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Diesel (virtualparking.net)

There was a diesel Monte Carlo for a few years too.

 

@ABA180
@ColoradoTJ
@shakerhood

Well, I just made amends with my old frenemy, the Rolls-Royce expert from Hong Kong. The world is going to shit and my conscience got the best of me with regards to making peace in case something really bad happens; I've made my peace with a couple people I had previously severed ties with, and I am proud of myself for doing so.

 

They had diesel Cadillacs and diesel Oldsmobiles too; I saw a diesel 1982 Chevette at a car show earlier this year...

 

@shakerhood

The only one I will not make peace with is Rose. She's made her choices and now she can live with the consequences...

 

Good choice to just leave her in the past, nothing but troubles from that one!