I have a 2004 Jayco Granite Ridge with the Ford V-10 engine. I have owned it for about 3 years myself. It only has about 18000 miles on it, but is now 12 years old. There were no service records available from the dealer when I bought it, so I have no idea if the coolant has ever been changed.I have a some questions about changing the coolant myself. I know the first response from some would be "do a search".. Ok, I did a rudimentary search and did not find all the information I need.First of all, is a change of coolant even necessary? Seems to be some difference of opinion on this, but seems like 12 years is a long time between changes, and I certainly don't see any harm in changing it even if it doesn't do a lot of good for the engine.I know about disconnecting the lower hose from the radiator and letting the coolant drain from the radiator and lower hose. How about the engine plugs? How hard are they to get to and is that part necessary for proper drainage? How about the transmission cooler lines?What I am looking for is answers from someone who has actually done this procedure themselves on their V-10. Any information, tips etc would be much appreciated.

Yes 12 years is too long.If still factory, your V10 has the "old" green AF fluid.When I changed mine I simply opened the bottom valve on the radiator and let it drain.But then I refilled with pure water and and ran the engine enough to get the system warm (ie open the thermostat), then drained it again.and repeatedand repeated and repeated, until I could see or smell no trace of AF.That way I was certain I got all the old AF out.I measured how much I drained, so I knew that I had only gotten slightly over half the liquid out at any time. So I used that as a bench mark for how much new AF to put in.I know that the common recommendation for the ol green AF is every 3 years or 36,000 miles.

If it looks good and tests good leave it alone there is no need to change it.

(In your search the auto part houses had a little vid or youtube)Here is how I did mine. Couple years ago I asked the same thing. Yes, it needs changed. Make sure you get the "right" type anti freeze (forget what type) I heard people say they had problems with "burping" the radiator and I didn't want to mess with hose. So I picked up a cheap manual fluid pump from harbor freight (under $10) and sucked out every bit I could after jacking up rear end. Pumped into empty gallon jugs so I knew how much old came out and replaced with new the same amount. Kept my eye on the plastic bottle and after driving some, added till between lines of normal.If I remember right... I also changed the t-stat when fluid was out? There probably better way but that's what I did. One reason was I can't get rid of anti freeze except a gallon at a time with trash unless I want to take it to our household haz place and wait in line for long time. Worked for me.

If it looks clean and performs well consider just draining the radiator and refill with premix 50/50 for a shot of additives to limit corrosion.If you do add any water to rinse or fill... use only distilled. At less than $1/gal it is well worth it.

There's a drain valve on the bottom of the radiator. I usually place a hose onto that to help reduce splashing. If it doesn't look contaminated, a simple drain and fill should be sufficient.

Changing coolant in Ford V-10 | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

Bluedog
Explorer
Mar 08, 2016
I was under the impression that the newer types of anti-freeze cannot be mixed between brands or colors.

However, if the Ford dealer only drains 1/2 of the "Green" and refills with "Gold" why go through all the procedures described to drain the last drop?
Harvey51
Explorer
Feb 29, 2016
Yes, indeed!
NOT time to change the coolant - first time is 100k miles for E350 V8.
dennislanier
Explorer
Feb 19, 2016
Oldme wrote:
Schedules for Fords

Ford cooling

Great information here. Thanks very much.
Harvey51
Explorer
Feb 19, 2016
Good idea! Ours is a 2004 with 100 thousand km. Time to change the coolant and the belt. I won't change the hoses yet unless one feels old and brittle. I have a 1992 van with 265 k on it with no hose replacements. I did have a hose clamp failure on it one time.
Oldme
Explorer
Feb 17, 2016
Schedules for Fords

Ford cooling
WA7NDD
Explorer
Feb 17, 2016
When I bought our 1998 V-10 two years ago with no service records, with 35,000 miles on it, I decided to invest in it. I know all about the V-10 spark plug problem. I had every hose replace, radiator and engine flushed, brakes flushed, front break hoses replaced, shocks, steering stabilizer, tie rod ends, and caster changed to +5. Rear end had a small leak, replaced seal and new oil,and mass air flow sensor rebuilt. I forgot what else I had done, but what a difference. Paid $3,500 to a trusted privet garage with a long history of good service. Went on a 2500 mile trip with 13 mpg average, no cooling problems, or any other problem. Flushing breaks, shocks, and steering stabilizer, and +5 caster made huge difference in handling.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Feb 16, 2016
Never remove the block plugs, they are not designed to come out or go back in.

I would not remove the coolant hose until the radiator has been drained all the way via the plug on the bottom of the radiator.

If you want to replace the hoses, I would do that at the same time. You don't want them to get to old. Check your drive belt too - might as well replace it while it is easy to get to, and in your driveway, not in a National Park, like I had to replace my alternator belt.

Brake fluid is another important fluid to change every 7 years or so. To do that, open a bleeder at each wheel (with a 3/8" hose on the bleeder to catch the fluid in a jar) and drain. Someone will have to pump the brakes, then you open the valve while they push and hold. Then you close the valve, they pump 3-4 times and push and hold, while you open the valve. After you collect about 5 ounces, refill the reservoir with new fluid, and repeat until you get the clear fluid from each brake cylinder.

Good luck,

Fred.
CloudDriver
Explorer
Feb 15, 2016
One thing to remember regarding automobile antifreeze is that it is toxic and is regulated as a hazardous waste. It shouldn't be just drained onto the ground or poured down the toilet. Our county has a household hazards waste recycling facility and I collect the old antifreeze and take it there for proper disposal.
Dr_Quick
Explorer II
Feb 15, 2016
I have the Ford 5.4 which is basically the smaller version of the V-10.
Here is how I changed my antifreeze as per Ford recommendations. Drained the radiator, and only one block plug was accusable so took that out too. Other side was behind motor mount. Disconnected top radiator hose and took thermostat out. Disconnected one of the heater hoses, then flushed water both ways at disconnect point. You may have to prop open heater house vacuum actuated valve. Ran water both ways until all traces of old antifreeze was gone, with and without one block drain plug closed. Put T'stat back in and reconnected all the hoses. Then added full strength antifreeze until I had put in 1/2 of engine capacity. Then finish filling with 50/50 solution.
With the age of the vehicle you may consider putting on all new hoses too.
dennislanier
Explorer
Feb 15, 2016
Thanks very much for the information. It seems from these replies that it is not necessary for me to remove the engine plugs, just drain and refill as you folks have done. I will probably replace the hoses while I am at it, but this is exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks again.