Baster to coolant?

[Desert Sage]

My coolant was a crisp clean translucent yellow when new, and over time it has darkened.

I have only touched up coolant loss with OEM Motorcraft 50/50 coolant, which kept the original tint, but now the color has darkened.

I am not having any overheating problems. I have almost 50,000 on the unit.

The dealer topped off the reservoir a 1/2" or so- but I'm not sure with what. No matter, it was getting kind of murky before the dealer visit.

My question is: would it hurt anything remove the dirty colored coolant with a baster, and then refill the reservoir with fresh new coolant?

Thanks in advance for help...

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[Grumpaw]

Won't hurt a thing...will be good for the system. Easy way to, over a period of time, replace/replenish the coolant without a complete flush.
Been doing the same for many years with our previous Subaru's and when Ranger starts to look a bit grungy, will do the same.

 

[MarioCart]

Go ahead and baste away if you like.
Myself I would look a little deeper into the problem first.
Coolant will always darken over time. How fast that happens would lead me to look for other issues.

First and foremost, is it muddy too? does it have any particles in it? If its not there yet and passes the standard tests, I would leave it for the time being.

 

[Wytchdctr]

I am not waiting for the Ford recommended coolant stuff. Going to do it far more often but just dump and flush the radiator and surge tank. Might do a real flush if/when I do hit that mileage.

 

[Blue Streak]

If you just clean out & replace coolant in tank it will probably look the same as before you cleaned it after your first drive at normal operating temp. Much more capacity in the radiator & block than the tank. If you really want it clean best to do a flush & fill, then your good for awhile.

 

[got3fords]

First and foremost, is it muddy too? does it have any particles in it? If its not there yet and passes the standard tests, I would leave it for the time being.

Totally agree, my thoughts are that when new there is a lot mfg residue that is totally harmless but shows up like something nasty in the semi-clear coolant tank. It would probably get less over time if 'basting' it out once in while. But still, it probably is not an issue otherwise, unless like said, looks muddy.

 

[Frenchy]

Will not hurt it at all. If anything why not do a drain and fill if you are that concerned? You could get more changed that way

 

[KJRR]

Isn't basting the antifreeze out of the tank like freshening the oil by changing the filter? ?
Doesn't hurt anything but seems like a waste of time.
Just drain the whe damn thing and be done with it.

 

[5thranger]

My coolant was a crisp clean translucent yellow when new, and over time it has darkened.

I have only touched up coolant loss with OEM Motorcraft 50/50 coolant, which kept the original tint, but now the color has darkened.

I am not having any overheating problems. I have almost 50,000 on the unit.

The dealer topped off the reservoir a 1/2" or so- but I'm not sure with what. No matter, it was getting kind of murky before the dealer visit.

My question is: would it hurt anything remove the dirty colored coolant with a baster, and then refill the reservoir with fresh new coolant?

Thanks in advance for help...

I drain the tank and radiator, Then fill back up with distilled water, I do that a couple times then take out and drive. Drain that out and refill with Prestone with coreguard and distilled water mixed 50/50. When starting back up to eliminate air pockets you can rev engine to 2000 rpm and hold for one minute, shut off for one minute, turn heater on full blast run at 2000 rpm for one to two minutes. By then you should have air pockets bled out, if there were any. I also use a tall funnel which helps with eliminating air pockets. I haven't back flushed my vehicles in years. This is how my wife does it as I let her do the maintenance on the vehicles as she enjoys it so much while I watch.

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

Harbor freight has a great suction pump that will save you much time over the turkey baster for about $8

I used to baste too lol

 

[Mr.Mel]

What is this baster thing? Man up and siphon that junk out with a short hose, a few sucks and your in business! See my brain still functions after many mouthfulls of that 60's leaded gas.

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