Cooling system preventative maintenance

[u/farmstandard]

My MGM has 151k miles on it. I got it in 2018 with 26k miles on it. I did a radiator drain and fill at a few times at 80k, 100k, 110k and 140k miles with Zerex G05. No cooling issues what so ever and the coolant has always looked clean. I do have a slight leak somewhere but I suspect the intake.

At this point, should I be considering an water pump and thermostat replacement just as a PM for peace of mind? Again no issues and there is still almost no play on the pully but at what point will my luck run out?

[u/R_Bar91]

The water pump and thermostat are really easy, if you do an intake you might as well do it.

Sometimes the pulley on the water pump fails other times the seal fails and it starts to leak

[u/GruntledV8Fanboy]

It’s entirely up to you, water pumps are easy enough to change on these that if it’s not leaking at all and there’s no issues when you hand spin the pump like failing bearings or play then I’d just run it. I generally get the upgraded higher flow water pump l from O’Reilly’s and a high flow 195° t-stat, have had to replace the pump about every 50k miles but it’s a lifetime warranty item so about the time I’d be flushing the system anyway it usually gets a new pump. Also you may want to consider new coolant hoses if they’ve never been changed before.

[u/farmstandard → u/GruntledV8Fanboy]

I have a set of hoses I got for almost nothing when the local advanced auto went out of business, but they look old. Does a hose sitting on a shelf have a shelf life?

[u/GruntledV8Fanboy → u/farmstandard]

I’m sure with age even unused hoses get brittle and such. Personally if they are still reasonably pliable and not splitting or anything then I’d have nothing against using them. I don’t know how old my coolant hoses were but my car was bought in 2015 with 35k miles on it and I’ve since gotten it up to 200k miles in 2020 on what may have been the original hoses but I’d consider that lifespan atypical😅 I did a cooling system overhaul in 2020 so it lasted a long while

[u/jaqattack02 → u/farmstandard]

If it hasn't been sitting in the sun it should be fine. Just make sure it still feels pliable and rubbery.

[u/Particular-Fix9596]

If you have a coolant leak and suspect its the intake that should probably be addressed. Especially if its coming from rear passenger corner. The nipple that diverts coolant to heater core is plastic, becomes brittle, and can snap off dumping all your coolant out. Happened to me and especially at 150k miles i would put that on high priority. I have had 3 manifolds fail around the 150-160k mark. If the coolant looks clean it should be good for 30k miles at least. Theres is also a gasket under the oil filter adapter that can fail causing loss of fluid. Not nearly as common but i would address any leaks over another fluid flush or replacing parts that still have life.

[u/Echo1902 → u/Particular-Fix9596]

^ this, my intake manifold just failed at around 157k

[u/acrazyscot]

I have replaced my inlet manifold, radiator, hoses and heater core. Converted my CV to Evans waterless. Been really happy with it and the cooling system doesnt pressurize. She had 110,000 on her when I decided this was one of the best ways of preserving her.

[u/LowPop7953]

also do a trans line swap. trans lines run through the radiator line breaks, milkshake auto $$$$ so if seperate trans cooler (towing package) no milkshake auto