Almost to 100k. Looking to do a full fluid swap.

[CaddyStrophic]

Transmission fluid, gear oil and coolant.

I'm going to have a shop do the coolant swap, supplying my own coolant and distilled water.

Trans and gear oil I will swap myself. (Already did an oil change with Royal Purp a few weeks ago.)

Any tips, tricks or things I should look out for? Thanks.

Edit: 2008 H3 Alpha 5.3. Sorry for leaving that out.

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[Paranormal]

I replaced all my fluids last fall. There are a few good videos on you tube. Also Search the forum to determine what fluid to install in the transfer case. Some years call for tranny fluid and others call for gear oil. The tranny pan is a PITA to remove without making a mess, no matter how careful you are. You will have to remove the half shaft from the front in order to access the pan bolts. This was not hard to do, just messy. Here is a video from you-tube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqRqK8L2-ZU

 

[f5moab]

It always helps to know the year, engine, etc. Year especially if older, and you are doing the t/case.

 

[rascole]

Brake and power steering fluid? Easy to do with a turkey baster.

 

[CaddyStrophic]

I just stopped by one of my local shops and axed about them doing a complete coolant flush for me. He said, "Oh, because you want to switch out the Dexcool?!?"

I said no, that Dexcool is fine to refill with. He said that he doesn't carry Dexcool, that GM doesn't use it any more and that it corrodes everything.

He said he wanted to put a coolant that is safe to mix/put into any system, and said it was green.

Is this a bad idea? I am even willing to bring my own Dexcool and distilled water, but if the new stuff is safe, I'll just pay for the $70 for the flush and fill.

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[f5moab]

Dexcool is still made and used. I have it in my 2015 Silverado. They had problems when first released, primarily on one engine. Find someone else since it appears he is ignorant or just trying to screw over you.

And if you have an early 2007 or a 2006 H3 understand the fluid fill for the t/case is NOT to the bottom of the fill hole!

 

[alrock]

Yes, use Dexcool. I'm not a fan of techs that are flatly wrong. Opinions are one thing, but incorrect info is another.

Your 08 won't have the fill issues of the '06 on the transfer case - which you didn't mention as an item you are addressing. You should do both diffs, transfer case and transmission. Owner's manual likely specs 75W-90 synthetic for the diffs and you'll use 4 qts or a bit more for both diffs. For the transmission and the t-case, Dex VI is likely the spec. You'll need about 1.6 qts. for the t-case and about 6 for the transmission. You can find some part numbers in my Amazon sticky.

Notes: get a new filter and gasket for the transmission
Remove fill bolts before you remove drain bolts to make sure you can fill diffs and t-case (an old F5 tip)
A little thread sealant on fill/drain bolts is a good idea http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...olt sealant&qid=1456551817&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2
Transmission - leave one or two bolts in and loose when draining to allow the pan to slowly tip and drain down, then remove last bolts to fully empty. You are forewarned - you'll probably wear some of the trans fluid so wear old clothes.
Change t-case fluid much more often than owner's manual specs. Evidence is beginning to gather that this fluid should maybe be changed every 25K or so. It gets nasty very quickly and there's no filter. At about $15 per fluid change (if you do yourself) it's nice insurance vs a $1500 transfer case.

As rascole mentioned, it's a good time to bleed the brakes too, whether you pay a shop or do yourself. And swap out as much power steering fluid as you can as well.

 

[CaddyStrophic]

Thanks a lot, guys.

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[Renagade132]

That's all great information to know for future.

 

[Ghostbuster]

Uh I had my dad's oil change place do a radiator flush not to long ago... they filled it with the green stuff, 50/50 mix. That's not the right stuff is it? 09 alpha.

Should I take it to Firestone and have them put the right stuff in for $90?

 

[CaddyStrophic]

Uh I had my dad's oil change place do a radiator flush not to long ago... they filled it with the green stuff, 50/50 mix. That's not the right stuff is it? 09 alpha.

Should I take it to Firestone and have them put the right stuff in for $90?

My '08 Alpha has orange coolant, which is Dexcool. I'd say they added this "mix-with-anything coolant" to your dad's ride.

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[alrock]

If it were my vehicle, I'd have it flushed and put Dexcool in.

 

[citiboy]

I'll be replacing the Dexcool with Evans waterless coolant next month on my mom's 08 Alpha. I also will be replacing front and rear diff and transfer case fluids. Also installing Tru-Cool Max LPD47391 transmission cooler and eliminate the radiator cooler, complete transmission fluid flush and replace filter. Since i went with Evans a year ago on both my 08 H2 and 09 H3, i'm very satisfied with the product, lower temperature and best of all since there is no water, no pressure build-up which prolong the life of the cooling system parts.

Tru-Cool Max LPD47391
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321708309792?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

ACDELCO PRO 24225323
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201382600708?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Evans NPG+C High Performance Waterless Coolant
http://www.ebay.com/itm/361194370739?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[rascole]

Be careful with the Evans Waterless Coolant. I have seen and heard of many issues if you do not adhere to the fine print. It is glycol and nothing special BUT with small amounts of water it will become corrosive. We use a similar product on some of our machines here at work and our machinists hate it. Some of my race buddies use to run it in there race trucks but it caused more leaks and ruined a few all aluminum engines.

 

[CaddyStrophic]

Had the flush done today at a shop I found and liked. $172 for a flush, fill and tire rotation.

Autozone had a special for 5 quarts of Royal Purple oil and a 10,000 mile STP filter for $40. Grabbed that deal.

I also grabbed 5 quarts of Dexron VI transmission fluid, as well as the filter and gasket from Autozone. On to the next step soon!

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[alrock]

Glad to hear of the progress. The holy grail of vehicle ownership is finding a shop you like and trust. Doesn't have to be the cheapest, you just gotta feel good when you leave.

 

[Tengo1]

Dexcool is still made and used. I have it in my 2015 Silverado. They had problems when first released, primarily on one engine. Find someone else since it appears he is ignorant or just trying to screw over you.

And if you have an early 2007 or a 2006 H3 understand the fluid fill for the t/case is NOT to the bottom of the fill hole!

Can someone give me more details on this? I have an early '06 and have been planning to do the t case.

 

[alrock]

ALL 2006 H3 Transfer cases require an additional 250 ml of fluid to be added via the speed sensor hole. And ANY 2007 H3 with a VIN of 56TDN13E778100102 or prior also requires the additional fluid to be added via the speed sensor hole.

You'll see that hole on the driver's side of the case, near the rear and near the top.