06 Denali cooling system maintanance

[abishoff]

Well my Denali is leaking a substantial amount of coolant. I believe its the seal around the water pump. So I'm compiling a list of things to replace while I'm in there. If anyone can think of anything else, please let me know.
1. Water pump(incl gaskets/seals)
2. T-stat(going to put in a 160)
3. Serpentine Belt and AC belt
4. Going to replace the radiator to an All Aluminum from eBay possibly a 2 row setup
5. Coolant res tank (mine is looking pretty nasty inside
6. all the hoses
7.?

 

[clandr1]

Don't put in a 160 thermostat. Put in a 187 which is the OE recommended temp.
I don't see the sense in replacing a radiator if it doesn't have any problems.
Remove the coolant reservoir and clean it out with a hose and some dishwasher detergent. Then rinse it thoroughly and reinstall. No need in throwing money at something that isn't a problem.

If I were you, I'd inspect everything before replacing it. If everything is factory original, replacing the belts and hoses makes sense, but other than a new water pump I wouldn't replace anything else.

 

[abishoff]

Don't put in a 160 thermostat. Put in a 187 which is the OE recommended temp.
I don't see the sense in replacing a radiator if it doesn't have any problems.
Remove the coolant reservoir and clean it out with a hose and some dishwasher detergent. Then rinse it thoroughly and reinstall. No need in throwing money at something that isn't a problem.

If I were you, I'd inspect everything before replacing it. If everything is factory original, replacing the belts and hoses makes sense, but other than a new water pump I wouldn't replace anything else.

I guess cleaning out the tank makes sense. I was just going for the radiator as well since its a plastic ended radiator and i figured i'd upgrade now, rather than having to take things a part again down the road once i have a better water pump since i was looking to get one with the metal fins.

 

[clandr1]

I guess cleaning out the tank makes sense. I was just going for the radiator as well since its a plastic ended radiator and i figured i'd upgrade now, rather than having to take things a part again down the road once i have a better water pump since i was looking to get one with the metal fins.

I'm a big believer in preventative maintenance, so I get your train of thought, but a radiator isn't a cheap (or easy) part to replace. Most people need new radiators because they don't change the coolant out often enough, and they get rotten coolant that corrodes their radiator to the point of failure. If you've been good about changing the coolant on a regular basis (every 50k), just let the radiator ride - it may never give you a problem if you're up on your PM.

 

[David Paul]

I'd replace the belt tensioners also. I'm at 157,000 miles. Pump was already replaced but belts and hoses are original. So I'm replacing those along with the tensioners. Better to do it at your connivence then along the side of the road.....

 

[abishoff]

I'm a big believer in preventative maintenance, so I get your train of thought, but a radiator isn't a cheap (or easy) part to replace. Most people need new radiators because they don't change the coolant out often enough, and they get rotten coolant that corrodes their radiator to the point of failure. If you've been good about changing the coolant on a regular basis (every 50k), just let the radiator ride - it may never give you a problem if you're up on your PM.

Im usually good about PM, but havent done anything with coolant so I'll go ahead with a Radiator. I was think at least an all aluminum and possibly a 2 pass/core. What do you think about those?

 

[clandr1]

Im usually good about PM, but havent done anything with coolant so I'll go ahead with a Radiator. I was think at least an all aluminum and possibly a 2 pass/core. What do you think about those?

I don't have any input, really. The extent of my radiator experience is selecting the OE suggested replacement on o'reilly auto's website for my old '89 GMC Jimmy (replaced June 2010) and my wife's '04 jeep grand cherokee (replaced December 2013). I wouldn't know any more than to direct you to your local auto parts retailer.