Coolant Capacity?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Coolant Capacity?
I just installed a coolant filter and flushed my system. The video I watched beforehand states that after you flush it with water 2 or 3 times, you add 3 gallons of coolant, then top it off with water. When I did mine, after 3 gallons of coolant it would only hold like almost one gallon of water. Is this normal? I'm assuming there is still water in the engine? I've never filled coolant this way. I just want to make sure I've got the right ratio of water in there. Everything appears to be operating correctly.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 1
From: Frederick MD
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...nge-101-a.html
Is it sitting at the min line now? On the degas bottle
Is it sitting at the min line now? On the degas bottle
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
I just installed a coolant filter and flushed my system. The video I watched beforehand states that after you flush it with water 2 or 3 times, you add 3 gallons of coolant, then top it off with water. When I did mine, after 3 gallons of coolant it would only hold like almost one gallon of water. Is this normal? I'm assuming there is still water in the engine? I've never filled coolant this way. I just want to make sure I've got the right ratio of water in there. Everything appears to be operating correctly.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 13
From: Virginia Beach VA
So pulling the radiator plug and the block plug will remove all the coolant except whats in the heater? If that is the case, then the heater holds the other 3 gallons?
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
I did basically the same thing last week. Drained radiator and got about 4 gallons, pulled the drivers side block plug and got about another gallon (this may not be correct on the amount from the block), but it did give less than the radiator did. When it went back in I was only able to get about 4.5 gallons into the system. Coolant is at the new level on the degas bottle and after reading all the threads on this, I'm still wondering if I got it all or if I did the flush correctly.
So pulling the radiator plug and the block plug will remove all the coolant except whats in the heater? If that is the case, then the heater holds the other 3 gallons?
So pulling the radiator plug and the block plug will remove all the coolant except whats in the heater? If that is the case, then the heater holds the other 3 gallons?
FWIW: I did some course work on changing coolant types at job this week and my manufacturer recommends at LEAST three system flushes before changing coolant types, especially on incompatible coolants. I think you should be fine.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 13
From: Virginia Beach VA
and that brings us back to the OP's question and why I'm wondering if I messed up..
If you pull the drivers block plug and the radiator plug, is most of the coolant gone? The coolant on my rig was replaced by the previous owner (he claims) just before I bought the truck, with Ford gold. After reading all the good things about it, I replaced my thermostat (was 182-186 on average) and put in the red ELC last week. If I were to have put straight ELC, my 50/50 mix would have been about 75/25% and not 50/50 as everybody says it should be.
I poured in a gallon of red, gallon of distilled, gallon of red, gallon of distilled and it was to the mark on the degas. Started truck, ran around until warm, added another 1/2 gallon of 50/50 mix and done. Like the OP, only got about 1/2 of what should have been nearly 8 gallons.
I sat 4 gallons of red and 4 gallons of distilled on the bench, I have 1 gallon of red and 1.5 gallons of 50/50 mix left and scratching my head, same as Jeremiah77.
If you pull the drivers block plug and the radiator plug, is most of the coolant gone? The coolant on my rig was replaced by the previous owner (he claims) just before I bought the truck, with Ford gold. After reading all the good things about it, I replaced my thermostat (was 182-186 on average) and put in the red ELC last week. If I were to have put straight ELC, my 50/50 mix would have been about 75/25% and not 50/50 as everybody says it should be.
I poured in a gallon of red, gallon of distilled, gallon of red, gallon of distilled and it was to the mark on the degas. Started truck, ran around until warm, added another 1/2 gallon of 50/50 mix and done. Like the OP, only got about 1/2 of what should have been nearly 8 gallons.
I sat 4 gallons of red and 4 gallons of distilled on the bench, I have 1 gallon of red and 1.5 gallons of 50/50 mix left and scratching my head, same as Jeremiah77.
Trending Topics
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,900
Likes: 3,617
Drained radiator (degas bottle was at the minimum mark - got out 14.75 quarts (3.7 gallons)
Drained passenger side block - got 3.25 more quarts
Drained drivers side block - got 2.5 more quarts.
Total drained fluid - 20.5 quarts or 5 1/8 gallons (apprx). The total system holds 27.5-28 quarts. So 7-7.5 quarts were left in the system.
Note - I did not remove the lower hose.
Drained passenger side block - got 3.25 more quarts
Drained drivers side block - got 2.5 more quarts.
Total drained fluid - 20.5 quarts or 5 1/8 gallons (apprx). The total system holds 27.5-28 quarts. So 7-7.5 quarts were left in the system.
Note - I did not remove the lower hose.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 13
From: Virginia Beach VA
Drained radiator (degas bottle was at the minimum mark - got out 14.75 quarts (3.7 gallons)
Drained passenger side block - got 3.25 more quarts
Drained drivers side block - got 2.5 more quarts.
Total drained fluid - 20.5 quarts or 5 1/8 gallons (apprx). The total system holds 27.5-28 quarts. So 7-7.5 quarts were left in the system.
Note - I did not remove the lower hose.
Drained passenger side block - got 3.25 more quarts
Drained drivers side block - got 2.5 more quarts.
Total drained fluid - 20.5 quarts or 5 1/8 gallons (apprx). The total system holds 27.5-28 quarts. So 7-7.5 quarts were left in the system.
Note - I did not remove the lower hose.
Agree. Whats left is the heater core and hose.
So switching fluid type from Gold to red ELC.... does it hurt anything to mix them? Using your numbers, I got 13.75 from the radiator (about 4 gallons) 3.25 from the drivers side (about a gallon), that's close to 5 gallons and when refilling I put back exactly 4.5 gallons at 50/50 strength red ELC and I'm at the degas min mark.
Do I need to go back and do this again several times to remove the 7-7.75 quarts from the heater and the 2.5 quarts from the pass side, which contained Ford gold? I've ran the truck for about 50 miles this way if that matters?
The OP added 3 gallons (12 quarts) and less than a gallon of water, that put him at about 80/20 mix, not even close to the recommended 50/50.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,900
Likes: 3,617
The OP flushed his radiator until all that remained in the engine was water (essentially). If you add 3 gallons of concentrate and top off with more water, then you only get "3 divided by 7" or 42.86%
also 13.75 and 3.25 quarts is ONLY 4.25 gallons (15% or so LESS than 5 gallons).
I would not want to mix Gold and ELC coolants. IMO you need at least a water flush.
also 13.75 and 3.25 quarts is ONLY 4.25 gallons (15% or so LESS than 5 gallons).
I would not want to mix Gold and ELC coolants. IMO you need at least a water flush.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 6,545
Likes: 13
From: Virginia Beach VA
Knowing that, the OP should be close to the 50/50 mix.
I see that I need a water flush. I finished just before I left to go this business trip, sitting in Japan as I type and won't be back to the truck until 15 JAN. Will it hurt to let it sit as the truck is parked until I get home?
I see that I need a water flush. I finished just before I left to go this business trip, sitting in Japan as I type and won't be back to the truck until 15 JAN. Will it hurt to let it sit as the truck is parked until I get home?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,900
Likes: 3,617
Personally I do not think it would hurt anything in that short of a time period.
Two reasons not to mix (and it would seem that you are leaving about a gallon of Gold in the system) would be that:
1. People believe that Gold mixing with other coolant types increases the chance of solids or gelling.
2. The corrosion and cavitation protection is MUCH less effective if two different chemistry coolants are mixed.
Two reasons not to mix (and it would seem that you are leaving about a gallon of Gold in the system) would be that:
1. People believe that Gold mixing with other coolant types increases the chance of solids or gelling.
2. The corrosion and cavitation protection is MUCH less effective if two different chemistry coolants are mixed.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the replies! Just to add to the discussion...I went with the Motorcraft Gold coolant. The previous owner had replaced the radiator and had the system filled with the cheap green stuff. I left the t-stat in, flushed with hose water twice, then flushed with distilled, then added coolant and topped off with more distilled.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
Jeremiah. I would recommend you drive a while and do a few more distilled water rinses, then drain without thermostat, drain block plugs and replace with fresh gold. With that few rinses, you are leaving a few percentage points of the old green coolant in the there and that is not good for your oil or EGR cooler. I would also test with a hydrometer to make sure you are truly at 50/50 antifreeze and water. You need maximum boil over protection and freeze protection. It sounds like you may be about half a gallon short of Ford Gold coolant, meaning you are just over 40% coolant! which is not ideal. Just my opinion from reading this post, but I think better on the safe side......