How much antifreeze?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 83
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From: Hanover, MD
How much antifreeze?
'99 F150 4.6L. Had some leaking issues that I've been fighting and just got things buttoned up last night with no apparent leaks finally. Truck is surely mostly water for coolant at this point - but since it looks like I got the leaks taken care of I want to get it back to a reasonable coolant mix. I figure I'll drain the radiator, but how much water would be left elsewhere that I need to account for? Would a simple 50/50 mix refill be close enough?
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
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The system holds about 4 gallons and you will drain out about 2 gallons... After a good flush and drain, I normally add 2 gallons of 100% and then warm up / circulate and see what the mixture measures.... If you get -30 degrees or so, that's fine... If it measures 0 or 5 degrees, drain out a gallon and then add another gallon of 100%. .............. 50-50 will not get you there.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
I don't know what you used to flush, but if its "city water" it might be OK... If you used "well water", then you might want to buy 5-6 gallons of Demineralized water and do a couple flushes before adding the antifreeze... You would like the water that is LEFT IN THE MOTOR after the flush to be a DM type water without calcium / iron / etc. deposits.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,907
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Best way to really know is use a Hydrometer for freeze point determination.
Drain system, add coolant mix or straight antifreeze while the engine is running so it mixes with what water is left.
Keep adding and checking at the fill reservoir until your satisfied with protection level then complete to fill line.
This fill procedure helps insure the air purges out of the system.
After the engine "cools completely", slowly turn reservoir cap and note if you hear a noise indication a vacuum is being passed.
If yes, the system is sealing, if no you still have a leak at some location or may even be the Cap..
An air leak does not allow full pressure to develop in the system and lowers the max operating temperature.
Be awhere there often can be a cold leak that seals when the engine comes up to temperature.
This shows as having to add coolant with no obvious leak when it's a cold leak above the coolant level.
Good luck.
Drain system, add coolant mix or straight antifreeze while the engine is running so it mixes with what water is left.
Keep adding and checking at the fill reservoir until your satisfied with protection level then complete to fill line.
This fill procedure helps insure the air purges out of the system.
After the engine "cools completely", slowly turn reservoir cap and note if you hear a noise indication a vacuum is being passed.
If yes, the system is sealing, if no you still have a leak at some location or may even be the Cap..
An air leak does not allow full pressure to develop in the system and lowers the max operating temperature.
Be awhere there often can be a cold leak that seals when the engine comes up to temperature.
This shows as having to add coolant with no obvious leak when it's a cold leak above the coolant level.
Good luck.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,740
Likes: 37
From: Central NYS
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Brownbear13
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