Proper Procedure after coolant drained from block
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Vancouver USA
Proper Procedure after coolant drained from block
Hey Guys I need your help. I just replaced a bad freeze plug on my block just above the starter on my 93 Bronco 5.8L . I drained the coolant from that side of the block before I started the work. Do I just fill the radiator with coolant while it is running and let the coolant work its way back into the block? I have changed coolant in radiators before just never drained the block and don't want to cause any damage.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
Proper Procedure after coolant drained from block
your going to need a lot of antifreeze on hand. also if the engine does start getting to hot shut it down for a bit and come back a little later to finish it up. I believe the system holds about 3 gallons , but not sure.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
Proper Procedure after coolant drained from block
The easiest way is to just fill it up cold, it will take enough coolant to come close to filling it, drive it, and then check it cold the next morning and top it off if necessary.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2000
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Proper Procedure after coolant drained from block
yo,
from my 96 Bronco's Owner's Guide;
"Engine coolant refill procedure
After you have drained the engine cooling
system:
1. Fill the radiator with a 50/50 mixture of the specified engine coolant concentrate and water. Allow several minutes for trapped air to escape (bubble out) and for engine coolant to flow through the radiator.
2. Replace the radiator cap to its fully installed position, then back off to the first stop. This will prevent high pressure from building up in the cooling system during this part of the
fill procedure.
3. Start and idle the engine until the thermostat opens and the radiator upper hose becomes warm.
4. Shut off the engine and allow the engine to cool. Cover the radiator cap with a thick cloth and cautiously remove it. Step back
while the pressure releases.
5. Finally, check the radiator and add more engine coolant if needed, following the procedures noted above. Reinstall the
radiator cap securely, when finished.
6. If more engine coolant is necessary, fill the overflow reservoir to the appropriate level marked on the bottle."
end
from my 96 Bronco's Owner's Guide;
"Engine coolant refill procedure
After you have drained the engine cooling
system:
1. Fill the radiator with a 50/50 mixture of the specified engine coolant concentrate and water. Allow several minutes for trapped air to escape (bubble out) and for engine coolant to flow through the radiator.
2. Replace the radiator cap to its fully installed position, then back off to the first stop. This will prevent high pressure from building up in the cooling system during this part of the
fill procedure.
3. Start and idle the engine until the thermostat opens and the radiator upper hose becomes warm.
4. Shut off the engine and allow the engine to cool. Cover the radiator cap with a thick cloth and cautiously remove it. Step back
while the pressure releases.
5. Finally, check the radiator and add more engine coolant if needed, following the procedures noted above. Reinstall the
radiator cap securely, when finished.
6. If more engine coolant is necessary, fill the overflow reservoir to the appropriate level marked on the bottle."
end
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
Proper Procedure after coolant drained from block
Hint - run the heater after the t-stat opens, before checking the coolant. If you don't, the coolant level may drop a little the first time you run the heater and it fills with coolant.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,568
Likes: 33
From: Swansea SC
Proper Procedure after coolant drained from block
what kind of freeze plug did u use and where u buy it at( was it leaking ) i might have the same problem -reply appreciated
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 79
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From: Vancouver USA
Proper Procedure after coolant drained from block
BLACK FORD XLT -- Yes the freeze plug was leaking. I actually had a engine block heater in the freeze plug hole and found that the butterfly nut on the inside had broken and was causing it to loosen and leak. It only seemed to leak after I shut the engine off. Prior to that I noticed that my coolant level in the bottle was losing about an ounce a month which is not much but non the less was still going somewhere. Then I found out it was dripping on the exhaust and evaporating and thats why I couldn't find it before.
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