How much coolant should be expected to be replaced when replacing the t stat?

I just did a flush this past spring. A small leak at the housing presented itself even with RTV. I bought RRs billet housing. Turns out the t stat o-ring was crimped. During removal, I lost all fluid in the degas tank. How much fluid should I buy to top off?

 

They sell hose pinch off pliers, get two to clamp down on the rad hoses, it'll minimize the flow out of the radiator. I have the ones from HarborFreight, they work well.

 

I'm confused. How did you lose all the fluid in the coolant bottle? Didn't you use the drain on the radiator to catch and reuse the coolant?

 

This is what I do. Years ago I bought a light gray colored plastic oil pan with a pour spout on it. I use this pan for coolant work only.

When I go to use it, I rinse it with water and dry it off. This ensures the coolant drained into it stays free from contamination.

If you want to go the extra mile, you can strain the coolant through a cloth before putting it back in the degas bottle.

 

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll remember this next go round.

 

I should have done this. I didnt have a clean catch container and thought I could be quick enough pulling the upper rad hose off and routing it in such a manner as to not lose much coolant. Of course, nothing goes as smooth as I envision in my mind.

 

Since you will probably have to buy a gallon anyway (unless you think you lost more than two gallons of coolant), and also a gallon of distilled water. Mix up a quart or two of 50% each at a time in a pitcher and keep adding until topped off.

 

Agreed. 2 gallons should be plenty.

 

This is my plan of attack. Thanks!

I just didn't know if 1 gal each or 2 would be needed if someone had a better idea of what I lost in the tank and upper hose. I bought 2 of each to play it safe. At least, I think that should be safe.

I'm not sure if it is fitting or ironic that I'm back working on the cooling system on the hottest day of the year. 112 degrees right now in N TX.

 

1.5 gallons of 50/50 mix got me full. Thanks everyone!

 

Wow Sous that is exactly what I do, the gray one from Autozone I believe it was, kept clean and reserved for coolant. I also drain it down and wait a good while before removing the T-Stat housing, this way everything is below the T-stat and I only lose a few drops. It does take a while for that top hose to drain out thru the closed T-Stat. I tried the hose pinchers at first but I didn't like pinching my hoses like that.

 

Just a dumb question, why worry about using the 50/50 mix if the system is already almost full? 50% is 50%

 

Distilled water is less than a buck a gallon. So it's worth diluting the coolant.

 

Those of us up north have to be **** about the ratio to prevent frozen/cracked blocks.

 

I am not as far up North as you are but it still gets darned cold here as well. A few years before I moved up here the lake froze over enough for the (dumb) kinds to drive across it.