coolant flush and fill needs tweaking advice
coolant flush and fill needs tweaking advice
so a week ago I did a flush and fill following the accepted procedure here on the forum using the mb approved zerex coolant , I added two gallons of 50/50 mix , brought the engine temperature up to normal and then topped the coolant bottle off with half a gallon of distilled water, everything checked out fine , coolant was at -34 degrees Fahrenheit , I checked it again yesterday and now it is only at -7 degrees Fahrenheit. with all of that my question is if I drain the coolant tank and refill with straight antifreeze should that be enough to bring it back to -34 and should I add a cooling system conditioner ? thanks in advance .
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
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Re: coolant flush and fill needs tweaking advice
I would not add a damn thing, myself. Instead, I change the coolant every 3 years or so, no attention given to miles.
I can't do the math for how much it would take to lower the coolant to -34 and thinking about it, I do NOT think the relationship is all that linear anyway.
I'd let the car sit and get cold, suck out maybe 1-2 quarts and add 100% antifreeze, run the car and then test it again.
I can't do the math for how much it would take to lower the coolant to -34 and thinking about it, I do NOT think the relationship is all that linear anyway.
I'd let the car sit and get cold, suck out maybe 1-2 quarts and add 100% antifreeze, run the car and then test it again.
Re: coolant flush and fill needs tweaking advice
I think you had two things working against you. First I would say that you did not get all the water out of the block, even if you pull the plug. Then you added more straight water to the coolant reservoir. Once everything was well mixed you had less than 50/50. My suggestion is always that you only use 50/50 for topping off the system.
Always find out the capacity of a cooling system before starting. Then when refilling, fill half the amount with 100% antifreeze, then top off with water. Then I use a 50/50 mix for the reservoir.
James
Always find out the capacity of a cooling system before starting. Then when refilling, fill half the amount with 100% antifreeze, then top off with water. Then I use a 50/50 mix for the reservoir.
James
Re: coolant flush and fill needs tweaking advice
I think you had two things working against you. First I would say that you did not get all the water out of the block, even if you pull the plug. Then you added more straight water to the coolant reservoir. Once everything was well mixed you had less than 50/50. My suggestion is always that you only use 50/50 for topping off the system.
Always find out the capacity of a cooling system before starting. Then when refilling, fill half the amount with 100% antifreeze, then top off with water. Then I use a 50/50 mix for the reservoir.
James
Always find out the capacity of a cooling system before starting. Then when refilling, fill half the amount with 100% antifreeze, then top off with water. Then I use a 50/50 mix for the reservoir.
James
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Age: 64
Posts: 13,469
Received 888 Likes
on
692 Posts
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Age: 64
Posts: 13,469
Received 888 Likes
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692 Posts
Re: coolant flush and fill needs tweaking advice
Yep, driver's side.
Re: coolant flush and fill needs tweaking advice
Save it and feed it to your cats. ( I'm a dog person )
Seriously, use this and enter your zip :
How to Recycle Automotive Fluids - Earth911.com
Seriously, use this and enter your zip :
How to Recycle Automotive Fluids - Earth911.com
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Re: coolant flush and fill needs tweaking advice
Re: coolant flush and fill needs tweaking advice
tutorial was great. At first I thought I had done something wrong, as the color of this Zerex G-05
is almost clear.
Billto
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Re: coolant flush and fill needs tweaking advice
Remember 50/50 is a recommendation. If you are never going to see below 0 temps, don't worry about it. If you live in northern Canada/Alaska, and will see extreme temps, you need to go to 60/40 or even 80/20 to get protection for -60 or so. I live in Pittsburgh, and below zero is rare, but we have hit about -22F that I know of. If you live in Las Vegas, and never freezes, you still want at least 30% for corrosion and lubrication properties, and maybe some "water wetter" for cooling.
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