cooling system questions

[Jeremy_5]

I have a couple questions concering the cooling system. I just flushed my engine and radiator, but when I re-filled it up the manual said it should take 21 quarts so just a little over 5 gallons, but I only put about 3 and half gallons of the pre-mixed antifreeze and water. Did I have that much water left in the system from flushing it? Isn't that going to throw my coolant to water ratio way off?

Also to clean the recovery tank do I just take it off dump it out and then refill it with some coolant? The level never seems to rise or fall in the recovery tank is that normal. And last question where does the hose go that comes out of the recovery tank, it looks like it goes into the firewall, but why, shouldn't it go to the radiator so it can recover excess coolant when the radiator pressure drops?

[Bobalouie]

After you filled the radiator, did you run the engine hot enough to cycle the thermosat and fill the system all the way up?

[Jeremy_5]

ya I took it for a drive and let it get up to normal operating temp. and then checked it once it cooled down and the level in the radiator only dropped a inch or so.

[blazer1971]

Thermostat working?

[john]

over flow goes to rad neck. see pic. The coolant bottle level should go down as engine cools and up when it heats up. John

[Jeremy_5]

brand new thermostat.
john, thanks for the picture, I don't think mine is hooked up right.

[Jeremy_5]

here is mine, I think it should go on the bent pipe on the side... right???

[john]

Yep.

[neonlarry]

Are you sure that bottle is not for your windshield washer?
Also there probably was that much water left in system, I always use the recommended amount of pure coolant fist and then fill the rest of the way with 50/50 mix.

[Gordo]

Unless you remove the (2) drain plugs from the engine block, draining just the radiator will leave several qts of coolant in the block. That may explain the missing 2 gallons of coolant.

[Jeremy_5]

oh!!! thanks gordo. Does anyone know where the 2 drain plugs are located? I read something about that in the manual and couldn't find them.

I guess that bottle could be for windshield washer fluid, I just assumed it was a coolant overflow tank, becuase the water looked greenish. Did our trucks come stock with overflow tanks? Becuase that is the only in the engine that would even resemble a overflow tank.

[neonlarry]

No, I believe overflow were a dealer installed option.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by Gordo

Unless you remove the (2) drain plugs from the engine block, draining just the radiator will leave several qts of coolant in the block. That may explain the missing 2 gallons of coolant.

Gordo is on the right track.
Forget removing the drain plugs from the block. Flush the system until you have clean, clear water coming out where you are letting it flow out. Then figure out your capacity. You have that - 21 quarts. Put everything back together then pour half your total capacity of PURE anti-freeze in the system. Then all you have to do is top it off with plain water - perferrably distilled water. Then you have a perfect 50/50 mix.

Once again:
Flush until clean water flows out.
Fill 1/2 the total capacity with straight anti-freeze.
Fill to full with straight water.

For whatever reason this is the first thing my dad taught me about engines.

[Jeremy_5]

mrein3,
that makes alot of sense, thanks.

I am still trying to figure out what is up with the overflow tank, anyone???
Is this it?

[Davy]

That jug is in the stock location for the washer fluid.

Yours may have been converted somehow. Follow the tube coming out of it to see where it goes.

Davy

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by Jeremy_5

mrein3,
that makes alot of sense, thanks.

I am still trying to figure out what is up with the overflow tank, anyone???
Is this it?

Good question. That is your factory washer fluid bottle. The reason I say good question is that if you buy an aftermarket kit from one of the board suppliers, he uses that bottle in the kit so it looks like it is a factory piece. He uses that bottle, a cap from another vehicle, a bracket from another, etc. The whole setup looks pretty good.

There is still some debate as to whether or not an overflow bottle was available when the truck was new. Some say factory, some say dealer installed, some say not available.

Back in the day that pipe coming out from under your radiator cap had a 12-24 inch long piece of rubber tubing that drained to the ground.