Did i change coolant correctly?

[TMorris]

I just got done changing my coolant and i wanted to make sure i did it correctly. I searched the archives and found some good info on how to drain the coolant, and what brands are good, but i didnt find anything specifically saying how to refill it correctly. This is the first time i've changed the coolant in my truck and i just wanted to make sure i did it correctly.



I drained the coolant, and got out approximately 4 gallons. I then refilled the radiator with 3. 5 to 3. 75 gallons to top it off, then i filled up the overflow bottle to the full mark (approx . 25 to . 5 gallons).



Did i do it correctly, or fill it up too much?



Thanks,

Tim

 

[chuck3]

What year is your truck, what does the owners manual say the capacity is? Otherwise sounds good to me, I just did the same on my car yesterday, ran it got up to temp. and checked it this morning and the overflow bottle was empty, had to top it off with another quart. I would run it and let it cool and ck.

 

[Dennis Garrett]

Make sure you flush the heater core out with a hose, to get all the antifreeze out of it too.

 

[Loren]

Tim,



Nominal coolant capacity is six gallons. The times I have serviced mine, I am usually able to get about five gallons out. This includes the overflow bottle, but does not count anything that flushes out of the heater. It sounds like you might have missed as much as a gallon of coolant, but I doubt that it will matter much.



You did fill it correctly, but the truck will continue to take additional coolant for a few heating/cooling cycles. This is because there is air in the system, as well as dissolved air in the coolant that you added. When the system heats up this air will be forced into the overflow bottle, but coolant will be drawn back into the radiator as the system cools down.



This will cause your overflow bottle level to drop. Add coolant to keep the level full as needed. After a while it will stop dropping when the truck cools down. Then you will know that everything is completely full. It takes a lot to heat up a Cummins, so regular driving (no towing or heavy hauling) may mean a lot of cycles before the system is full. If you load your engine up with towing, you probably won't have to wait so long before it's full.



Don't remove the radiator cap to add coolant. Add to the overflow bottle only. If you remove the radiator cap, you will probably spill some coolant, and you will certainly allow some fresh air into the system. That air provides oxygen, which promotes corrosion.



It sounds like you did a good job. Just remember to keep checking your coolant level for a while.



Loren

 

[TMorris]

Ok, thanks for the help guys. All i did was jack up the rear end and pull the drain plug and i got about 4 gallons out. I'll keep an eye on the overflow bottle for the next few days, and add coolant as necessary.



Thanks,

Tim