So my truck has been taking forever to warm up and I figured I would change the thermostat because my friend was having a similar problem and a new thermostat instantly solved his problem. I started out by draining the coolant from the side of the radiator. Then I tried to find the plugs in the side of block, which are nearly impossible to get at. So I left them alone. Got everything done, and now that I think about it again I think I might have an issue.

I was unable to find an open store at 8 pm on a sunday night that has antifreeze testers, but I think I may have diluted my antifreeze mixture too much when I put two loads of water through the radiator and then drained them after each. Im thinking that when I put the water in the system the water went all through the block passages and diluted the mixture. Would I be correct? I did put 50 50 (cant do slashes, computers being stupid) mixture back in at the end and made sure the reserve tank was filled the correct amount. Any suggestions?

 

The only way you will know for sure is to buy a tester and test it.

 

Yes you need a tester but I think you are way weak. I bet you have about 25 % antifreeze to 75% water.
Thats because engine was half full of mostly water and you added 50/50.

I went to dealer and got 100% antifreeze for $12 a gallon. That's cheaper than 2 gallon of 50/50 at $8 = $16.
Than I poured in the required amount of 100% antifreeze and added distilled water to fill. I use only distilled water for 56 cents a gallon.

 

i know people that run only water in their radiators. its pretty stupid but they havent had any problems and been doing it for years.

 

Drain it all out and use the premixed coolant. All brands can be bought like this now. Even if you dont get it all out it will be close to where you need it.........close enough not to woory bout it.

 

I tested it after it had been sitting all night and my mixture is fine. Then I ran it today around town. Came home and let it cool off again and tested it again, still good. So I guess the water didn't take up that much space. Plus, I'm not lookin at negative 50 degrees here in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Reasonably comfortable temps at all times.

 

The simpliest way to insure that your mix is correct is to drain and fill the radiator only. Do not run water through the system. My radiator holds exactly 2 gallons so I buy 2 gallons of premix 50/50 and dump it in. Takes no time at all and the coolant ratio is always correct.

 

You need a 50-50 mix to prevent corrosion, and it increases the boiling point of the water.

 

much cheaper to make your own mix. they sell 100% and 50/50 at same price if you get generic antifreeze. Please do yourself a favor and Do Not buy the "extended life" garbage. If you want longer lasting stuff get the gold premium motorcraft coolant that the dealers sell.

I hadnt ever checked for you 04+ guys, but i know my body style has a 3 gallon capacity, so put in a jug and a half if you want 50/50, then top off with water. When i flush soon enough, ill be using a 35/65 well basically one gallon premium coolant, two gallons of distilled water.
-Patrick

 

I could see this in South Carolina, but not up north. Water would freeze up and crack the block. Happened to my father in an old impala.

 

Water is what holds the heat, so southern trucks need more water then antifreeze in the mix. Up north its good to have a 60/40 water mix or stronger.

The antifreeze, helps to prevent corosion, and freezing. So you defenitly need to have a decent amount in your coolant mix. But running 100% water is better then running 100% antifreeze, or 0% coolant.
-Patrick

 

According to your owner's manual and every antifreeze manufacturer I've ever known, you are supposed to never exceed a 60% soulution of antifreeze. You are never supposed to go under a 50% solution.

50% protects to -30 degrees
60% protects to -60 degrees

If you increase concentration above 65-70% then the freezing point increases to a max of about -5 degrees for 100% antifreeze.

I hope I remember these figures correctly. Do some googling if you think I'm wrong.

 

... and your heat-removing qualities go into the toilet, too.

Agreed. Seem to remember seeing 60/40 mix is as high as you want to go. Anything more than that is couter-productive.

Andy