OK , yestedrday I had drained and filled it ( it only took 1.5 gallons) of 50\50 prestone extended life) replaced hoses and thermostat. Here's the steps I used, did I do anything wrong.
Opened pet**** and drained
removed and replaced upper\lower hoses and t-stat
filled with water ,added prestone flush and ran for 10 mins
drained flush additive and re-filled with water and ran for another 10mins
drained again and added it only accepted 1.5 gallons of the 50\50 premix

 

You are grossly underprotected. You should only use 50/50 when topping it off or filling a dry system. You have to drain the block too in order to have a "dry" system.

Drain the radiator again and fill it back up with 100% coolant.

 

How is that possible to be under protected ? If we are suppose to have a mixing ratio of 50/50 ( antifreeze to water ) and I used the 50/50 mix? It's the same thing , right ?

 

You mixed the 50/50 mix into 100% water that was still in the block...

The entire system takes about 4-6 gallons depending on capacity... When I drain just the rad on my truck, I can put at least 2 gallons in.. Maybe a bit more, if I recall?

When you do a complete flush and fill, you can either pour in 100% AF into the rad and when it mixes with the 100% water in the block, you'll come up with your 50/50 mix.

If you are like me and don't want 'hard' water in the system, then you will want to get that water out of the block. There are block drains on each side of the engine, but only the drivers side is really accessible.. The pass side is covered up pretty good..

What I do is after I'm done flushing the system, remove the "T" I have for my Autometer temp gauge on the heater hose and direct it over the side of the engine. You could also disconnect the upper rad hose I suppose..

Then, I get my 50/50 mix (I make my own.. Buy 3 gallons of AF and 3 gallons of distilled water. Mix a gallon of each in a clean 5 gallon bucket and begin pouring it in.

What happens, as you pour in the 50/50 mix, it pushes the 100% water out the open hose. I think I've poured the entire first 2 gallons of mix and then a portion of the next 2 gallon mix before I see 'green' in the liquid coming out of the hose.

Reconnect the hose and top off. Mix up my last 2 gallon batch, start the engine and let it idle. I also leave the rad cap OFF. This helps let the system 'burp' itself. I keep topping off as needed during this time.


When it's run a few minutes, I'll take along a gallon of my mix and take the truck out for a spin around the block.. Just gets it up to full temp faster.. I still leave the rad cap off during this drive.. I just drive normally around a 3 mile loop in my neighborhood and come back home and see how things are going...

I usually only need to add a little bit at this point. If the T stat is open, I'll rev the engine a bit just to make sure it's all flowing well then put the cap on and take it for another run.. This time running a little harder when I can..

Come home again, and let it cool down. During the cool down with pressure in the system, it should draw back in whatever it needs in the block to fill any air that might still be around... I find I need to add a bit more after it's cooled down.

At this point, you should be fine. I make a point to check the level again a couple of times, just to make sure nothing weird occurs...

Mitch

 

the radiator hose is what i use to drain it i just put a big plastic tub under the front driver side and catch it all

 

Thanks for the help guys, I see what you were taling about after I thought about it.
I drained the resevior and added straight AF this morning drove it til the tstat was open and checked it with a hydrometer. I am 1/2 way there, to being within spec. Figure, I'll drive it around for a little and do it 1 more time and should be right there.
Thanks again for the help

 

also never by the 50/50 its the same price as stright AF but your paying for 50% water!!!

i buy just stright AF and when the AF is gone i fill up the bottle with water and bam its 50/50