Drained Radiator Coolant, Filled Reservoir But I Know More Needs to Go In

Edit: Lots of detail in several other threads helped me determine what I did after messing up the first time..

After research I drained radiator, and block via drain valves (1 on each side of block) and then refilled through radiator cap (2.5-3 gallons).

Cheers

 

Fill the rad through the rad cap. Stop driving the truck.

 

Did you fill the radiator or the overflow tank?

 

That’s the one with the warning on the top? Do I need to siphon a bit out of the visible reservoir so I don’t overfill it?

 

Yes remove that and funnel in coolant, you likely caused an air lock, so it needs to idle with the cap off and fluid full.

Leave the reservoir alone until the system is properly filled.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THcMQbOSuZo

 

The reservoir is only there to allow for coolant expansion during normal engine operation, the system must be filled through the radiator cap.

The reservoir should be kept between the min and max marks after the system is filled and the engine is cold.
Total fill is around 2 gallons, if you just drained the radiator and the reservoir and not the block it will probably only take about a gallon.

 

OMG.

 

That's how you do it on vehicles where the radiators aren't the highest point in the system.

 

Got in about 1/2 gallon. Assuming I have air in it can I drive it or should I idle for a bit?

Also, driving it for the little that I did wouldn’t hurt anything assuming the gauge didn’t go past where it normally does, correct?

 

If it didn't overheat you should be OK.

 

If there's no coolant to tell the gauge what temperature the engine is, who knows.

You should burp it just like the video.

 

Well the needle moved from when I started to when I killed it, so hopefully there was enough to regulate it. Otherwise I’m not sure how it would’ve stopped where it did, just looking for clarification.

 

You should really do some research before working on your vehicle again.

 

Thanks mom

 

I mean in all fairness, it is the volumetric equivalent of having 9 "extra" bolts when you removed 10 while working on your vehicle and going for a drive.

 

Unless you haave a vacuum filler, if not do this.
Take the cap off when its cold. Fill the radiator till its full. Completely full.
Put a piece of cardboard in front of the radiator to speed the heating process.
Youll have to wait let get to operating temp where the needle is in the middle. Make sure it doesnt rise. If does turn it off. Let it run at operating temp for about 20 minutes. This will help any air bubbles be released.Shut it off and let it sit. Let it sit overnight. Then check the coolant in the radiator. Fill it till its full. I believe the capacity is 9.2 quarts, but unless you drained the block as well you probably wont need this much.

 

You got to be kidding. You couldn't wait until tomorrow to post this?

 

Truth.


If everybody used the search function first this would be a boring forum.

 

I may have overlooked it.

Turn the heater on high and let the coolant circulate through the heater lines and core as well. That will push the air out of those areas as well.