Coolant refill

Hello all, I am currently working on a cooling system update. It will be done tomorrow. I am changing the water pump, fan clutch, thermostat, fan, radiator, idler pulleys and radiator hoses. I have drained the whole block so there is no coolant in the truck. How should I go about refilling it? I have the coolant funnels that act as a cap and let you overfill the radiator. I have 12 quarts of Toyota super long life pink coolant, that’s what I’ll be using.

 

Can I pour it down one of the hoses and let the block refill before I attach the hose to the radiator? Or something to that effect?

 

Pickup a coolant funnel kit from harbor freight or wherever. Slowly pour it into the radiator. You can squeeze the upper radiator hose a few times.

Start the truck with the in cab heater on full blast and let it run until it warms up. When it does the thermostat will open and the radiator will suck down more coolant.

Add more as necessary.

The funnel will hold extra coolant while bleeding the system and allow the radiator to burp without making too much of a mess.

 

Note just to clear up a misconception:

It isn't like the OLD Systems where there was a heater valve.
There is no valve and you don't need to turn on the heat when doing this.
The heater core always has full flow through it. Even when the heat is off.

 

Does this explain why the "fresh air" (no HVAC) airflow is always so much warmer than ambient exterior air? I hate that this truck blows hot air on me in the summer when I want fresh air only.

 

Yes. The heating and cooling is controlled by a blend door that is controlled by a servo system. It mixes the AC ( or ambient ) Air with the Heated Air to achieve the temp you select.