ANTIFREEZE QUESTION 101 (Page 1/1)
Karrnutt OCT 11, 06:09 PM
OK, I know this might be a stupid question but...I don't need to flush my system. But I do need to "boost it". Right now my car is good for 20 below, but in Wisconsin we can go to 30 below. Can I just drain out the overflow tank and add the same amount with concentrated (full strength) antifreeze, run it, and be good. Or is there more to it then that? Thanks
Blacktree OCT 11, 09:39 PM
It'll take a few heating / cooling cycles to get it mixed in. But if you're not in a hurry, that will work.
theogre OCT 11, 11:00 PM
Unless has been flush this year... WTF make you think can skip the flush?
Proper flushing "back flows" heater core etc to hopefully remove loose crap blocking core tubes and so on. Ever if core and rad are new... Engine often sheds "rust" into them after work is done.
You can't see most things a flush removes unless you have make a trap "pond" to examine what came out. Sometime very little even then, other times big obvious crap.

when did anyone refill the coolant system?
If more then 2 + years or unknown is little point to "save" coolant in it. More so running weak coolant for ~ 1 year or more. And you have weak coolant.

Ethylene glycol doesn't "wear out" but anti-rust and other additive will. Old coolant mix w/ a few quarts of new may solve freeze issue but does very little or nothing for weak additives.

I would flush any old coolant because often no clue what brand/type of coolant and new additive don't play best w/ unknown even if both are green coolant. Old coolant was 3 years product? 5 years? What Brand? Now your adding exact same?
Is also a big reason why all coolant brands really push flushing and void any warrant to protect X years or Y miles.

If you still want to skip flushing...
Drain pipes drains most everything.
Could drain rad to get a little more.
Even if you ignore flushing what's left hopefully won't matter...

Fiero needs almost 2 gallons of pure coolant just to get 50% mix, directions in cave, Coolant Fill, put mix a little "stronger" then 50% using all 2 gallons. If R and T openings won't take all of 2 gal, put leftover in O-tank/bottle. W/o flushing should be close to 60%.
Most coolant products allow 70% max coolant for colder areas.
Mix vs. boil/freeze charts are on prestone google etc so not posting here.

Before anyone asks, If I had to "Top Off" a system often or needs more then 1 quart in a year... I'm looking for leaks and flushing after fix them.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

Karrnutt OCT 14, 12:24 PM
Ok, I get it. Or as the saying goes: "It takes less time to do it right, then to do it over." Flush it is. Thanks.