antifreeze in F150

[Tom7227]

I managed to let the level of protection fall too far in my F150 with a 5.4. I need to put in at least a gallon. I wonder do I have to drain some out of the bottom of the radiator or can I just keep adding to the surge tank? I filled the tank but I don't know if/how that circulates in a full system.

Thanks for you time.

Tom

[theoilman]

You didn't say what year and options, so this may not be exact. I looked up a 2004 F150 w/ 5.4, the cooling system total fill is 24 qts (or 6 gallons). So to have the preferred 50% antifreeze you need a total of 3 gallons of antifreeze. Depending on protection level you may need a second gallon of full strength antifreeze.

Unless your coolant level was really low, yes, you are going to need to drain some to have enough room to add what you need.

Another problem to consider. Many Ford trucks are having heater core failures - that is being caused by electrolysis. Check with a voltmeter positive probe in the radiator, negative on battery negative. You should have less than .4 or .5 volts - many are running 4+ volts which is destroying the heater cores. This is a massive job to repair requiring complete removal of the dash - a very expensive labor job. Easy, simple, inexpensive preventative: add a bottle of AMSOIL Dominator Coolant Boost to your radiator. It solves the electrolysis and will help make the engine warm up faster too.

[Tom7227]

So how does it move from the surge tank into the system? I know it will suck some after I drain a bit out of the radiator but does the surge tank circulate or just sit around waiting for the fluid to get low in the engine?

[theoilman]

In some vehicles the tank is in the regular system circulation - most of these the tank is pressurized and many times the radiator cap is on the tank rather than the radiator. This is becoming more common in newer vehicles. I believe this type system came about from a NASCAR racing development several years ago.

In many vehicles the tank gets circulation by what expands and contracts as the engine is warmed up and then cooled down, so only a portion gets exchanged once each cycle. In these (which I believe is still most vehicles) the tank keeps the cooling system so it doesn't have an air pocket in it, but the pressurized cooling system is completely filled with the coolant solution.

[Tom7227]

Mr. Dawson, I just sent you a message. Tom

[theoilman]

Tom, your message didn't come through. Please try again: [email protected]

[Tom7227]

It was a Private Message on FM. I just sent you one via regular email. Thanks