So I have a 2016 F150. My upper radiator hose busted 6 days ago. I replaced it same day. I was on the side of the road so I filled it with one gallon of 50/50 and another gallon of pure water. So I’m at 25% antifreeze. It’s 102 everyday here in Texas. Do I need to drain some and add more antifreeze or will I b ok as is ??
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How much antifreeze is needed ??
- Thread starter magicrat
- Start date
Do you normally run it at 50/50? You’d need to know the entire coolant capacity and calculate where you are now after adding 2 gallons of coolant mixed at 3:1 water:antifreeze. If you’re close to a coolant change or still running original coolant it may be a good time to dump it all and refill with fresh.
I change my coolant every 60k. Was probably 40k old. I’m not real sure how much it takes all together. I thought it was bone dry but maybe not.Do you normally run it at 50/50? You’d need to know the entire coolant capacity and calculate where you are now after adding 2 gallons of coolant mixed at 3:1 water:antifreeze. If you’re close to a coolant change or still running original coolant it may be a good time to dump it all and refill with fresh.
Please don’t laugh at me but does the anti-freeze prevent evaporation of water ? I don’t know if that’s a dumb question.Water cools better than antifreeze, but AF has anti-rusting agents in it. You'll be fine til the weather starts to cool.
RPH
Well-known member
Absolutely not, water will still evaporate from it. Given enough time.Please don’t laugh at me but does the anti-freeze prevent evaporation of water ? I don’t know if that’s a dumb question.
The antifreeze lowers the freezing point and raises the boiling point of water as well as provides corrosion protection. The radiator cap pressurizes the cooling system which also changes the boing point.
I’d think a full-size truck would hold more than two gallons of coolant.
I’d think a full-size truck would hold more than two gallons of coolant.
According to the Google box your truck should hold around 5.4 gallons of coolant. If you're worried, drain it all, and put 2 gal of antifreeze and top it off with water. I, myself, wouldn't worry about it until November, but I don't know what part of Tx you're in.I change my coolant every 60k. Was probably 40k old. I’m not real sure how much it takes all together. I thought it was bone dry but maybe not.
nadogail
Well-known member
The liquid in your radiator is the transfer medium, it is warmed by the engine and cooled, in large part, by the air passing through your radiator.
Over the years I have come to the conclusion that I am best served by a 50/50 mixture of a good antifreeze and water.
You are probably OK for the next few months with the mixture you have, just make sure you keep your system topped up and the airflow through your radiator unrestricted.
Over the years I have come to the conclusion that I am best served by a 50/50 mixture of a good antifreeze and water.
You are probably OK for the next few months with the mixture you have, just make sure you keep your system topped up and the airflow through your radiator unrestricted.
FredWanaker
Well-known member
why guess. For $4 you can measure the % and be accurate. That is how I have always done it. Antifreeze is highly poisonous, slow death. A few drops can kill a pet or child. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BOA9RY/?tag=atomicindus08-20
FredWanaker
Well-known member
antifreeze also prevents electrolysis, which can kill an engine from the inside out.
65ranchero
Well-known member
I was just going to suggest that.why guess. For $4 you can measure the % and be accurate. That is how I have always done it. Antifreeze is highly poisonous, slow death. A few drops can kill a pet or child. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BOA9RY/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Sorry if this was already covered didn't read through all the responses. You need to know total coolant capacity of your automobile then its just math. You know you added 2 gallons and that was 25% coolant and 75% water. Subtract the 2 gallons from total capacity and you can assume that was at 50/50. So you can calculate what the mix currently is. Then you need to figure out how much coolant needs to be replaced with 100% antifreeze to bring overall mix back to 50/50.
You can also use a hydrometer (I believe newer coolant requires a special refractor tool to measure mix properly). The refractors aren't too expensive I've been meaning to order one myself.
You can also use a hydrometer (I believe newer coolant requires a special refractor tool to measure mix properly). The refractors aren't too expensive I've been meaning to order one myself.
firebirdparts
Well-known member
It does actually help some, yes. Fundamentally yes. However, if you have too much water in there you might not mind some of it evaporating. You can add back 100%. The truck of course will try to resist letting any of it get away.Please don’t laugh at me but does the anti-freeze prevent evaporation of water ? I don’t know if that’s a dumb question.
According to the Google box your truck should hold around 5.4 gallons of coolant. If you're worried, drain it all, and put 2 gal of antifreeze and top it off with water. I, myself, wouldn't worry about it until November, but I don't know what part of Tx you're in.Ok if it had that much to start with I won’t worry about it. Plus it sucked up some fluid after. A couple days and I added some 100% so I’m sure it’s just about right now.
djbmw
Well-known member
You're lucky you are in a warm climate. Here in Ottawa we will occasionally see a number of cars stranded on the side of the road (or in their driveways) because they used a 50/50 "premix" that protected down to -37F when it was brand new... but a few years of age, plus a possible dilution from a water top off will see a number of cars stuck in -35 to -40F temps in winter.
isb cornbinder
Well-known member
NAPA in Canada has the ability to test your coolant. NAPA also sell an inexpensive coolant tester.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Your coolant sys. vol. is 2 gallons? I suspect it's more like 4.So I have a 2016 F150. My upper radiator hose busted 6 days ago. I replaced it same day. I was on the side of the road so I filled it with one gallon of 50/50 and another gallon of pure water. So I’m at 25% antifreeze. It’s 102 everyday here in Texas. Do I need to drain some and add more antifreeze or will I b ok as is ??
If you're 40,000 mi into 60,000 mi service and live south of the 40, without plans to travel N in winter, you'll be fine.
I lived off the 40 for years, used distilled and additives, not antifreeze. Would I get by with that, had I lived a few hours further north? No.
Your profile location being top secret makes answers you get inaccurate and / or potentially useless.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Plus, modern vehicle typically do NOT use the old green anti-freeze.The antifreeze lowers the freezing point and raises the boiling point of water as well as provides corrosion protection. The radiator cap pressurizes the cooling system which also changes the boing point.
I’d think a full-size truck would hold more than two gallons of coolant.
Drain it, Refill with plain water. Drive for about 30 minutes and drain again.
It is nearly impossible to get all of the water/old coolant out of a modern engine. Start you refill with1 gallon 100% coolant. I would use Motorcraft brand designed for your engine. Only a few dollars more than generic. You will probably need more than 1 gallon so top off with 50/50 Be smart ! Make your own 50/50 !! You already have 1 empty jug !
Garcky
Well-known member
Exactly. The only thing that ever goes in my radiator is 50/50. I mix it myself and save money. Of course, my cars are very new and I haven't had to add any to them yet, but I have two gallons of 50/50 in the garage, just in case.Plus, modern vehicle typically do NOT use the old green anti-freeze.
Drain it, Refill with plain water. Drive for about 30 minutes and drain again.
It is nearly impossible to get all of the water/old coolant out of a modern engine. Start you refill with1 gallon 100% coolant. I would use Motorcraft brand designed for your engine. Only a few dollars more than generic. You will probably need more than 1 gallon so top off with 50/50 Be smart ! Make your own 50/50 !! You already have 1 empty jug !
Walkers
Well-known member
Yeah, but you are in cool coastal southern California, you could probably bust a radiator hose and not notice for a year or two!The liquid in your radiator is the transfer medium, it is warmed by the engine and cooled, in large part, by the air passing through your radiator.
Over the years I have come to the conclusion that I am best served by a 50/50 mixture of a good antifreeze and water.
You are probably OK for the next few months with the mixture you have, just make sure you keep your system topped up and the airflow through your radiator unrestricted.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
When I DO change the coolant in any of my vehicles, it is a multi-step procedureExactly. The only thing that ever goes in my radiator is 50/50. I mix it myself and save money. Of course, my cars are very new and I haven't had to add any to them yet, but I have two gallons of 50/50 in the garage, just in case.
- Drain old coolant
- Fill with water and a flushing chemicals
- Drive for 30 minutes
- Drain. Refill with water
- Drive for 30 minutes
- Drain
- Install 100% coolant
- Drive for 30 minutes
- Let cool for at least 4 hours.
- Check level and strength. If over 50/50 remove some and add water..
As mentioned you are good for now. You are 40K into your coolant so if this were mine I'd do the coolant maintenance interval but in your temps I'd just wait. (Unless your work area has A/C.) I prefer distilled in my mix so if there was a repair that used other water, I drain it out soon.
nadogail
Well-known member
Many of us could not tell you the last time the coolant in our cars was changed or when it will be done. When I was a kid we tested the specific gravity of the fluid and added fresh as needed. If a system was drained we might refill it with fresh.
rockettauto
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 12, 2023
- Messages
- 745
If you started at 50/50 you are now at approximately 60/40....which is perfectly acceptable.
More accurately 5.4 gallons , 3.4 at 50%, 2 at 25%
Which gives you 1.7gal pure plus .5 gal pure or 2.2 gal pure out of 5.4 gal which is 40.74% of the total.
You could take out .4 and replace with pure to be back at marginally off 50/50
More accurately 5.4 gallons , 3.4 at 50%, 2 at 25%
Which gives you 1.7gal pure plus .5 gal pure or 2.2 gal pure out of 5.4 gal which is 40.74% of the total.
You could take out .4 and replace with pure to be back at marginally off 50/50
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