Cooling system capacity doesn't jive...or the difference between flush and drain.

I'm in the midst of flushing the cooling system and preparing to remove the radiator for tomorrow's belt replacements. So I drained my radiator, which was full to the cap yet I only got a little less that 2 gallons in the drain pan. Okay, moving on...I then closed the valve (petcock?) and added the Penzoil flush and filled with water. Started the engine and ran it for 10 minutes before shutting off and again draining the radiator. Got another 2 gallons - no more. All the drain periods was with the radiator cap off.

Why so little fluid? FSM calls for 12.3 quarts. Do I need to jack up the rear end?

 

Flush and drain are apples and oranges. To flush to me means getting it all out and starting fresh which requires me to drain radiator with petcock like you did, also remove heater core hoses, back flushing heater core, removing block drain plugs....etc etc etc
Are you wanting to flush or drain ?

Talks a lot but I would give Timmy the Toolman's flush video a look see.

https://www.tundratalk.net/threads/coolant-flush.746274/

 

There are two engine block heater drains, as stated above

 

Block drain plugs as in the expansion plugs set into the sides of your typical prehistory V8 engines of the '50s thru '80s or longer? Those round plugs that are supposed to pop out when the block freezes, etc.?

Sorta looks like I was doing a drain then. And I forgot about turning the heater on, dang nabbit! So excited the rains stopped, I rushed out without brushing up on procedure. Strange that I've never done a drain before after all these many years.

[edit] I recall now that I did one drain when doing an engine swap about 38 years ago. Back when engine oil cost $0.99 to $1.29/quart, antifreeze was about $2.00/gallon concentrate and spark plugs about $0.79/each.

 

There are 2 10mm brass bolts that open a drain on either side of the engine to drain coolant from the block. Anything left in after that point would be very hard to remove

 

No, there are threaded plugs on the block that when removed will drain the coolant passages.

 

As others mentioned, my use of plugs meant what they are saying "threaded plugs/bolts".

Just an FYI and your model may be different but a drain should be approx 10.5 US qts, which is close to your 2 gal you mentioned.

 

Ah so Tundrasan. Visualize a potbellied inchworm flailing about in a crawl space that barely clears his mass - yep, that's me going hunting for some plugs.

 

Do wish you good luck on this timing belt changeout and hopefully you've got the blunders out of the way

 

My drain and fill (drained at the engine block valves) was exactly 3 gallons. That means .3 quarts is trapped somewhere which is probably at the oil cooler where the oil filter attaches. My next coolant service will include unhooking this hose as its the lowest part of the system (lower than the block drain valves) and where gunk could be trapped? Should be easy for you since you are doing major service and everything out of the way.

Some notes:
1) Disconnect your heater core tubes at the fire wall and pour some fresh coolant in one using a funnel and catch the other side discharge with a small tub. Re-connect and then proceed with filling your major system.

2) Since the engine block valves need to be opened with a 10mm? I just went ahead and removed them completely to inspect. The design of the valve will allow some sediment to trap unless full removed. Not much, but a just a little.

 

I've got a heavy weight in my corner, and I'm not talking about me. I've wrenched a bit in my day, even put in an engine in a Chevy all by myself using a wood pole tripod and come-along to lift it, after pulling out the old block - in a pouring rain and laying in a puddle when disconnecting from the transmission. Removed the hood and radiator, then lifted the engine while pushing the truck backwards so as to clear the engine - then again I was 30 years old, not 69. I've just never worked on these newer engines, just the old Ford And Chevy stuff. Oh, and I never did a coolant flush before only the one drain when I replaced the engine in that Chevy.

 

Yeah I was wondering if I could still do this drain of the heater core as an afterthought. Thanks for the tip, I am genuinely grateful for all the help, and this tip in particular.

 

@Professional Hand Model After much thought it seems you may in fact be the forum wizard.

 

Thanks, but I’m not sure about that. I missed my calling as a mechanic after my model hands were discovered.

 

Yep, don't forget to drain the block on both sides. 10mm.

 

get a room

 

I know what you mean, I was destined to be a movie star, but at the last minute I came in second to a John Holmes who beat me by a neck (of a razor clam). Blew my confidence enough that I gave up my secondary dreams of becoming a gigolo, becoming a carpenter and banging nails instead.

 

@marbleville I believe it was 1/4" hose I used to attach to the spout and run into my catch pan. Or just take the spout off completely like PHM said. I didn't do my heater core this time but should have. Rookie move on my part.