Radiator fluid amounts question

[Swamp Rabbit]

Ok. So I feel like an idiot but need to know whether I have made a mistake. So I drained my radiator and flushed it 2 times. I go to add in the new Dexcool. First gallon 100% goes in. So I feel the gallon jug back up with pure water. I am pooring it in and only get half of it in and its full. So I crank up and the fluid does not go down any. So I drive around the block mean time the temp gauge gets to normal operating status. I chill out for a minute and check the fluid level hoping it has went down. I am under the impression that I have to put 2 gallons and then some in. As of right now I have 1 1/2 gallons in. Will the fluid level go down some so I can put the remainder in there? Or is there an air lock or something I am suppose to be doing. Thanks for the help. Oh by the way....my middle name is Murphy. That is short for Murphy's Law. I have the worse freakn luck.

[mwcky2204]

How To: Change Coolant and Inspect Cooling System

[Swamp Rabbit]

Those are the directions I call myself following. It calls for 10.6 L of fluid though I believe. I only have about 5.5 L in there now I suspect.
Did I miss something?

[rune]

Don't forget the heating system as well. Heater core. And from what I found cooling system is actually 11.6 quarts.

[NativeColorado]

did you drain the block when you flushed it?

[rune]

I always drain block and heater core. That was on my mustang though. With the rado, and deathcool, I let GM handle it. Too much of a hassle to dispose, and I'd rather have as uncontaminated of a system as possible.

[Swamp Rabbit]

Update. Apparently I didn't drain the block. So instead of redraining and dealing with more headache......I drained some fluid out and put in some more water. I just went for a ride and during the ride it went to half way mark. So I sat in my drive way with AC on full blast and it bumped up to almost 2 dots above half way just sitting there at 8:30 PM. Frustrating. Does my skid plate being off right now have anything to do with this by chance? I am going to check my freeze ratio again in the morning while the truck is nice and cool. I may have to drain some more fluid out and add just water. What is the lowest ratio I can go to? It does freeze here in the winter. Sometimes down to 10* but that is extreme cold here.

[NativeColorado]

Choosing the temp you think is safe is up to you based on where you live. And the way you get to that temp is by purchasing the coolant test guage and trial and error until you get to the number you predetermine. Skid plate will have some bearing since the bottom of the factory skid plate is an air diffuser to increase air flow to the radiator. But if you are just parked in the driveway, that being off won't matter.

[Swamp Rabbit]

Ok. So I checked it this morning while everything was cool. The ratio thing says it is at 0* F now. I may leave it there and see what happens. Don't expect it to get to 0 around here.

Also, I understand the skid plate would have nothing to do with it sitting still. I was just wondering if driving around it would cause my temps to get up therefore when just sitting still with AC rockin would have actually cause to heat up therefore just sitting it would actually started at a higher temp than normal if the plate would have been on there. Wow that makes no dang sense.

[NativeColorado]

No, it doesn't make any sense. But on the highway the air diffuser will make a difference.

[Swamp Rabbit]

Ok. So here is my update.

I changed the Rad fluid. My current freeze point mix is 0*. I cleaned the K&N air filter. Put a bottle of Royal Purple Ice in. Changed transmission fluid and filter. And put a transmission cooler on the front (no fan). Still running same temps. 2 notches above 1/2 way. Keep in mind it was 102 here today and the heat index was like 112. It is stupid HOT

[rune]

Honestly man if you are only 2 notches above 1/2 at 102. You are fine. When I was running back from Cali with SC's parents, and it was 105 out, we both were running 3/4 mark. Where you are sitting right now is prolly around 215 degrees. Its warm but its not OMG the truck is on fire hot. It will be fine. I think that sometimes we tend to overthink these things way to much. Way till you get a scanguage. Then you really start to find problems that don't exist.

[xronx]

oem spec is 10.0 liters (10.6 quarts)

[NativeColorado]

Originally Posted by rune

Honestly man if you are only 2 notches above 1/2 at 102. You are fine. When I was running back from Cali with SC's parents, and it was 105 out, we both were running 3/4 mark. Where you are sitting right now is prolly around 215 degrees. Its warm but its not OMG the truck is on fire hot. It will be fine. I think that sometimes we tend to overthink these things way to much. Way till you get a scanguage. Then you really start to find problems that don't exist.

x2. 2 notches about half is only 200-205 on my scanner. That is the hottest mine has gotten too after making my changes. That temp is good.

[1BADI5]

Originally Posted by rune

Honestly man if you are only 2 notches above 1/2 at 102. You are fine. When I was running back from Cali with SC's parents, and it was 105 out, we both were running 3/4 mark. Where you are sitting right now is prolly around 215 degrees. Its warm but its not OMG the truck is on fire hot. It will be fine. I think that sometimes we tend to overthink these things way to much. Way till you get a scanguage. Then you really start to find problems that don't exist.

That line is so true!

To much knowledge can be as bad as not enough!

[gbc43]

Originally Posted by 1BADI5

That line is so true!

To much knowledge can be as bad as not enough!

I put some cooling fluid in mine because I was pulling a trailer when I first got my truck .