i think this goes here.....i recently got the blue radiator hose braid for my 3.0 and i thought if i took the side by the radiator off, i wouldnt lose any fluid, i was very very wrong.....i dont know how much i lost but it was plenty, but my tank doesnt show that its low....help please

 

Just add more. No biggie.

 

Which tank? The overflow (white plastic) tank won't show it until you heat up the engine and then cool it again. There won't be any suction to pull fluid back until then.

Simply top off the radiator itself and run the truck till it starts to heat up then shut it off. At that point, it should pull fluid from the overflow tank if it needs it. Then top off the overflow tank after the truck cools. You should be golden.

 

get the engine warm then take the cap off the radiator, carefully, and refill until you get the fluid in the radiator full. Make sure the thermostat is open.

 

NO!!! are you trying to get someone burned????????????


Take the cap of while the engine is cold ONLY!!!!! NEVER TAKE THE RADIATOR CAP OFF WHILE THE ENGINE IS HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

One of the easiest and most important tasks to prepare your vehicle for winter driving is to inspect the level and freshness of your vehicle's antifreeze. The Car Care Council recommends that motorists check their antifreeze every 12 months or 12,000 miles to help protect the engine from freezing and overheating, as well as from rust and corrosion damage.

The most common formulation of antifreeze is green in color and uses ethylene glycol as a base with anti-corrosion additives mixed in. Ethylene glycol lowers the freezing point and raises the boiling point of the radiator fluid. In other words, it keeps the water from freezing on very cold days and from boiling over on hot days. Over time, these additives wear out, lessening their ability to protect vital engine and cooling system metals against rust and corrosion. Your vehicle owner's manual will provide antifreeze usage specifications.

"Inspecting and maintaining your vehicle's cooling system takes just a few minutes of your time, but it is well worth it when you consider what could happen," said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. "Cooling system failure is the leading cause of engine related breakdowns, which can cost thousands of dollars and leave you and your family stranded at the worst possible time."

To check the level of antifreeze/coolant, you will need a few basic service tools and an antifreeze ball tester, which is available at your local auto parts store. Always make sure the engine and coolant system are cool before you begin. Opening a hot radiator or coolant reservoir/overflow tank can cause severe burns. If the antifreeze/coolant is low, add a 50/50 mix of approved antifreeze and distilled water. If you changed your antifreeze recently, but your level is low, use the antifreeze ball tester to make sure the anti-freeze-to-water ratio is correct.

This is also a good time to inspect and replace any bad cooling system hoses. Check for leaking, brittle, spongy, cracked or rotted hoses, as well as to make sure that the radiator hose clamps are tight to prevent leaks at the connections.

If you're unsure about any aspect of cooling system service, don't take a chance. Have your car inspected by a professional service technician. Checking your vehicle's cooling system today will ensure that it's ready for the long winter ahead.

This article is courtesy of Car Care Newspaper Supplement

 

and if you didnt get the hint from nick.....

NEVER OPEN IT WHEN HOT

Just top it off when cold.

 

isnt it all gold now? sure seems like it by the price of it!!!

 

Good post Nickster, I have heard to never mix the different types of antifreeze and some are not good with aluminum engine parts.