Coolant change question?

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4WDTRK

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Gearing up to change coolant soon. Book says the system holds 16.7 quarts (roughly 4 gallons). I plan to drain the radiator using the drain petcock then refill with distilled water, cycle system, drain again, repeat until clear/water only, then refill with straight dexcool. What I'm wondering is how much coolant/water stays in the system with only a radiator drain? Knowing that will make it easy to add enough straight dexcool to get it close to 50/50 mix. Any other tips are appreciated. Thanks!
 

retiredsparky

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Can't you just measure the amount you drain from the radiator? If you measure 3 gallons drained, put in 2 gallons of antifreeze plus 1 of water.
 
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4WDTRK

4WDTRK

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Yea that's what i figured I'd do. Was just curious so I know what to expect. Thanks.

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mizzouguy

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When I did mine, when I drained the system the final time after using just water several times, I added roughly 60% of the systems total capacity as straight dex-cool, then topped off with straight water. That way I know its right, and slightly on the strong side. 60/40.
 

01ssreda4

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Pull the lower hose, it will drain the engine way better and quicker.
 
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4WDTRK

4WDTRK

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Thanks for the tip I was looking at the lower hose as an option too. Thought maybe the the petcock would be cleaner as far as drain spills, but if I'll drain more from the lower hose so be it.
 
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