No Coolant

Cdy291 · #1 05-22-2011, 08:28 AM

I opened the hood last night and was looking around and to my suprised the coolant resivoir was bone dry. I have not seen any leaks. I have never done this job before so should I flush the system first? Give me a few tips.

djfllmn · #2 05-22-2011, 08:29 AM

id just fill it up and see what happens

StealthRanger · #3 05-22-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djfllmn

id just fill it up and see what happens

X2

FireRanger · #4 05-22-2011, 08:59 AM

Well, "Just fill it up" isn't the way to handle this, nor should it be filled to begin with.

First, with the engine cold, open the radiator cap and see what the level in there is. If it is full, great. The reservoir tank should then be filled half way with a 50/50 mix of water and anti-freeze. Do not fill it all the way to the top, just half way. In a case like this, it is likely the tank itself had a slow leak or it just evaporated over a long long time. Or it was never filled to begin with. No big deal and nothing to worry about,

If the radiator level is low, then you should fill the radiator with the 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. With the cap still off, start the engine and let it warm up. Once the engine reaches operating temperature, the t-stat will open and coolant will begin circulating through the radiator. You'll probably see the level drop down again. Keep adding more as the level drops. Eventually the level will stabilize full. Be careful, that water is 190+ degrees. Put the cap back on. Fill the reserve tank 1/2 way up with the 50/50 mix. Done. The lack of coolant could be any number of issues. The most common is that it was never filled properly to begin with the last time it was flushed out. So don't get all worried until it happens again.

mikey09120 · #5 05-22-2011, 04:08 PM

you shouldnt ever have to ADD coolant or water into the resevoir tank. it is only used for overflow and there is no issue if it is empty

SalRanger2 · #6 05-22-2011, 04:10 PM

check if the radiator itself is empty, im not sure but if its not a sealed system check the actual radiator

mossyoak03 · #7 05-22-2011, 05:12 PM

And iof ur radiator is empty and you haven't seen leaks check your oil

FireRanger · #8 05-22-2011, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey09120

you shouldnt ever have to ADD coolant or water into the resevoir tank. it is only used for overflow and there is no issue if it is empty

Incorrect, that is not how the system works. The reserve tank goes both ways. The radiator cap allows coolant to flow INTO the tank when pressure in the cooling system gets too high. The radiator cap also allows coolant to be sucked back into the cooling system from the tank if a vacuum develops due to low coolant levels. If the tank is empty, its because its already sucked it all in.

Do as I posted above if you don't want to screw up your truck badly.