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Antifreeze and Engine Coolant
All internal combustion engines generate heat. To regulate the temperature of the engine, an engine cooling system, usually a water-cooled system, removes the heat. Antifreeze liquid solutions are added to prevent ice build-up in these systems at cooler temperatures.
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What if coolant gauge reads 100?
If the coolant gauge reads 100°C (212°F), it indicates that the engine is overheating. This can lead to severe engine damage if not addressed promptly. It's essential to pull over safely, turn off the engine, and allow it to cool down before checking the coolant level or seeking professional assistance. Continuing to drive under these conditions can result in a blown head gasket or other costly repairs.
I found this on another web site, the best explanation I've seen. Sorry no images.
F150 Coolant Change
*1998 Ford F150 4x4 with 4.6L V-8, 4R70W 4spd electronic automatic, with air conditioning.
NOTE: Follow these instructions at your own risk.
Tools needed for the job:
Safety glasses
Rubber gloves
Ratchet, 17mm socket
19mm open end wrench
piece of 1/2inch ID hose (any)
Suitable drain pan
Funnel
Rags/Paper towels
Loctite liquid or teflon tape
Parts needed:
2 jugs good quality antifreeze, preferably low phosphate (4L/1gal)
2 jugs distilled water (4L/1gal)
Time required to complete:
1/2 to 1 hour depending on how quick you are. Draining is the slow part.
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Note: Pictures not included...wear safety glasses while under the vehicle for eye protection as there's lots of dirt and grime under there just waiting to drop into your eyes.
Procedure:
1.Wait until the vehicle has cooled off for at least 1/2hr if you've just driven it to avoid getting a "hot coolant treatment"... burns hurt!
2.Place your drain pan under the passenger side front wheel well.
3.Open the coolant expansion tank to allow air in to help drain the system.
4.Locate the drain spigot, bottom of radiator, inside engine compartment, passenger side.
5.Fasten your 1/2inch hose (about 6-12 inches long) on the spigot's spout which points to the passenger side. Use the 19mm open wrench to loosen the white drain bolt. Make sure your drain container catches the coolant as some will leak from the spigot drain bolt as well. Left arrow shows hose on spligot, right arrow shows spigot drain bolt. Bottom picture shows 19mm wrench loosening the spigot bolt.
6.Let it drain.
7.Take your garden hose and flush out the expansion tank, then let that drain also
8.When it's finished draining, pull the hose off the spigot and tighten the bolt. Don't over tighten it... it's plastic so 1/16 of a turn max.
9.Locate the drain plug on the block. On my 98' 4x4 I found the plug just below the rear-most frost plug in the block on the driver's side accessible. Use a 17mm socket & wrench. They use loctite so you'll have to really pull on it, so watch your knuckles. Wear leather gloves for safety. My engine block heater is also in that frost plug so it's a tight socket fit.
9a.The arrow shows the plug, pic taken from front of truck underneath looking up and rear-ward on driver's side of the motor.
10.Make sure you have your drain pan underneath the motor before fully removing the plug in the block. Haynes manual shows a different picture, they say drain plugs are 1 inch above oil pan. Sort of accurate but their picture isn't accurate. There are too many brackets and the starter, etc in the way on the passenger side. If you have all day you might want to attempt it, I didn't.
11.Let it drain. Now put some loctite on the drain plug threads after cleaning them off/drying them. Make sure the drain hole in the block is dry with paper towel. Then re-insert the plug. Put it in good and tight.
12.Start filling in the coolant using your funnel. First the two jugs of antifreeze, then follow until full with distilled water. Let the engine come up to temperature and then check it again.
13.If the engine doesn't heat up fast enough you can always do a drive around the block or to the corner store. Then check the level again. Be very careful with opening the expansion chamber coolant cap while the engine is at operating temperature. This is very dangerous. If you have to then use a couple of rags to cover the cap, and open it slowly just a notch to let the pressure escape. If coolant comes rushing out close it immediately. Otherwise you can open it once the pressure is released.
Tips/Hints:
always use distilled water, not spring water or from the garden hose when doing the final fillup with coolant. The mineral/sediment content in regular water will eventually drop out of suspension and clog your heater core/radiator later on as the coolant ages.
if you have the time use a commercial engine flush. Drain the coolant as shown above, fill with engine flush and water. Run it up to operating temperature. Let it cool 1/2hr. Drain complete system again (I'd flush with plain water once more to get all the flush chemical out). Then fill up with distilled water/antifreeze. Engine flush can get rid of accumulated dirt/grime/sediment/mineral deposits. I didn't have time for this it this time around.
dispose of the coolant at a service facility or recycling depot. Don't pour it down the drain.
total coolant capacity of my 98' 4.6L 4x4 with air conditioning is 18.9L!! I didn't get that much in. It's best to try and reach the drain plug on the other side of the block but I wasn't that ambitious.
Ideal mix for coolant v.s. distilled water is 50/50% and up to 60/40% (more antifreeze than water). 60/40 gives the most protection in extreme cold and extreme heat before boil-over.
Cost:
antifreeze is about $10-12CDN per 4L/1gal jug, you'll need a couple.
distilled water was around $3CDN per 4L/1gal jug, you'll need 1 1/2.
No, regular flushes of the cooling system are necessary to keep mineral deposits from forming on the inside of the engine and radiator.
Mineral deposits can partially clog the cooling system and form an insulating barrier that will keep your cooling system from working properly.
How much antifreeze do you add to a 94 Thunderbird?
If it has a 4.6 V8 it needs 1 3/4 Gallons antifreeze and then fill with water.
What does it mean when overflow tank empties itself?
It means that you have a coolant leak. You need to have the system pressure tested for leaks.
How many colors of antifreeze are there?
I have seen pink, red, orange, blue, purple, green, and yellow.
They all turn brown if not changed when required.
What to do when the engine coolant light turns red?
Stop, pull over, shut off your engine, and call for assistance. You can cause serious damage by overheating your car.
Perhaps the coolant was overfilled. It will expand because of heat or pressure and the excess makes it way to the coolant refill tank. Make sure your coolant doesn't have oil in it. In a worst case scenario you could have a faulty head gasket or engine damage that allows engine oil to seep into the coolant. But if you don't see oil in the coolant, then just drain some off.
Why do you put antifreeze in the car?
You put anti freeze in your car for 2 reasons. 1 Reason is to keep your engine operating temperature at the specifide level and keep the engine from over heating. The other Reason is to protect your engine block from craking in extreme cold. When liquid freezes it expands and could potentialy crack a weak engine block. Anti freeze does not become solid till around -50F. Also, anti freezes contain additives which reduce corrosionwithin the engine and the rest of the cooling system.
What type of fluid go's in the radiator?
Only plain water goes into the radiator.
The Above is Wrong
A mixture of Antifreeze and distilled water (some people even say de-ionized distilled water). The antifreeze bottle will tell the ratio to give specific freezing and boiling temperature of the fluid but for most of the U. S., half and half is fine. Check your owners manual or ask at the auto parts store for the type of antifreeze recommended for your car. There are different kinds.
I actually looked up this question becauses of all the true crime movies I watch, like Stacey Castor movie ... I do know that someone I grew up with lost her younger brother I believe he was around 4. Apparently the "dad" was doing work on his car and their son drank water out of a puddle in the driveway - he passed away so for a 4 year old it was exceptionally limited so after the web sites I have veiwed including this one - it is a very scary thought and maybe that should be a new invention is something less toxic and antifreeze should be banned.
What Ratio of water and antifreeze is needed to keep water from freezing?
Coolant container will say if it is pre-mixed or full strength. If full strenght, mix it 50/50 with water.
Pre-mixed coolant can be added "as-is"
Where is the coolant fill cap on a Lincoln 2002 ls?
On a 2002 Lincoln LS :
The engine coolant reservoir is in the engine compartment , on the drivers
side of the engine compartment , next to the firewall . According to a drawing I
was looking at there is some kind of trim piece over the top of it , but the trim
piece has a hole in it to gain access to the engine coolant reservoir cap
