Coolant flush and fill - only put in about 8L

[estoguy]

Hey guys, while doing timing belt 2.0, I also replaced the four main rad hoses and flushed and filled the coolant with fresh. When I drained, I had the heat on.

I was able to get two gallon jugs in before I started her up. Once warmed up, I got plenty of heat, I got it up to about 8 L. I had about a liter of wastage from bleeding.

Car is running fine, no over heating, sounds fine. I've cracked the bleeder a couple of times, no air.

Could having left the heat on account for the other gallon or so that the cooling system is supposed to take? Should I have turned the heat off for the flushing?

I'm not terrible worried - my last coolant change was only 17 months ago. Just wondering.

[TobyB]

That sounds about right.... I change from water to antifreeze in the winter

(racing rules, not my choice)

and it seems that 2 gallons is about what it takes.

t

[long tall eta]

i believe it's 2 1/4

[AndrewBird]

You have to realize you will never get all the coolant out of the head/block when you drain it. There is a significant amount still in all the low spots. 2 gallons-ish is about right.

[estoguy]

OK... I just seem to remember putting in more the last time. She's running great and giving lots of heat, so I'm not worrying about it then.

[Mr. Tasty]

Also you will need to bleed the air out and add more coolant. Allowing the water pump to be turned will allow the air to escape.