Dont quote me on this but I believe more water offers better cooling (like a 60/40 mix). As far as how much coolant to put in. It all depends, If you drained you radiator, there will still be coolant inside the block and various parts. You should just premix the solution in a container then dump it into the water neck until its full. Start the car and let it run for a bit. Then turn it off and let it fully cool down and check your levels.

Oh, and dont forget to add some coolant to the overflow also.

turbodsm18 said:

Dont quote me on this but I believe more water offers better cooling (like a 60/40 mix). As far as how much coolant to put in. It all depends, If you drained you radiator, there will still be coolant inside the block and various parts. You should just premix the solution in a container then dump it into the water neck until its full. Start the car and let it run for a bit. Then turn it off and let it fully cool down and check your levels.

Oh, and dont forget to add some coolant to the overflow also.

Click to expand...

Ok I am feeling very dumb right now. Where do I check the levels? I see the level for the overflow tank, but don't see where to measure for the coolant system.

96gstdsm said:

Ok I am feeling very dumb right now. Where do I check the levels? I see the level for the overflow tank, but don't see where to measure for the coolant system.

Click to expand...

You should check the level on the overflow tank to make sure it's at the proper mark (2 different lines for hot and cold). You check the level on the radiator cap (which is on the thermostat housing - to the left of your valve cover). The fluid should be just about to the top. Do NOT open the cap while the system is extremely hot - or at least be VERY careful in doing so.

turbodsm18 said:

Dont quote me on this but I believe more water offers better cooling (like a 60/40 mix). As far as how much coolant to put in. It all depends, If you drained you radiator, there will still be coolant inside the block and various parts. You should just premix the solution in a container then dump it into the water neck until its full. Start the car and let it run for a bit. Then turn it off and let it fully cool down and check your levels.

Oh, and dont forget to add some coolant to the overflow also.

Click to expand...

Yes, this is correct. More water offers better cooling. If you're going to be driving this in cold weather only use a 50/50 mix. If not, then put in a 70/30 mix.

If you haven't changed the coolant in a long time, this is what I would do:
1. Drain the radiator completely
2. Drain the overflow bottle completely and thoroughly clean out any gunk from the bottom
3. If you're up to it and your radiator looks horrible, take it out and clean it with a pressure washer (not necessary)
4. Use a radiator "flush" per the directions on the bottle (I used Prestone)
5. Empty the flush and fill back up with hose water and run the car for a little bit (another cleaning step)
6. Empty the water and fill up with your 50/50 or 70/30 mix, and a bottle of Water Wetter
(make sure you fill up your overflow bottle to the correct line also) (Make sure to use DISTILLED water for your mix, do not run tap water)
7. Every couple days after you're done, check the fluid levels and top if with distilled water if needed.

If you're having overheating problems, consider changing the thermostat and radiator cap while you're at it. Make sure your upper and lower radiator hoses look good too.

turbosax2 said:

Yes, this is correct. More water offers better cooling. If you're going to be driving this in cold weather only use a 50/50 mix. If not, then put in a 70/30 mix.

If you haven't changed the coolant in a long time, this is what I would do:
1. Drain the radiator completely
2. Drain the overflow bottle completely and thoroughly clean out any gunk from the bottom
3. If you're up to it and your radiator looks horrible, take it out and clean it with a pressure washer (not necessary)
4. Use a radiator "flush" per the directions on the bottle (I used Prestone)
5. Empty the flush and fill back up with hose water and run the car for a little bit (another cleaning step)
6. Empty the water and fill up with your 50/50 or 70/30 mix, and a bottle of Water Wetter
(make sure you fill up your overflow bottle to the correct line also) (Make sure to use DISTILLED water for your mix, do not run tap water)
7. Every couple days after you're done, check the fluid levels and top if with distilled water if needed.

If you're having overheating problems, consider changing the thermostat and radiator cap while you're at it. Make sure your upper and lower radiator hoses look good too.

Click to expand...

OK do I fill into the overflow tank to fill the whole system or do I fill it in through the radiator cap? I know the lines and all on the overflow tank, but just don't know if I fill in through there or if it even matters.
When using the flush fluid should I fill the same amount as if I were filling it with coolant etc?
I'm assuming the cold level is the upper line correct?

I think I'm going to do a 60/40 mix and I also have water wetter. Is one bottle good or should I use 2 bottles? I have 2 already so wondering if it would help out since I do have cooling problems ever since installing a big fmic.

96gstdsm said:

OK do I fill into the overflow tank to fill the whole system or do I fill it in through the radiator cap? I know the lines and all on the overflow tank, but just don't know if I fill in through there or if it even matters.
When using the flush fluid should I fill the same amount as if I were filling it with coolant etc?
I'm assuming the cold level is the upper line correct?

I think I'm going to do a 60/40 mix and I also have water wetter. Is one bottle good or should I use 2 bottles? I have 2 already so wondering if it would help out since I do have cooling problems ever since installing a big fmic.

Click to expand...

First, fill the overflow bottle to the line at the bottom (assuming the engine is cold). The line at the bottom is "full cold" and the line at the top is "full hot". Then, to fill the entire system up you fill through the radiator cap.

http://www.prestone.com/products/coolingSystemTreatments.php
I used the Super Radiator Flush. Go to that website and click on Instructions (they will also be on the back of the bottle). I just followed the instructions step for step. You will fill the system up entirely (up almost to the radiator cap). Make sure you have some fluid in the overflow bottle too while you're flushing the system.

A 60/40 mix should be fine. After reading a bunch, I found out most people use 1 bottle of Water Wetter, some use 2. The directions on the bottle say 1 bottle per xx amount of coolant in system - for our cars, you just need 1 bottle. Just save the second bottle for another time.

turbosax2 said:

First, fill the overflow bottle to the line at the bottom (assuming the engine is cold). The line at the bottom is "full cold" and the line at the top is "full hot". Then, to fill the entire system up you fill through the radiator cap.

http://www.prestone.com/products/coolingSystemTreatments.php
I used the Super Radiator Flush. Go to that website and click on Instructions (they will also be on the back of the bottle). I just followed the instructions step for step. You will fill the system up entirely (up almost to the radiator cap). Make sure you have some fluid in the overflow bottle too while you're flushing the system.

A 60/40 mix should be fine. After reading a bunch, I found out most people use 1 bottle of Water Wetter, some use 2. The directions on the bottle say 1 bottle per xx amount of coolant in system - for our cars, you just need 1 bottle. Just save the second bottle for another time.

Click to expand...

How do I know how much to fill into the radiator cap? Thats the one part I really can't seem to find any info on. If someone can let me know that I would really appreciate it.
Thanks a lot for the help. I guess I will just go with the 1 bottle. Do you think an extra bottle will help at all or just be pointless? My temps seem to get pretty high so if it helps at all it would be worth it.


Ok never mind. I finally decided to use my brain and remembered hahah. Was used to not having any fluid visible when opening the radiator cap, but guess there lies my problem. Was not enough coolant in the system.
Will do a flush shortly just getting dark tonight.

96gstdsm said:

How do I know how much to fill into the radiator cap? Thats the one part I really can't seem to find any info on. If someone can let me know that I would really appreciate it.
Thanks a lot for the help. I guess I will just go with the 1 bottle. Do you think an extra bottle will help at all or just be pointless? My temps seem to get pretty high so if it helps at all it would be worth it.


Ok never mind. I finally decided to use my brain and remembered hahah. Was used to not having any fluid visible when opening the radiator cap, but guess there lies my problem. Was not enough coolant in the system.
Will do a flush shortly just getting dark tonight.

Click to expand...

You just keep putting fluid into the radiator cap until it fills to the top. As you pour fluid in, it will disappear from sight. After awhile, it won't disappear and you will see the fluid - just fill it up until the fluid is almost to the top where the radiator cap goes on. If you still need me to explain more, let me know.

I don't think an extra bottle will help, however, I have no experimental data of 1 bottle vs. 2. It's up to you, but I just put 1 in. As far as your temps getting high, there's like 4 million things to try to lower them. Search the forums and you'll find things to try out - ex. fmic ducting, new thermostat and rad cap, hood vents, vents in front bumper, new radiator, remove ac condensor, etc etc.

Edit: Glad you got it then! Let me know if you need any more help!