I decided to drain the coolant from the rad last weekend and replace it. It's supposed to be good for 5 years, but I don't trust it to go that long and the car is 3 1/2 years old now.

From past posts on this site, I figured I would get out about 2/3 of of the 4.6's total capacity of 12.9 litres (12.5 quarts), with the rest remaining in the block, so I bought 2 4-litre jugs of the proper Motorcraft Premium Gold stuff at the dealer and went at it (I was changing the oil and filter, too).

Well, I couldn't get more than 3 1/4 litres to drain out of the rad (about 3 quarts). That was it! About a quarter of the total capacity. All I could do was top it up with 3 1/4 litres of fresh coolant (60% antifreeze, 40% distilled water).

What's that about? Surely ("don't call me Shirley") the rad holds more than that. I did remove the cap on the overflow container right up top, so any theories?

Craig

2005 GT Convertible. Delivered June 3, 2005. 5-speed manual transmission. Mineral Grey. Bullitts with Pony centre caps. Black top. Medium Parchment leather interior with Interior Upgrade Package, side airbags. 6-disc CD. Active anti-theft. Ford Racing strut tower brace. Ford exhaust tips, custom car cover and trunk liner. Ninosport door sill letters. Shortened antenna, radiator extension panels from Mid-West Auto (bought from Mustangs Unlimited), Class 2 hitch.

 

Nobody has any ideas about this? Nobody else has changed their own antifreeze?

Any techs out there who might know?

 

Thissa pissa meoff. WTF?

Craig

 

Shifter1

Let me say I have not drained the coolant for my GT due to its lifespan. I think that may be why no one has replied, the ones that have drain coolant did it as part of thier mod package and the others just haven't got around to it.

Though they look cheap, the prestone coolant flush kit works great and i'll buy it when its time for me to flush. The mustang may have a good portion of its coolant in the block or hoses leading to and from block.
Slipping off the return hose and running the car will force out the old coolant, just keep adding new as you go.

cloewe

 

You have to run the engine until the thermostat opens. I usually flush with water until it runs clear. I drain again and add a 50% mix of coolant and distilled water. It may take several top offs until the car goes through a number of heating and colling cycles to purge trapped air. The Prestone flush kit works well but running a hose in the reverse direction does the same thing.

 

ravenblack67: You have tried this on an 05+ GT?