modealings

Hi - I've recently just started doing maintenance work myself on my 2000 XJ so I unfortunately have some likely very basic questions. I searched for this one but couldnt find the answer.

I just flushed my radiator system and replaced the thermostat, but when I went to refill it with antifreeze I was only able to get about 6qts in. My understanding is the system takes 12 qts from the owners manual. My plan was to fill with 6qts full strength and then fill the rest with distilled water. Here is how I did it:

1. Remove lower radiator hose, allow to drain. Refill with Prestone radiator flush and distilled water.

2. Drove for approx 3 hours over the next few days occasionally turning the heater on full blast for a few min.

3. Drained that via lower radiator hose. Refilled with distilled water, ran for 10 min with heat on, then drained again. Refilled with full strength antifreeze - but only got in 6qts.

Each time I fill it up, I burp the air with the upper radiator hose. I also turn it on at the end of filling to add a bit more as the level drops.

When I turn it on now the temp holds at 195-200F with no issues. The level in the reservoir didn't drop at all.

I just expected to be able to add much more after a drain. Any thoughts? Thank you.

modealings

I also understand that without removed the block drain plug there is probably 4 qts that wont drain out. But 4qts plus 6qts antifreeze still leaves me with 2 qts unaccounted for right?

OldTires

Just keep your reservoir bottle full. As you drive around, whatever is missing from the system will be pulled from there. Make sure you take it off first and wash it out because it collects a lot of sediment over time.

Your method flush method sounds good. When I did mine, I disconnected both radiator hoses and flushed out the radiator with the garden hose plugged in to the top hole. Just let the water run for a few minutes.

Truth is, if the cooling system is dirty, it takes several flushes over a few years to get it clean. Since 2014 when I replaced my radiator, I have done 3 flushes of the system, and only after the last one has the coolant stayed a clean, bright green color.

modealings

Sounds like a plan, thanks. Yea this radiator is only 3 years old but I was surprised at how dirty the coolant was. Looks like it's yearly flushes from here on out.

freegdr

Search White Vinegar flush old school but works great.

CherokeeSailor

I don't know about yours, but my 99's reservoir is just an overflow bottle, there's no return for it, I'd imagine OPs 2000 is just an overflow bottle too.

Rogue4x4

Not true.

Directly from the FSM

The coolant reserve/overflow system consists of a
radiator mounted pressurized cap, a plastic reserve/
overflow tank (Fig. 3) (Fig. 4), a tube (hose) connecting
the radiator and tank, and an overflow tube on
the side of the tank.
OPERATION
As the engine cools, a vacuum is formed in the
cooling system of both the radiator and engine. Coolant
will then be drawn from the coolant tank and
returned to a proper level in the radiator.

CherokeeSailor

That's interesting, thanks, I didn't realize that's what the deal was with it.

Rogue4x4

EZEARL

Yep. That's why there's a cold mark and a hot mark on the bottle.