I am kinda newbie when it comes to working on cars, other than simple stuff like oil changes. But I have replaced my radiator and my water pump and thermostat over the weekend, and figured out where I had some seepage. So now I need to make sure I properly fill it up.

I have around 2 gallons that I poured into the radiator. Do I just let the engine run and cool down and see where the reservoir is at after?

Any tips or pointers?

Do I do that incorrectly?

 

double check your owners manual, but the whole system should be about 7 gallons, and that should be mixed 50/50.

 

If you replaced all of that, have more than 2 gallons ready. Here's the process (with open systems only) I used to refill coolant after cooling system work:

1) With engine cold, pop rad cap and fill until it reaches the fill neck. Be patient; allow time to fill and even give the whole vehicle a good shake or two to make sure she fills.

2) Replace the cap and start the engine. After starting, go back and remove cap again, and you should see where the water pump has drawn coolant from the rad and it will need filled again. Replace coolant as it is drawn into the engine as needed; however, be careful not to keep the cap off when the coolant starts to heat. The coolant will try and bubble over the fill neck. Just fill until the level of coolant is visible in the fill neck.

3) Fill your coolant overflow resevoir to FULL, and keep an eye on it for the next few days or sometimes the full week. The engine will draw what it needs from the overflow over time.

You will probably hear a slight hissing/ air pressure noise as the engine runs after step two is completed. This is normal; it is nothing more than air in the system escaping through the vent in the rad cap.

Good luck!