DragStuff

Well overnight we had some zero and below temps and extremely windy which made things worse. They closed schools and everything.

So my worst fear was that my battery wasn't up to start my truck, but it did and at 5:20am and 2F it started right up BUT and there is always a BUT, my engine temp came up but no heat. I shut it down when it went over 210F and let it sit for a little and went back out to check it.

Same thing, but the temp stayed normal but still no heat. I popped the hood and the heater hoses were hot, but the one side of the upper hose wasn't and you could fell some slush in it, so I broke up the slush and finally the entire hose was hot.

So I let it run for a little longer and finally I had heat.

My question is, the antifreeze in it is not that old. I was using the 50/50 mix to fill it as needed and then in the summer I added water. I just recently added some straight antifreeze to it.

I was always told that if I used straight antifreeze that this would freeze before the 50/50 mix, but what I don't understand is, with the 50/50 that was in it as well as plain water, and some straight antifreeze, what caused my system to get some slush in it?

Since it's going to be close to 60F on Sunday I want to drain some of the coolant out, but what do I put back in? I got a half gallon of straight antifreeze, should I add that and add water or get the 50/50?

The antifreeze that is in it is only a few years old.

Hey Bruce,

I would buy an antifreeze tester, and then maybe add straight antifreeze until it shows good. I would assume they are somewhat accurate.

I take that I use my reservoir tank to check this?

It's a 2000 GMC pickup.

My vote is that the thermostat stuck...

No that is open, I had warm water past the thermostat housing and in the top hose.

Right before the top hose went into the radiator, the hose was cold and you could feel there was some slush inside the hose so I squeezed the top hose and finally got warm water up to the radiator.

A few minutes later the truck was fine and I had heat.

I would pull it right from the rad but the reservoir tank should be ok. That's the 5.7 vortec right?

It's the 5.3 Vortec.

Well the one tank on the radiator was cracked due to old antifreeze in it. When I replaced the radiator yesterday, it looked like, as Ray called it, a Snoopy Snow Cone machine. Slush was all through the radiator, top and bottom hoses and at the thermostat.
Put a new thermostat in, added new 50/50 antifreeze and now the truck runs much cooler then I'm used too.

It normally ran at just under 210F and now it's around 185F. Same sized radiator, 28-1/4", same temp thermostat, can't figure this one out.

I checked with a coworker this morning and his normally runs just under 210F as well?

Any idea's.

Straight anti freeze does not freeze before a 50/50 mix. HOWEVER, straight anti freeze does not conduct heat as well as water. So in order to get some of the anti corrosion properties and freezing/boiling point modification of the anti freeze and the cooling capability of water you use a 50/50 mix. In more extreme conditions, you can alter the mix up or down, more anti freeze when cold, more water when hot.

and now you have it, this is why this guy is calling the shots on the Camaro....only wish when he makes the calls, he would pay for it...LOL

Bruce69Camaro wrote:and now you have it, this is why this guy is calling the shots on the Camaro....only wish when he makes the calls, he would pay for it...LOL

Uh....lil' bro....not saying Ray's not smart. We know he is because he races a Chevelle. but, that's pretty common knowledge........unless of course you spent your childhood sewing up tears in your figure skating costume. Today's Bad Mental Picture...lil' Bruce in a tu-tu....

Michael Peters,

I hold no bitter, I just feel sorry for how and what you have become.

Whether I'm playing hockey or figure skating in my tu-tu or driving a slow Camaro, I just want you to know, I'll always be your lil' bro.

So sad to think of what you could have become

Hahahahahahaha! A new name------"SLOWMARO" !!!! Hehehehehe.....

Look who got left out of Mexico......

Where you been hiding at?

So now you're teaming up with Mr. Peters too, are you?

Guess you like football too.....

Get that Nova in primer yet?

The Nova is almost ready for paint. man I can't wait to show it off once painted!!!!!!