Hi all,

Quick question: Does the total coolant capacity listed for my 1999 Blazer of 11.7 quarts include the volume of the expansion tank? If yes, to what mark on the expansion tank; the "full" mark when the engine is hot?

Thanks

 

I believe that the manual lists the total quantity if the engine and heater core are completely dry...ie: new.

 

Yeah but does it also include the overflow/expansion tank? I would think it does but I have never seen it documented as such.

 

I can't recall seeing it either. Sorry, I'm not much help.

 

I just now measured the volume of the overflow (expansion) tank for my cooling system. The volume to the Add mark is 2 cups (1/2 qt) and the volume to the Full mark is 6 cups (1.5 qts).

That would leave 11.7 - 1.5 = 10.2 quarts in the rest of the system.

 

Last update: I drained and refilled with distilled water 5 times. I know, I know, that might be excessive but I had already purchased that water. On average, I could get about 1.25 gallons out by draining just at the radiator drain. That 1.25 is almost exactly 1/2 of the 2.55 gallons I calculated of the cooling system not including the overflow container.

By jacking up the right front corner and removing the right side hose to the heater core, I could fill in as much antifreeze as I wanted and could see it displacing water that would come out of the heater core. When I had put in about 1.25 gallons of antifreeze into the radiator I reattached the heater core hose. When reattaching the hose I could see there was water at the heater core and in the hose as I attached it so no bubbles.

I used the remaining ~0.25 gallons of antifreeze mixed with about the same amount of distilled water to fill the expansion tank to about the Add mark. After I drive it next and it gets hot, I'll top off the expansion tank with a bit more distilled water if necessary.