2001 Chevy Silverado With 5.3 Correct Coolant Mixture

[chasenfish16]

I blew out a heater hose this summer and lost all of my coolant, at the time I refilled it with straight water. I just got around to draining the the system through the radiator and added 2 gallons of 50/50 mix back in to top of the system. After reading the manual it says the total system capacity is 16 quarts I am wondering now if I have enough anti-freeze in the system. Any input would be appreciated.

[thearborbarber]

I had a similar situation with my 2004. I filled it with water, drained the radiator down and refilled it with straight dexcool though. My mixture was about 40 dex cool/60 water. So I drained the radiator again and refilled with straight dexcool and ended up 50/50. Presetone's hydrometer works with dexcool FYI.

[txab]

I would say no. You've got basically 4 qts coolant to 12 qts water

 

Edit: As Chris says drain some and just add straight Dex to it.

[ryan_hermanutz]

4 quarts to a gallon so txab is correct, you only have about 4 quarts of coolant in there, drain a gallon and put a whole straight mix in.

[thearborbarber]

Walmart sells the prestone coolant hydrometers for $2.99. Test the coolant when it is cool. When you have 265 degrees of boil over protection you have a 50/50 mix. Takes any of guessing out. Kind of an expensive "coolant flush" but at least you know you have good coolant.