Anyone know the capacity of the stock radiator?

[deabionni]

I drained my radiator tonight, and only 1/2 gallon drained out of the radiator. Once I had it out of the car, I flushed the radiator with a hose; and I measured how much water came out, and once again I only got about 1/2 gallon out.

1/2 gallon seems like a small amount given the size of the radiator. I checked the TSRM for the capacity of the radiator; but all it says is the TOTAL capacity for the cooling system is 8.1 quarts.

Is a 1/2 gallon normal for our radiators, or is my radiator's core partially plugged?

 

[benchwarmer]

Sounds low to me. Take it somewhere and have it flushed, it's cheap insurance.

 

[mkIIIman089]

Well, yea, it wouldn't list the radiator capacity because you don't need to know it for any maintenance purpose.

It should be more than that, but having it sonic cleaned may not be cost effective for such a cheap radiator and "flushing" it if it's that jammed up isn't going to do jack. Your most cost effective option is probably just to replace it.

 

[ZoomZoomZoom]

I drained my radiator tonight, and only 1/2 gallon drained out of the radiator. Once I had it out of the car, I flushed the radiator with a hose; and I measured how much water came out, and once again I only got about 1/2 gallon out.

1/2 gallon seems like a small amount given the size of the radiator. I checked the TSRM for the capacity of the radiator; but all it says is the TOTAL capacity for the cooling system is 8.1 quarts.

Is a 1/2 gallon normal for our radiators, or is my radiator's core partially plugged?

I just replaced the radiator in my car, and I probably got about a gallon of fluid out of it. Now there was some left in the hoses when I unhooked them, plus in the engine block and heater core. I flushed the engine block while the radiator was out and found fluid in there plus alot of crap. After I put everything back, I filled it with water, and added a radiator cleaner to the water and ran it. Drained and refilled with coolant.

 

[mkIIIman089]

There is probably 50% of the coolant left in the block after the radiator has been drained. It's a bit baffling that no one ever pulls the block plug when they "flush/change" their coolant...

 

[deabionni]

Thanks for the replies.

I just called a local radiator shop, and they confirmed that the radiator should hold about a gallon (give or take a bit).

They quoted a price of $45 to pressure flush the radiator, and an additional $10 to $15 if they have to use acid in it. They even said that I might try an old mechanic's trick of pouring CLR in it, as that should break up most of the lime deposits and avoid needing to bring it to them for the flush. They said the CLR works if the buildup isn't too thick.

Either way, $45 isn't too bad for a professional flush.

 

[mkIIIman089]

IMO a complete waste of $45.

 

[radiod]

If the radiator's in good condition, fins aren't all messed, etc, there's nothing wrong with spending $45 to flush it. What would you get if you bought a new one to replace it? Something that looks prettier and functions about the same that 6 months down the road will start to very much resemble the one you have right now anyways.