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Unexpected strong freeze coming up (around 20 F), so I better take some precautions. I mentioned problems with the cooling system of my M51A2 multifuel, better said, an undiscovered leak somewhere. That leak is still undiscovered, but the engine, when running, runbs smooth without any signs of water in the engine system or oil.
In 2010, I drained most but not all of the water from the system and refilled it with Eurol Coolant -36 XL. In 2012 and 2013, I topped up with 1 1/2 gallon of coolant and once with 2 gallon straight water. The truck has not been running and driving now for the most of two years. Planned repair actions fell through and with temps now getting below freezing,
Current situation. The truck is standing outside at a farm, I have two almost dead batteries (as in kaput) and the coolant level in the engine is low. That is, I cannot see any water in the top part of the radiator but don't know how empty the system really is. Most of the drainage bolts on the radiator and engine are rusted solid, so I am scared to start trying to loosen them now.
Theoretically, with 8 gallons of antifreeze in the truck topped up with 2 gallons water the system still should protected, even with a low level of coolant. I am thinking to just put another 2 gallons of coolant in the radiator and through all rubber hoses on top of the the engine to get the system full again, but maybe that is waste of coolant. Problem is that I have no starting batteries, so I cannot get the engine running to circulate the coolant throughout the whole system.
Question: what is better, have an engine completely drained throughout the winter or try to get it topped up. We are talking Europe here, HD diesel antifreeze is expensive. Temps in winter mostly stay around 10 Fahrenheit, but easily can go below zero Fahrenheit for several days. With a drained engine, I would expect you would have more problems with rust forming inside the cooling system.
In 2010, I drained most but not all of the water from the system and refilled it with Eurol Coolant -36 XL. In 2012 and 2013, I topped up with 1 1/2 gallon of coolant and once with 2 gallon straight water. The truck has not been running and driving now for the most of two years. Planned repair actions fell through and with temps now getting below freezing,
Current situation. The truck is standing outside at a farm, I have two almost dead batteries (as in kaput) and the coolant level in the engine is low. That is, I cannot see any water in the top part of the radiator but don't know how empty the system really is. Most of the drainage bolts on the radiator and engine are rusted solid, so I am scared to start trying to loosen them now.
Theoretically, with 8 gallons of antifreeze in the truck topped up with 2 gallons water the system still should protected, even with a low level of coolant. I am thinking to just put another 2 gallons of coolant in the radiator and through all rubber hoses on top of the the engine to get the system full again, but maybe that is waste of coolant. Problem is that I have no starting batteries, so I cannot get the engine running to circulate the coolant throughout the whole system.
Question: what is better, have an engine completely drained throughout the winter or try to get it topped up. We are talking Europe here, HD diesel antifreeze is expensive. Temps in winter mostly stay around 10 Fahrenheit, but easily can go below zero Fahrenheit for several days. With a drained engine, I would expect you would have more problems with rust forming inside the cooling system.