Can someone help me with a "coolant" problem?

Question

My car overheated, I had a small leak in a hose then it was totally empty of water. I wasn't near any stores so I only used water. It's very hot here in Kansas today, so it only kept it cold enough to get home. My question is, how do I get coolant into my radiator if it's already full of water?

Answer 1

Either there is a small tap or "petcock" at the base of the radiator or there isn't  If you do not see something you can turn with your fingers, then you don't have one.  Then the only way is to take off the bottom rad hose clamp and pull the hose away from the rad.  Make sure the engine is cold when you do this as hot water is hot. and let it out.   Now hopefully, you had picked up coolant first. 50/50 mix would be great.   Then let all the water out.  Onto the lawn.  It won't hurt the grass at all.  Close everything up, and put in the coolant from the top.  Hopefully, you have fixed the hose issue too.

    In the good old days that is all they used, water.  But water boils at 312F and they needed it higher.  Coolant made it go higher. And coolant also prevented water from freezing in the winter time so was perfect for that.

    So the fact you were using just water is no big deal, except that boil over is more likely to happen.

Answer 2

once you get the hose fixed, just drain the radiator and refill it with anti-freeze.

Answer 3

NEAR the bottom of the radiator you'll find a petcock,or radiator drain c**k. USE IT!

                               "BRILLIANT"!!!!