Bleeding 3.3L engine coolant the hard/easy way.

[Jaymorz]

Thanks JSolo - I'll check on that shortly.

Also, I'm pulling the trigger on Zerex Asian-Specific 50/50 P-HOAT antifreeze instead of the AMSoil due to what DJ mentioned regarding the phosphate content.

 

[JSolo]

No clue on the coolant. I just bought a gal of kia 50/50 pink. This is what came with the car (see sig). Figure keep it simple.

 

[Rodtheviking]

Thanks JSolo - I'll check on that shortly.

Also, I'm pulling the trigger on Zerex Asian-Specific 50/50 P-HOAT antifreeze instead of the AMSoil due to what DJ mentioned regarding the phosphate content.

That is what I used when I flushed mine.

 

[Jaymorz]

No clue on the coolant. I just bought a gal of kia 50/50 pink. This is what came with the car (see sig). Figure keep it simple.

Here are some photos I just grabbed while the car was sitting overnight in the garage.

Think if I top off the reservoir I should be in the clear?

 

[D.J.]

Here are some photos I just grabbed while the car was sitting overnight in the garage.

Think if I top off the reservoir I should be in the clear?

Yout overflow looks 100% empty, and your rad looks low.

You can attemp to guage how low the rad is by slowly squeezing the upper rad hose while the rad cap is off, and observing.

 

[G-56001]

Thanks DJ, before I test out how low. What would you recommend I do? Flush the system and refill the radiator and reservoir?

 

[Jaymorz]

Thanks DJ - i'll do that momentarily.

What do you reckon I do in this situation? Flush the system and top off the rad and res?

 

[D.J.]

Thanks DJ - i'll do that momentarily.

What do you reckon I do in this situation? Flush the system and top off the rad and res?

Once you determine how much needs to be added..... You can then make a better descision.

Just keep track of how much you add.
Hopefully it's a all amount (like 500ml)

Until you know how low it is, don't really fully know the issue yet.


Start with a top off. Hopefully that's all it needs.

Then monitor the level closely for the next few tanks of fuel.

 

[Jaymorz]

Will do! Thanks for the support and immediate responses!

I'll report back once I observe the radiator

 

[JSolo]

^^Has your temp gauge inside the car indicated any over heat conditions?

Given how low your levels are, I'd do as earlier in the thread, post #5. To ensure you have no air elsewhere in the system. Personally this is not my tool of choice, but better than nothing and better than having an air pocket circulate throughout.

My tool of choice is a vacuum filler (uview 55000 or similar).

 

[SRV]

Should I just top it off or flush the coolant completely?

You can get these 'coolant test strips' to test your coolant to find out its health and make a decision from there:

https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Systems-8001-B-Determine-Automotive/dp/B01CNHJ4QI/ref=sr_1_5?crid=SBZVGG8ICKYB&keywords=coolant+test+strips&qid=1665354368&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjQ1IiwicXNhIjoiMi45MCIsInFzcCI6IjIuOTIifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=Coolant+strips%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-5

But I'd say, if you're feeling motivated, just go ahead and change it.

 

[Jaymorz]

Once you determine how much needs to be added..... You can then make a better descision.

Just keep track of how much you add.
Hopefully it's a all amount (like 500ml)

Until you know how low it is, don't really fully know the issue yet.


Start with a top off. Hopefully that's all it needs.

Then monitor the level closely for the next few tanks of fuel.

DJ - I squeezed the upper radiator hose roughly 70-80% and the coolant was about to overflow.

JSolo - Temp gauge hasn't prompted any issues, and researching across the forums, someone with worse, but identical, issues did not get an overheat code either.

When I squeezed the upper radiator hose, it sounded and looked like air bubbles escaping. After a few consecutive squeezes, no air released.

Should I top off the reservoir or is it harmful to mix new with existing coolant? (Survey says Valvoline-Zerex is compatible with OEM specifications??)

 

[Jaymorz]

You can get these 'coolant test strips' to test your coolant to find out its health and make a decision from there:

https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Systems-8001-B-Determine-Automotive/dp/B01CNHJ4QI/ref=sr_1_5?crid=SBZVGG8ICKYB&keywords=coolant+test+strips&qid=1665354368&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIzLjQ1IiwicXNhIjoiMi45MCIsInFzcCI6IjIuOTIifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=Coolant+strips%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-5

But I'd say, if you're feeling motivated, just go ahead and change it.

Just grabbed one of those along with some Valvoline Zerex from Amazon.

Any concerns with just draining the fluid and replacing it like in this video?

I feel like he missed some key steps to do this correctly??
Also my buddy said new model cars actually are worse off when you flush the traditional way (i.e. distilled water through the system a few times)

 

[D.J.]

DJ - I squeezed the upper radiator hose roughly 70-80% and the coolant was about to overflow.

That's good news. Means you are hardly down any coolant

Just top it up and it will be fine


If you have the 3.3 v6. Coolant capacity is over 12 quarts. And by the sounds of it, you are down less than 1 qt.

Top it off with any compatible coolant. Even distilled water would be fine for such a small top up.

Coolant capacity :
Approx. 11.6 L (3.06 U.S.gal.,12.26 U.S.qt., 10.20 lmp.qt.)

 

[Jaymorz]

That's good news. Means you are hardly down any coolant

Just top it up and it will be fine


If you have the 3.3 v6. Coolant capacity is over 12 quarts. And by the sounds of it, you are down less than 1 qt.

Top it off with any compatible coolant. Even distilled water would be fine for such a small top up.

Coolant capacity :
Approx. 11.6 L (3.06 U.S.gal.,12.26 U.S.qt., 10.20 lmp.qt.)

Thanks so much DJ!

As soon as the amazon package arrives, i'll be sure to do so.

Apparently these cars are known to evaporate more coolant than others?

Should I keep topping off coolant if levels reduce below L?

 

[D.J.]

Apparently these cars are known to evaporate more coolant than others?

I have 102,000kms on mine

I have added 400ml of coolant to my overflow reservoir in total over those 100k, and 4 years.

I think that is typical for this type of cooling system

 

[D.J.]

Should I keep topping off coolant if levels reduce below L?

Kia manual says.

You have to decide for yourself what is too "frequent"

If the coolant level is low, add enough specified coolant to provide protection against freezing and corrosion. Bring the level to F, but do not overfill. If frequent additions are required, see an authorized Kia dealer for a cooling system inspection.

 

[SRV]

Also my buddy said new model cars actually are worse off when you flush the traditional way (i.e. distilled water through the system a few times)

Did you do a Google search on it? If so, what did you find?

If it were mine, I would not bother with flushing since the car is relatively new and has not sat idle/unused for years.

 

[5tinger]

Probably best method

 

[Jaymorz]

Really appreciate all the feedback and responses.

The Zerek Coolant came in earlier today - will just top off the reservoir and see how that goes.

Probably will fill right before I leave for work in the AM to let the car cooldown from the commute home.

Did you do a Google search on it? If so, what did you find?

If it were mine, I would not bother with flushing since the car is relatively new and has not sat idle/unused for years.

I did not do a google search on this but will entertain one just to satisfy both of our curiosities