2001 5.9 V8 quad cab 4x4 86,000 miles

Ok guys bought this truck 6 months ago and have put almost 3,000 miles on it with no issues.

Here's the situation, the other day I thought I should check the coolant since winter is starting to set in. I noticed the antifreeze seemed really strong. (appeared as almost straight antifreeze) couldn't find my tester so on the way home from work tonight I bought one. Tested it and its showing only good to +10 which is consistent with straight antifreeze. So my thought was to siphon coolant out of the overflow and add straight water, let it circulate, retest, and repeat if necessary until I get the correct ratio.

I added the water and took the truck for a 10min. drive, upon returning I realized the water is not circulating out of the overflow. The water in the overflow was infact still cold. I allowed the truck to idle for another 10min. and the same thing. Cold water in the overflow. I then started checking around and noticed the lower radiator hose is cold. Top hose is hot. Lower hose not even warm. Cold... Called a friend and he suggested to get a new radiator cap.(thought maybe system wasn't holding enough pressure) Drove the truck 15min. to town bought a cap, installed it, drove the truck 15min. home and still cold water in the overflow. Cold lower radiator hose. When I leave the radiator cap off the truck I cant tell any water is circulating and the coolant in the radiator is warm at most.

Truck doesn't run hot, temp. stays about 190 even idling. Heat blows hot, and I haven't had to add any water since I've owned it.

Does this sound normal???

I guess I was thinking the water in the overflow should have mixed with the coolant after driving awhile. Is this the case?

Should I take the plug out of the radiator to drain it some and add water or pre mixed coolant to try and lower my coolant rating?

Also should mention the truck appears to have a newer radiator and hoses.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

While the engine is running, the lower hose must be cold (which means the radiator is doing its job) and the upper hose hot. If there isn't enough coolant in the radiator it will not "overflow" into the overflow tank (even if temp is 190*)

 

I ran my truck for years without anything being in the overflow at all. Never had a problem

These engines just dont like to get hot. I drove around for a week with a bad water pump and didnt come anywhere close to overheating

 

Mine never uses the overflow, it never gets hot enough to push past the radiator cap.

 

Honestly, it's a good sign that your truck isn't using anything from the reservoir. That means the cooling system has no leaks and that it's in good shape. If you want to regulate the coolant mix, pull the stopcock from below and let some of the coolant out (or disconnect the upper rad house and dump some out that way). The reservoir tanks aren't pressurized like they are on some gm vehicles and other smaller cars - the pressurized coolant overflow tanks are the only ones that circulate the coolant through them on a regular basis (cars with pressurized tanks usually have no radiator caps I believe). IMO the pressurized tanks are a PITA...I'm glad my truck and my tracker don't have them.