Topping up VZ LS1 Coolant

[vzv8man]

I got my car serviced a few days back at Holden. They said my radiator was split and my water pump was leaking. They gave me a repair price of $1300. Because I have an AWN warranty i rang them, and they said to get it to one of their authorised repairers. This meant the closest one was 25km away, so i got it towed there as they are also the RACQ.

They replaced the radiator and water pump. I told them to use proper Holden Coolant and they did.

When I picked it up , they had the bottle of coolant, with a bit left in it. They said to check the radiator in the morning, and make sure it was full as sometimes there is air in the system. I checked it this morning , and it is about 10cm down in the radiator, and you can see a bit of the top of it.

Do I just use the coolant to top up, or do i mix it with water. Do i need to use demineralised water, and also do i need to add any to the overflow pipe.

Would it be an idea also to get a new radiator cap?

Thanks

[Bling Bling]

Just boil some water let it cool and put it in job done.

[vzv8man]

Is that with a bit more of the coolant as well?

[IJ.]

Bunnings sell demineralised water, mix it to the ratio on the bottle of coolant and top up, the recovery tank has a dipstick and an overflow and will find it's own level if you add too much, not really sure what boiling the water is meant to achieve per the previous suggestion...

[feistl]

I'm guessing the theory is once water is boiled a lot of chemicals (Eg chlorine) evaporate...

I still prefer the distilled water from bunnings...

[vzv8man]

I just topped up with coolant and a little bit of demineralized water. Thought it was weird that there was still nearly 2 litres in the 5 litre DEXTROOL container. Maybe they havent put enough in to start with?

[jc_sv8]

I just had my VY SV8 services and they told me the same thing, split radiator and leaking water pump.
I guess being over 10 years old it was bound to happen some time.
It must be a tiny split as the overflow bottle only requires topping up every couple of weeks.
I bought the demineralised water from Mal's and it costs about $1.75 for 4 litres.

Weighing up whether it would be worth getting it all replaced as I may be trading it later this year...

[macca_779]

Far out you guys stress over nothing. Chuck 5l of coolant in and top it off with plain old water is all I've ever done. 200000k ls1 with no dramas still on original pump radiator and hoses

[Souljah]

Tank water if your really fussy haha.

[IJ.]

Tank water if your really fussy haha.
Only if it's a plastic Tank and has come off a plastic roof and there are no metal pipes or fittings in the system ;)

[johnv]

Wouldn't hurt to replace the cap while your at it, if the cap is dodgy and overpressurising the cooling system, it may have contributed to the split radiator tank.

[Woodchukka]

A mechanic where I did my apprenticeship filled the bottle we used to top up batteries with water straight from the tap. When I asked 'Shouldn't that be distilled water' he replied 'Dis-is-still-water' Far enough I said and left him to it. I use water from my rain water tank. My dad used to use water from a bore which was very hard water and never an issue.