changing coolant
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
changing coolant
I cant remember the last time I replaced the coolant in my car so I think ill take care of that this weekend. When I replaced the coolant in my truck I just opened the pit-**** in the radiator and removed the lower coolant hose. Someone mentioned something to me about coolant plugs in the block. Whats the proper way to change the coolant in my '82?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
There are two block drains. 1 on each side an inch or two above where the oil pan meets the block about half way back. They are 1/4 npt and you can get them out with a 9/16 socket. The coolant may drain right away, or there may be sediment in the block in which case a small screwdriver will clear the hole. Drain both of these and the radiator and that will get it all out, no need to remove the hose. This might be a good time to use some cooling system flush and clean it out also.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: STANTON CA
I cant remember the last time I replaced the coolant in my car so I think ill take care of that this weekend. When I replaced the coolant in my truck I just opened the pit-**** in the radiator and removed the lower coolant hose. Someone mentioned something to me about coolant plugs in the block. Whats the proper way to change the coolant in my '82?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 31
From: Little Egg Harbor N.J.
What about doing the coolant flush thing? That should get everything out right? I did that last year and would hate to have to drain it all out in order to remove those two plugs.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
If you do a good cleaning job once ... then every 2-3 years water-flush only (plugs out) & fresh Dh2o mix ... you'll probably never need to clean it again.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...post1568304902
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
pull the threaded block plugs & flush thru there too ... IF you have to poke thru rust/sediment OR if much comes out block plugs, THEN also do a cleaning w/strong chemical ... THEN flush thru again ... then refill w/ distilled water & antifreeze.If you do a good cleaning job once ... then every 2-3 years water-flush only (plugs out) & fresh Dh2o mix ... you'll probably never need to clean it again.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...post1568304902
Let me try and put this into perspective.
Here is what settles in the bottom of the block where the plugs are. You can see by the wrench size how big these pieces can get.
What is in the bucket was only on the 10th flush.
Try running water in that bucket and seeing if it cleans it all out. It won't happen. Drill a hole in the bucket bottom and you will be able to rinse it out thru the hole.
Same thing with the block plugs.
BTW, to get this stuff out thru the block plugs, I probably flushed for a couple of hours, filling the block and then emptying it at least 25 times.
Bottom line, if you don't do it right, this stuff will plug your rad, especially a new aluminum core that has much smaller passages.
This is one of the first things I do with any engine I get simply because the cooling system should be as clean as possible.
Then you can chase other problems.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
well i got the driver side plug off but I didnt feel like messing with the passenger since it seemed to have the temp sensor and everything attached to it and I'm leaving in a few hours for gainesville, but very little crude was in the plug, fairly clean coolant flowed right out freely, I flushed it once and it was clean so I;; consider myself lucky I put in two gallons of coolant first so my mixture is more like 65/35 of coolant to water but all seems well. Hopefully no issues on the highway later today.