new coolant
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Monroe County Michigan
new coolant
Hey all...New guy here...searched but couldn't find info about using modern coolant in my new 89 vert..drove it straight to quick change service center I've used for years for fresh mobile 1 and a flush and refill. Then started worrying about whether new style coolant is appropriate. Love the forum btw!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Your '89 uses ethlyene glycol (green) coolant. If you were talking about the orange Dexcool, that will require a complete flush of the old coolant and making sure the green coolant is gone from the system. These two styles do not mix and will create problems.
There are coolants out there that are described as universal types, but if you stick with the regular green coolant you will be fine. Also, you may want to consider replacing both the upper and lower radiator hoses if they haven't been replaced in the last 6-8 years.
There are coolants out there that are described as universal types, but if you stick with the regular green coolant you will be fine. Also, you may want to consider replacing both the upper and lower radiator hoses if they haven't been replaced in the last 6-8 years.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Monroe County Michigan
oops
Your '89 uses ethlyene glycol (green) coolant. If you were talking about the orange Dexcool, that will require a complete flush of the old coolant and making sure the green coolant is gone from the system. These two styles do not mix and will create problems.
There are coolants out there that are described as universal types, but if you stick with the regular green coolant you will be fine. Also, you may want to consider replacing both the upper and lower radiator hoses if they haven't been replaced in the last 6-8 years.
There are coolants out there that are described as universal types, but if you stick with the regular green coolant you will be fine. Also, you may want to consider replacing both the upper and lower radiator hoses if they haven't been replaced in the last 6-8 years.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
I had major cooling system problems when my green coolant wasn't flushed completely before putting in the orange stuff. My coolant turned to rusty-looking mud.
There are a couple of ways to do a complete flush. One is to use a machine that pumps out the old stuff and recirculates the coolant until all the old coolant is gone.
You can flush it manually by draining and refilling the radiator and the block (both sides) multiple times until the coolant is clear and then filling with 50:50 antifreeze. This is the method recommended by GM.
There are a couple of ways to do a complete flush. One is to use a machine that pumps out the old stuff and recirculates the coolant until all the old coolant is gone.
You can flush it manually by draining and refilling the radiator and the block (both sides) multiple times until the coolant is clear and then filling with 50:50 antifreeze. This is the method recommended by GM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Mixing the two coolant types will become a problem and removing the resultant brown crud will be time-consuming. I would go back to the shop and ask specifically what coolant they put into the system and whether or not their exchange machine did in fact remove all traces of the old coolant.
Dexcool will "work" as long as the old coolant is completely removed but ethylene glycol (green) is what the car came with. GM didn't start using Dexcool in Corvettes until towards the end of the C4 production run.
Dexcool will "work" as long as the old coolant is completely removed but ethylene glycol (green) is what the car came with. GM didn't start using Dexcool in Corvettes until towards the end of the C4 production run.
