C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Coolant supplement pills

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Old Oct 16, 2002 | 05:25 PM
  #1  
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Default Coolant supplement pills

i want to change my coolant on a 90 L98, and my question is, how useful are the collant supplement pills.

i´ve heard a few people saying, that they are not necessary, and mabe its better to live without them,...

thanks
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Old Oct 16, 2002 | 06:15 PM
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Default Re: Coolant supplement pills (corvette90)

GM apparently no longer recommends them when doing a cooling flush. If the coolant in your system looks good, flush it and use distilled water for the last flush cycle and then refill with the correct mix of a good coolant (ethelene glycol - Prestone) and distilled water.

If you haven't changed hoses, this would be the time to do it.
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Old Oct 16, 2002 | 06:22 PM
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Default Re: Coolant supplement pills (corvette90)

I used them about 10-15K miles ago when I had to replace the water pump. Before I replaced the pump, I had a slight coolant leak unrelated to the pump. I used 5 of the 6 pills. It stopped the leak. I also gummed up the little orifice that controls coolant to the heater core, gummed up the recovery tank, and who knows what else.

If I were to do it again, I think I'd dissolve them outside the system and use only 1 at a time.
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Old Oct 17, 2002 | 04:09 PM
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Default Re: Coolant supplement pills (c4cruiser)

hi..

yes, my collant looks fine no leaks, but it has his age..i own the car already 2 years, ans i dont kon how often the pre owner changed it..

thanks
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Old Oct 17, 2002 | 05:12 PM
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Default Re: Coolant supplement pills (John Row)

When I pulled the heads and flushed the system a year ago, I asked the dealer about the pills and they said they were not recommended.

I did not add the pills when I flushed the system. I have a theory that after some period of time, the small holes will be plugged and when you flush the system, you don't need to add more.
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Old Oct 17, 2002 | 08:39 PM
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Default Re: Coolant supplement pills

they will clog the heater core. just ask the impala guys, we know :)
Larry
96 impala on 5th heater core


[Modified by larryfs, 5:35 AM 10/18/2002]
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Old Oct 17, 2002 | 10:55 PM
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Default Re: Coolant supplement pills (Mez)

Not to show my ignorance, but does your 96 use Dex-Cool or "normal" green stuff. I know that the pills ARE NOT to be used with Dex-Cool.

The pills supposedly act as a conditioner and helps to seal/prevent SMALL leaks.
I change/flush my coolant every 2 years. I've used them in my previous 92 Z28, 95 Z28 and currently in my 78 Z28 and 85 Corvette with no problems at all.
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 01:37 AM
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Default Re: Coolant supplement pills (Ron78Z&85Vette)

Not to show my ignorance, but does your 96 use Dex-Cool or "normal" green stuff. I know that the pills ARE NOT to be used with Dex-Cool.
GM used the pills with dex-cool on the 96 impalas. apparently they did NOT do this on the 96 corvettes.
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 11:17 AM
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Default Re: Coolant supplement pills (larryfs)

in my 90 its green stuff in it...

that was what i´ve heard..the pills are supposed to plug the heater core..

and i don´t think, that if you have a leak they help much..

thanks
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Old Oct 18, 2002 | 01:00 PM
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Default Re: Coolant supplement pills (larryfs)

GM used the pills with dex-cool on the 96 impalas. apparently they did NOT do this on the 96 corvettes.
Which seems strange to me. I understood that the pills were to seal porosity in the aluminum head castings. I thought Impala's used iron heads, so if they really used them then either the aluminum porosity explanation is b.s. or I am really :confused: .
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