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

LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 04:04 PM
  #1  
Patrick96LT4's Avatar
Patrick96LT4
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,694
Likes: 1
From: Gurnee IL
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant?

The coolant is 7 years old, should I worry about it?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 04:12 PM
  #2  
froggy47's Avatar
froggy47
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
Likes: 196
From: Southern CA
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (Patrick96LT4)

I would. :flag
I did.


[Modified by froggy47, 3:13 PM 4/17/2003]
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 04:19 PM
  #3  
Goggles Pizano's Avatar
Goggles Pizano
Pro
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 723
Likes: 0
From: if you cant join them....... beat them
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (froggy47)

I would. :flag
I did.


[Modified by froggy47, 3:13 PM 4/17/2003]
:iagree: :auto:
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 04:52 PM
  #4  
vader86's Avatar
vader86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,155
Likes: 1,731
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (Patrick96LT4)

Yes, flush and refill
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 05:05 PM
  #5  
FoolCrzy's Avatar
FoolCrzy
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 1
From: Drive it Like You Hate it Cincinnati OH
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (Patrick96LT4)

Will you do mine too????

Reply
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 05:51 PM
  #6  
LT4Sam's Avatar
LT4Sam
Pro
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Redmond WA
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (FoolCrzy)

In case you haven't read it somewhere before, draining the coolant is best acheived throught the knock sensors. The petcock barely drains anything, get under there and find the knock sensors which are located on either side of the oil pan. They're covered by a metal guard that is held on by two 10mm nuts on the oil pan rail, remove the guards and then pop off the electrical connectors. The sensors themselves come off with a big socket, I think it was either 21mm or 3/4, I don't remember exactly. Get them loose with the wrench then get the bucket underneath and finish with your hands, the coolant will gush out fast. Make sure the bleed screw and cap are opened. Don't try to get away with just one sensor, equal amounts came out of both sides on mine.


Good luck,
Sam
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 09:15 PM
  #7  
Mez's Avatar
Mez
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (LT4Sam)

Anybody try using compressed air? I was thinking that if you put compressed air thru the heads, it would push coolant out of the block without messing with knock sensors. I was thinking about connecting a low pressure air hose to the small return line clamped to the passanger's side radiator tank. This line goes to the back of the heads on the LT1/LT4 reverse flow system.

Will this work?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 10:58 PM
  #8  
GlockLT4's Avatar
GlockLT4
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (Mez)

it's still best to drain through the knock sensors... you'll never get it all out otherwise.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 17, 2003 | 11:03 PM
  #9  
Alex D's Avatar
Alex D
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (Mez)

Good way to blow up your heater core!!!
Best is to remove the knock sensors, but you can also back flush the engine by removing the thermostat housing and holding a garden hose in there and flush unitl clear water comes out of the other side....the refill with two gallons anti freze concentrate and top off with water....that'll give you 50/50 mix
Anybody try using compressed air? I was thinking that if you put compressed air thru the heads, it would push coolant out of the block without messing with knock sensors. I was thinking about connecting a low pressure air hose to the small return line clamped to the passanger's side radiator tank. This line goes to the back of the heads on the LT1/LT4 reverse flow system.

Will this work?
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2003 | 12:13 AM
  #10  
mk2001c's Avatar
mk2001c
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (LT4Sam)

Agree with LT4 Sam. I used a 22mm deep socket to get the sensors off and to torque them back on.
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2003 | 07:12 PM
  #11  
Patrick96LT4's Avatar
Patrick96LT4
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,694
Likes: 1
From: Gurnee IL
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (mk2001c)

Thanks guys!! I had no idea! I'll replace it on Sunday.

:cool:
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2003 | 04:06 PM
  #12  
pwrful c4's Avatar
pwrful c4
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: royal palm beach florida
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (Patrick96LT4)

Prevented maintance is cheaper than maintance.I would also change the pressure cap. :steering:
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2003 | 09:45 PM
  #13  
SouthernSon's Avatar
SouthernSon
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,064
Likes: 1,166
From: N. Alabama
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (Patrick96LT4)

If you over torque the sensors, you will destroy them. Follow directions. Replace hoses and pour distilled water/dex cool into radiator opening (hose off) with bleed screw open to allow air bubbles to escape. Raising front of car is also helpful to send bubbles to front. Not hard to do at all. Just requires a plan. Replace hoses, too. Be sure to put silicone inside mouth of each new hose. Do Not Overtighten new hoses, just snug. (I'll bet you knew all of this, anyway) :)
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2003 | 09:53 PM
  #14  
vetteguy216's Avatar
vetteguy216
Pro
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Oswego Illinois
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (vader86)

I read in corvette fever that when you flush your coolant with water should you do it while the engine is runing. I am in the process of installing a superram base manifold only not the whole gig :cry I just finished removing the thermostat housing and coolant is all in the inside should I worry about this when I remove the intake or will it be ok and not leak out?
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2003 | 09:54 PM
  #15  
vetteguy216's Avatar
vetteguy216
Pro
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Oswego Illinois
Default Re: LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant? (vetteguy216)

Sorry about the hijacking :lol:
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To LT4 - Should I flush and replace coolant?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:00 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE