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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 02:23 PM
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Default Draining Coolant

Ok, I opened the nylon drain "plug" (what's up with this odd looking thing?)on the right hand, lower side of the radiator, it went one half turn and I got a gush of coolant for about 15 seconds and about a gallon and a half has come out so far. Now it is dripping steady. How long will it take to get it all out? Will it all drain? Book says it holds 12 quarts. Am I ok here? I don't recall anything about a air bleed valve. Car is sitting level and the engine is cold. Thanks.
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 02:52 PM
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you can pull it straight out after turning it a half turn. You did open the cap on the over fill tank, right ?
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 02:57 PM
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It's been about a hour now since I opened the drain,yes cap is off overflow tank, it has stopped dripping but I don't think I've gotten nearly enough out. The coolant looks normal, I don't plan on flushing it, just adding new. Again, am I ok here?
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Oldvetter
You did open the cap on the over fill tank, right ?


Fyi...I had my nylon cap wear out, get too loose and eventually shoot out of my radiator...I had to be towed for a $1.69part. For 2 bucks, i plan on replacing my nylon cap every couple of uses.


Chris
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 03:02 PM
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They should have kept it metal.
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 03:06 PM
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Thanks for the heads up Chris. This is it's first time. I haven't removed it, just turned it one half turn.
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 04:42 PM
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TTT please. I just refilled and it only took about 3 and one half quarts of mixed coolent. I was hoping to get more of it out. Thats not much for a change in a 12 qt. system. Is this normal?
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by JTAllen79
TTT please. I just refilled and it only took about 3 and one half quarts of mixed coolent. I was hoping to get more of it out. Thats not much for a change in a 12 qt. system. Is this normal?
Something does not sound right here. The radiator alone holds more than 3.5 quarts and the system is 13 qts. You may have to drop the lower hose to get the block to flush additional fluid. Maybe someone with a service manual can provide some insight.
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by JTAllen79
TTT please. I just refilled and it only took about 3 and one half quarts of mixed coolent. I was hoping to get more of it out. Thats not much for a change in a 12 qt. system. Is this normal?
The capacity of the entire cooling system (2000 year) is 12.6 qts. You will never drain it all through the radiator. I was able to get about 8.5 qts out from the radiator drain and after using a turkey baster to suck the excess coolant from the surge tank. The remaining coolant is in the engine. There are drain plugs on the block, but they are a *itch to get to.
Make sure use Dex-Cool mixed 50/50 with distilled water.
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Old Jan 18, 2006 | 08:22 PM
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Check this thread out. You'll see some posts from me and other's that explain the proper way to flush the system. You can't just drain the system. If you do you will not be replacing all of the fluid. Check it out.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1208424
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Old Jan 20, 2006 | 07:32 PM
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I drained over 10 quarts out of mine. I did lower it down off the jack to do this. Was your's level when you drained it OR did you keep it up on the jack?

BTW, the shop manual says you do NOT have to flush if coolant is not dirty. I did not flush mine.
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