[Z06] Drain and refill radiator
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 388
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
Drain and refill radiator
Well just have to ask, what is the proper way to drain and refill the radiator? I am acccustom to having a "radiator cap" atop the radiator allowing me to refill. With the "overlow" tank providing the only way of adding coolant; if you drain the radiator can you simply replace by way of the overflow tank? Will it (ever so slowly) drain back into the radiator?
Or should you disonnect the upper hose an attempt to pour the new coolant in from there?
Kin'da miss the good old days ........
Or should you disonnect the upper hose an attempt to pour the new coolant in from there?
Kin'da miss the good old days ........
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 891
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Virginia
Just a matter of opening the drain valve at the bottom of the radiator. You fill the radiator through the expansion tank. The tank is higer than the radiator so it will flow into the radiator. There are many procedures on here because you have to cycle water, think you have to use distilled water, through the entire system a few times to get all of the old coolant out. This requires taking it up to operating temperature and allowing the thermostat to open. I'm sure others will chime in like a broken record on these types of forums..."use the search function."
Good luck
Good luck
Last edited by VCUFAN; Oct 12, 2010 at 10:43 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,946
Likes: 55
From: b.b. n.j.
I'm sure others will chime in like a broken record on these types of forums..."use the search function." Good luck
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Burbank CA
by opening the drain valve you will drain roughly 2 gallons of old coolant. If your cooling system is in decent shape and your just doing routine maintenance then fill it back up with a 50/50 mix of dexcool and distilled water and you're good to go. And yes, you will refilll from the expansion tank.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
There is a refill procedure to follow or you're more than likely to experience air pockets within the cooling system. That will cause erratic cooling.
For future reference, this is how you search for your own answers. Every technical question that's ever been asked is in the archives. Use the proper keywords (note that spelling needs to be correct) and you'll find those past threads.
In C5 Tech, use search or search this forum (in the red banner), with keywords "cooling system refill procedure". There are several past threads/tutorials on the procedure.
This is just one...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...n-coolant.html
For future reference, this is how you search for your own answers. Every technical question that's ever been asked is in the archives. Use the proper keywords (note that spelling needs to be correct) and you'll find those past threads.
In C5 Tech, use search or search this forum (in the red banner), with keywords "cooling system refill procedure". There are several past threads/tutorials on the procedure.
This is just one...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...n-coolant.html
Last edited by hotwheels57; Oct 13, 2010 at 12:23 PM.
