dexcool coolant change??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: NY
dexcool coolant change??
finally got the vette out this weekend,its been in the garage since christmas.i looked at the coolant tank and the dexcool looks red but i think it prob should be changed this spring.is this a hard thing to do?should i take it to the dealer?i do all my own oil and filter changes.my rig is an 02,C5,A4,LS1,2.73,with 16k mi.
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,687
Likes: 212
From: Mo.
finally got the vette out this weekend,its been in the garage since christmas.i looked at the coolant tank and the dexcool looks red but i think it prob should be changed this spring.is this a hard thing to do?should i take it to the dealer?i do all my own oil and filter changes.my rig is an 02,C5,A4,LS1,2.73,with 16k mi.
thanks in advance
thanks in advance
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 408
From: Horseshoe Bend ID
It's easy enough to do. Make sure to use real DEXCOOL and ionized water (not clorinated tap water). If you put it on ramps, you won't get it all to drain. Be VERY careful when removing the petcock. It is 1/4 turn then PULL. These are a POS and notorious for the "pin" shearing off. Some have a square drive and others have little wings.
Cheers
Cheers
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 891
Likes: 0
From: Richmond Virginia
Yeah, it's pretty simple but have to repeat steps a few times to get all/ most coolant out of system. There are some good write ups and may be a good idea to get a spare drain plug just in case. They're pretty cheap at auto parts store.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 30,045
Likes: 4
From: Danville Virginia
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: NY
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,664
Likes: 15
From: Wellsboro Pa
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
Coolant is the only fluid I dont do myself. I cant find a place local that will take the old fluid. Parts stores like autozone etc will take all versions of oil but coolant they all said that they cant take it. Since FL frowns on pouring it down the storm drain, it is just easier to take it to the dealer. A little more expensive but at least they know how to do it. (so far so good anyway)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,995
Likes: 61
From: Fort Wayne IN
Just did mine... I've been changing my DexCool every 2 years. I've seen what this so called extended antifreeze can look like after 5 years - pretty lumpy to say the least. I just pull the lower hose at the radiator, reattach after draining then run a couple of gallons of distilled water through, drain again, reattach the hose and do a final fill w/ 50% dexcool and 50% distilled water. Make sure the heater is on the hot setting and let the car run so the thermostat opens completely when flushing the system. This method get the vast majority out. Old stuff did not look too bad - just sort of a dirty pink color.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,132
Likes: 24,733
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Good info. If you just don't want to do it yourself, it shouldn't cost much at a dealership. I think mine was less than $50 when I had my dealer do it for me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 1,056
From: Chester County Pennsylvania
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Did mine last year in my driveway, just caught the old coolant and then brought it to a recycler. No big deal it was very easy, the radiator petcock can be damaged easily so be careful.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 33
From: GRAYSLAKE IL
Oldtimer
St. Jude Donor '13
I have a dealer or Vette shop do it for me. I schd it every 2 yrs.,. mine is a ' 99 FRC & still have the orginal water pump...If you do it yourself make sure you "burp" the baby! Ha, ha. Good luck!
