Radiator Drain Questions
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Joined: Sep 2013
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Radiator Drain Questions
Have you had problems with the petcock breaking when opening or closing the valve? It appears to be plastic.
How important is it to get the anti-freeze to the proper mix ratio (50-50 or 70-30)? Living in an area that never freezes, on my other cars I just drain the old anti freeze through the petcock and then refill using the jug of anti-freeze and then just add water until its full. I never measured to make sure I got the right ratio.
How important is it to get the anti-freeze to the proper mix ratio (50-50 or 70-30)? Living in an area that never freezes, on my other cars I just drain the old anti freeze through the petcock and then refill using the jug of anti-freeze and then just add water until its full. I never measured to make sure I got the right ratio.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Marana, Arizona
I flushed mine last January. No problem with the plastic drain ****. Just be careful to turn it 1/4 turn with a screw driver to open and close. Some recommend pulling a lower hose instead - quicker drain. I think 50/50 mixture is very important. It's not only to prevent freezing, but over heating - my issue in Southern Arizona. I used distilled water to flush the old and clean everything out, then used those containers to mix the new.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
A 50-50 mix of anti-freeze and water is supposed to provide the best protection against cold temps for most of the country. A 50/50 mix is good to -37 below zero. The equal mix is also supposed to provide excellent corrosion protection too. A 60-40 mix may work but going too high a percentage may actually not work well in the cooling system.
You will find that it's cheaper to buy a gallon of the concentrate than a pre-mixed gallon. A gallon of distilled water runs about a buck at any grocery store.
When doing a flush and fill, you can easily mix the Dex concentrate together with distilled water before filling the system. Just have an empty coolant jug or even a gallon milk jug (rinsed very well!!) available. Fill it halfway full of coolant and fill the rest with the water.
When I did a flush on my '02 last year, I used the petcock to drain the system and I also removed the expansion tank to completely empty it, clean it and paint the top of the tank. I also had the rear of the car about 3" higher than the front and that helped to remove a little more coolant.
You will find that it's cheaper to buy a gallon of the concentrate than a pre-mixed gallon. A gallon of distilled water runs about a buck at any grocery store.
When doing a flush and fill, you can easily mix the Dex concentrate together with distilled water before filling the system. Just have an empty coolant jug or even a gallon milk jug (rinsed very well!!) available. Fill it halfway full of coolant and fill the rest with the water.
When I did a flush on my '02 last year, I used the petcock to drain the system and I also removed the expansion tank to completely empty it, clean it and paint the top of the tank. I also had the rear of the car about 3" higher than the front and that helped to remove a little more coolant.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 444
Likes: 56
From: DeBary Florida
Have you had problems with the petcock breaking when opening or closing the valve? It appears to be plastic.
How important is it to get the anti-freeze to the proper mix ratio (50-50 or 70-30)? Living in an area that never freezes, on my other cars I just drain the old anti freeze through the petcock and then refill using the jug of anti-freeze and then just add water until its full. I never measured to make sure I got the right ratio.
How important is it to get the anti-freeze to the proper mix ratio (50-50 or 70-30)? Living in an area that never freezes, on my other cars I just drain the old anti freeze through the petcock and then refill using the jug of anti-freeze and then just add water until its full. I never measured to make sure I got the right ratio.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...cedure-c5.html
Last edited by Ron222; Sep 26, 2013 at 10:52 PM. Reason: add link
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If you would have put an ethylene glycol (green) antifreeze in the car and didn't completely flush out the OEM Dexcool, the two coolants would have created a sludge and caused some real cooling problems.
Dexcool has been factory fill in Corvettes since 1994. Personally, I'm not a fan of those coolants that are supposed to work in any car. Use DExcool and change it every 3-4 years.
Dexcool has been factory fill in Corvettes since 1994. Personally, I'm not a fan of those coolants that are supposed to work in any car. Use DExcool and change it every 3-4 years.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 444
Likes: 56
From: DeBary Florida
Hey RHW,
Glad I could help and like C4 says every 3 -4 years is a good plan, that's what I do. Also when doing it you might want to consider putting in a couple 12oz bottles of Water Wetter by Redline
http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=10
I use it myself and I know a lot of folks on the forum use it as well.
By the way I located the replacement part number for the aftermarket Drain Plug should you break yours. It's made by Doorman part number 6133 and available at Advance Auto, $5.00. Check it out here's the link....
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...zoneAssigned=1
Glad I could help and like C4 says every 3 -4 years is a good plan, that's what I do. Also when doing it you might want to consider putting in a couple 12oz bottles of Water Wetter by Redline
http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=10
I use it myself and I know a lot of folks on the forum use it as well.
By the way I located the replacement part number for the aftermarket Drain Plug should you break yours. It's made by Doorman part number 6133 and available at Advance Auto, $5.00. Check it out here's the link....
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...zoneAssigned=1
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 15,765
Likes: 3,283
From: Phoenix area, AZ
The entire cooling system had to be replaced and the top end of the engine had to be taken apart, cleaned, and had new gaskets installed after the corrosive mix ate through them.
So, just a little trouble...
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Joined: Sep 2013
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Again, I can't say thanks enough!
Due to some health issues I've had the car stored for a time. I finally have been able to get it out and thought rather than head straight out to the road, I'd better do some maintenance.
I thought changing the coolant was a no brainer, boy was I wrong!
Thanks again!
Due to some health issues I've had the car stored for a time. I finally have been able to get it out and thought rather than head straight out to the road, I'd better do some maintenance.
I thought changing the coolant was a no brainer, boy was I wrong!
Thanks again!