I was hoping to drain and fill my coolant this weekend since the car is now five years old. I searched under "coolant" and "dex-cool" but didn't find anything in the forum. Could anyone give me some tips or special things to look out for?

I bought Havoline's "Extended Life Antifreeze Coolant" that is "GM Approved Dex-cool". I believe I'm supposed to mix this 50/50 with distilled water right? How many gallons does the LS1 take?

I'm not flushing the system, just a simple drain and refill.

Thanks for any help!!

 

How many miles do you have? Is it the pink stuff? I'm curious because some weasle (GM service writer) told me the pink isn't supposed to be changed for 150K miles? I thought he was batty, but never found out for sure.

***EDIT*** Found this ... hope it helps

http://134.39.200.6:9001/servlets/SM...SCT=Engineelps.

 

Draining and Filling Cooling System

Caution

With a pressurized cooling system, the coolant temperature in the radiator can be considerably higher than the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure. Removal of the surge tank cap, while the cooling system is hot and under high pressure, causes the solution to boil instantaneously with explosive force. This will cause the solution to spew out over the engine, the fenders, and the person removing the cap. Serious bodily injury may result.



Important
If the procedure below is not followed a low or high coolant level condition and/or vehicle damage could result.


1) Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2) Remove the surge tank cap:
3)Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
4) Place a drain pan under the drain fowl.
5) Open the radiator drain fowl.
6) Allow the cooling system to drain completely.
7) Inspect the engine coolant for the following:
Discolored -- follow the flush procedure below.
Normal in appearance -- continue with the next step.

Notice
When adding coolant, use DEX-COOL® coolant. If silicated coolant is added to the system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine coolant will require change sooner-at 50 000 km (30,000 mi) or 24 months.



Notice
Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.


8) Close the radiator drain fowl. Tighten.
Tighten the radiator drain fowl to 2 N·m (18 lb in).

9) Fill the cooling system through the surge tank.
10) Fill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL® coolant and deionized water.
11) Start the engine.
12) Allow the engine to idle for 1 minute.
13) Install surge tank cap.
14) Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant temperature reaches 99°C (210°F).
15)Shut off the engine.
16) Remove the surge tank cap.
17) Start the engine.
18) Allow the engine to Idle for 1 minute. Fill the surge tank to 12.7 mm (0.5 in) above the COLD FULL mark on the surge tank.
19) Install the surge tank cap.
20) Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
21) Shut off the engine.
22) Remove the surge tank cap.
23) Top off the coolant as necessary, 12.7 mm (0.5 in) above FULL COLD mark on the surge tank.
24) Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the engine compartment.
25) Inspect the concentration of the engine coolant.
26) Install the surge tank cap.

 

Thanks ED ! Your a wonderful human being , and a credit to your parents..

 

Bill, if we had more people like you AND Ed in this world ... well ... let's just say, if we weren't being helpful to each other, we'd be slapping each other. Of course either would be for the greater good! You're both awesome individuals.

 

It seems to be pretty straight forward.
Thank you!

 

Patches, Could you add the flush procedure mentioned above. I think I might need it. Thanks, Doug

 

Dave:
As you probably know, I am more of the slapper, Ed is more of the Helper.. we are like the Good Cop Bad Cop... Guess who's the bad Cop
Thanks for the Compliment, but I could not carry Ed's tool Box.
I am Not worthy...
But then he could not carry my pitch fork, he has tried , but failed miserably.

 

Thanks again for the info Patches.

 

Bill has forgotten more than I will ever know. Such humility but I am not worthy to even hand him tools.


Flushing

Important
Do not use a chemical flush.

Store used coolant in the proper manner, such as in a used engine coolant holding tank. Do not pour used coolant down a drain. Ethylene glycol antifreeze is a very toxic chemical. Do not dispose of coolant into the sewer system or ground water. This is illegal and ecologically unsound.

Various methods and equipment can be used to flush the cooling system. If special equipment is used, such as a back flusher, follow the manufacturer's instruction. However, always remove the thermostat before back flushing the system.


Block the drive wheels.
Place the transmission in park (P) or neutral (N).
Engage the park brake.
Run the engine until the thermostat opens.
Stop the engine.
Follow the drain and fill procedure using only clean drinkable water. Repeat the procedure if necessary, until the fluid is nearly colorless. Refer to Draining and Filling Cooling System .
Fill the coolant reservoir to the FULL HOT mark.
Fill the cooling system. Refer to Draining and Filling Cooling System .

 

For all those wondering.... Dave , Ed and I are Gay.

 

Ah, hah!! The secret's out!!!

 

Uh Dave, Ed. Say something please.

 

You think this screen name is just a coincidence

 

Now wait just a minute Bro. You are talking about another Dave. Tell 'em, go on and tell 'em.

 

I really thought all Dave's were gay. What are you trying to say DAVS Y2K.. ??

OK lets stop before the Homophobics jump in... I know I'm secure in my masculinity..
The End

 

Hmm . . . I knew the anonymous roses last week were no coincidence.

 

Patches Question when you drain as indicated in your post how much of the old solution will drain ?

Jerry

 

Jerry - not nearly as much as you would hope. I usually get what appears to be a little over half of the capacity. Probably the best way to change the fluid is to have a pro use a coolant system pump station to flush and refill the system.

 

What is deionzized water ? Where to you get it ? Save the Wave. Thanks.>George