Should I change coolant?

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Mar 30, 2007 | 08:27 PM

sgmcneil

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Joined: Nov 2001

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From: middletown in

Should I change coolant?

I have an 02 zo6 with 16,400 miles on it. Will be 5 yrs old in june. Do I need to change coolant?

Mar 30, 2007 | 11:07 PM

TEXHAWK0

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 8,847

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From: Longview Texas

Although Dexcool is supposed to be good for 5 years, I never let mine go more than 2 or 3 years.
Especially if you are not going to completely drain and/or flush the system. I usually just drain what I can (about 8 quarts) and refill with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water instead of flushing all the coolant out of the block.

Mar 31, 2007 | 01:44 AM

ALLEGRO

Le Mans Master

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 6,683

Likes: 144

From: Memphis Tennessee

Obviously it could not hurt.

.....but.....if it looks very clean and doesn't have any "floaters" in it I would not change it. You are very low-mileage and the fluid is supposed to last 150K.

Bottom line: YOUR CALL

Mar 31, 2007 | 02:12 AM

MNCorvette

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 167

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change it.

it is so easy and should only cost a few dollars to do it. just change it.

Mar 31, 2007 | 04:44 AM

don.donc

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2007

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MNCorvette

it is so easy and should only cost a few dollars to do it. just change it.

Mar 31, 2007 | 07:57 AM

DRR

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2004

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Change ALL of it now. The coolant get acidic as it gets older. This will damage the seal and bearings on the pump. It is cheaper and eaiser to replace the coolant than it is to replace the water pump. Use distilled water and NOT tap water to FLUSH the system first. Then refill with 50/50 distilled/coolant mix. Cheap water pump insurance.

Mar 31, 2007 | 08:26 AM

NJ Vette Guy

Burning Brakes

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 899

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From: Ex BX... Ex NJ... Hello CT!!! CT

I'm in the same boat......

Only, mine is a 2000 with about 18K miles on it.

So, let's say I go the flush route.... Do I use Dexcool, or is there something better to use?

Mar 31, 2007 | 08:35 AM

zozmanZ06

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 193

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From: Peru IL

Yep!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgmcneil

I have an 02 zo6 with 16,400 miles on it. Will be 5 yrs old in june. Do I need to change coolant?

I have an 02 Z06 with 11,889 miles on it. Yes, both of us need to change the antifreeze. I'm using Prestone Extend.

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Mar 31, 2007 | 08:37 AM

IFLUBYU

Drifting

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 1,715

Likes: 1

From: cAshburn VA

Drain what you can, fill with water, run engine, drain again.

fill with 1 jug of dexcool and distilled water, shaken, not stirred.

Good to go for another 5 years!