mixing coolent
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 621
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From: Stillwater Minnesota
mixing coolent
I went to store my C5 Vette for the winter out in SD. The location it's at has a tendency to get to around 20F below Zero from time to time.
So I checked the coolant to realize it was only mixed for 20F above! I've changed coolant in several trucks and my Z28 camaro. Those all had a radiator cap though and I could tell that the thermostat had opened.
I had lots of troubles changing this car though and just wondered if I got the job done or not. I couldn't find the drain plug on the radiator. So I used a spyphin to remove all the coolant from the overflow tank. Then I poured a pure jug of dex-cool coolant into the overflow tank. I ran the car at temp for about 5 minutes after the coolant fans kicked in and the return line at driver side, top of radiator got hot.
Then I checked it again. It was at about 0F so I repeated the procedure. Then I had it down to -34F. I also ran the heater at full blast while this was being done. Does this sound about right for mixing coolant in these vettes? Thanks.
So I checked the coolant to realize it was only mixed for 20F above! I've changed coolant in several trucks and my Z28 camaro. Those all had a radiator cap though and I could tell that the thermostat had opened.
I had lots of troubles changing this car though and just wondered if I got the job done or not. I couldn't find the drain plug on the radiator. So I used a spyphin to remove all the coolant from the overflow tank. Then I poured a pure jug of dex-cool coolant into the overflow tank. I ran the car at temp for about 5 minutes after the coolant fans kicked in and the return line at driver side, top of radiator got hot.
Then I checked it again. It was at about 0F so I repeated the procedure. Then I had it down to -34F. I also ran the heater at full blast while this was being done. Does this sound about right for mixing coolant in these vettes? Thanks.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
There's a ratio of coolant to water that should be followed per the manufacturers recommendations. The drain plug on a C5/Z06 oem radiator is on the backside. It's a white plastic square drive plug that is 1/4". It only takes a quarter turn as I recall to loosen and drain. Be patient, it's draining through a small orifice.
Unless you store you car outside during the winter, chances are the inside temperatures of your storage facility/garage will never get to -20F...so, you might be worried for nothing. The oem DEXCOOL coolant is good for many miles, btw (100,000?).
Better yet, have a large container ready and just pull the bottom hose loose. That'll get the majority of the old coolant out in a rush, taking any sediment with it. The LSx motors don't have the same type of block plugs that previous sbc motors had, so you can't get it all out w/o a machine flush from a dealer or independent shop that has the machine.
Unless you store you car outside during the winter, chances are the inside temperatures of your storage facility/garage will never get to -20F...so, you might be worried for nothing. The oem DEXCOOL coolant is good for many miles, btw (100,000?).
Better yet, have a large container ready and just pull the bottom hose loose. That'll get the majority of the old coolant out in a rush, taking any sediment with it. The LSx motors don't have the same type of block plugs that previous sbc motors had, so you can't get it all out w/o a machine flush from a dealer or independent shop that has the machine.
