Coolant Change Woes
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 2
From: Greenville SC
St. Jude Donor '10
Coolant Change Woes
I am going to put a set of braided hoses on my coupe and after reading the service manual and doing numerous searches on this forum I am a bit concerned about replacing the coolant. Am I going to have to do the whole rev the car up - let it cool down - add coolant and repeat as necessary thing as if I flushed the whole system? The coolant has maybe 5k miles on it.
I am also concerned about getting air in the system (now that I have read all the coolant posts).
Also, is there any reason I can't just use the 50/50 dex-cool?
Hope someone can put my concerns to rest. Thanks
I am also concerned about getting air in the system (now that I have read all the coolant posts).
Also, is there any reason I can't just use the 50/50 dex-cool?
Hope someone can put my concerns to rest. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
If you want to be safe, just use the 50/50 dexcool and swap the hoses.
Don't worry about air bubbles, just start the car up and let it run for a minute til the T-stat opens(ish) then top off and all air bubbles should be gone.
Good luck!
DZ
Don't worry about air bubbles, just start the car up and let it run for a minute til the T-stat opens(ish) then top off and all air bubbles should be gone.
Good luck!
DZ
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
I am going to put a set of braided hoses on my coupe and after reading the service manual and doing numerous searches on this forum I am a bit concerned about replacing the coolant. Am I going to have to do the whole rev the car up - let it cool down - add coolant and repeat as necessary thing as if I flushed the whole system? The coolant has maybe 5k miles on it.
I am also concerned about getting air in the system (now that I have read all the coolant posts).
Also, is there any reason I can't just use the 50/50 dex-cool?
Hope someone can put my concerns to rest. Thanks
I am also concerned about getting air in the system (now that I have read all the coolant posts).
Also, is there any reason I can't just use the 50/50 dex-cool?
Hope someone can put my concerns to rest. Thanks
Use your manual and go for it
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,398
Likes: 1,139
From: Dyer, IN
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 7
From: LaPine Oregon
Humor
I read your comments and was taken back. You obviously forgot to say 'joke'. 
We forget that tones and inflections can not always be abstracted from the written word , thus the posters actual meaning or thought is misconstrued.
Been in the auto business , seems like forever and this particular forum has surpisingly good advice a large % of the time. And then you can not argue advice of going to the service manuals for accurate information.
We forget that tones and inflections can not always be abstracted from the written word , thus the posters actual meaning or thought is misconstrued.Been in the auto business , seems like forever and this particular forum has surpisingly good advice a large % of the time. And then you can not argue advice of going to the service manuals for accurate information.
Last edited by dieseldave56; Jan 7, 2009 at 03:34 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
I have done coolant many times. I found that raising the front of the car results in no air pockets.
I mix my own 50/50 so I can control the water suppy. The biggest issue I have had is removing the two hoses on the side of the water pump. They make a mess and dump right onto the A/C compressor and belt. I found that I can make a channel out of aluminum foil a few layers thick placing one end under the passenger side of the pump and the hoses and direct the coolant that comes out over the front of the aluminum saddle and then into a large tub (another reason for raising the car is you can get a good catch basin under it).
I mix my own 50/50 so I can control the water suppy. The biggest issue I have had is removing the two hoses on the side of the water pump. They make a mess and dump right onto the A/C compressor and belt. I found that I can make a channel out of aluminum foil a few layers thick placing one end under the passenger side of the pump and the hoses and direct the coolant that comes out over the front of the aluminum saddle and then into a large tub (another reason for raising the car is you can get a good catch basin under it).
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
[QUOTE=vettenuts;1568460252]I have done coolant many times. I found that raising the front of the car results in no air pockets.
I mix my own 50/50 so I can control the water suppy.[/QUOTE
Using only distilled or de-ionized water in the 50/50 mix is also my own personal preference.
I addition to raising the front end, I've found that leaving the surge tank cap LOOSE helps to dispel any trapped air during the initial warmup
and burping process described in the shop manual.
I mix my own 50/50 so I can control the water suppy.[/QUOTE
Using only distilled or de-ionized water in the 50/50 mix is also my own personal preference.
I addition to raising the front end, I've found that leaving the surge tank cap LOOSE helps to dispel any trapped air during the initial warmup
and burping process described in the shop manual.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 2
From: Greenville SC
St. Jude Donor '10
I found that I can make a channel out of aluminum foil a few layers thick placing one end under the passenger side of the pump and the hoses and direct the coolant that comes out over the front of the aluminum saddle and then into a large tub (another reason for raising the car is you can get a good catch basin under it).
I guess I'll just follow my manual like a good boy, should be good experience.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
As mentioned earlier, change the coolant, fill to the full line, start car and allow t-stat to be open, rev up 2K rpm's a few times. Then shut off car, allow to "burp" and then refill to full line.
It might take a day or so to get ALL the air out, but you will be very close the first time.
Good Luck with the coolant and hose change.
It might take a day or so to get ALL the air out, but you will be very close the first time.
Good Luck with the coolant and hose change.
Last edited by ALLEGRO; Jan 7, 2009 at 08:09 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Bill
