Coolant change
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 793
From: Longview Texas
No special procedure.
Just open the drain in the lower right corner (passenger side) of the radiator. Note: It is only 1/4 turn to unlock, and then it pulls straight out. There is a metal pin you need to line up with the slot in the radiator housing.
You should be able to drain about 8 quarts out of the 12 quart capacity without draining the block.
Then just refill the over flow tank with a 50/50 mix of Dexcool. Start the engine and bring the level at least to the full mark. Drive the car until up to operating temperature.
Let the car cool overnight. Then bring the tank level up to the Full Cold mark on the reservoir.
You can go to the trouble to flush the block with clean water, but I usually change my coolant every 2-3 years instead of the 5 years GM says Dexcool will last, so I just replace what will drain from the radiator drain plug.
I have a 2004 Z06 and I just changed my coolant the second time a few weeks ago.
Just open the drain in the lower right corner (passenger side) of the radiator. Note: It is only 1/4 turn to unlock, and then it pulls straight out. There is a metal pin you need to line up with the slot in the radiator housing.
You should be able to drain about 8 quarts out of the 12 quart capacity without draining the block.
Then just refill the over flow tank with a 50/50 mix of Dexcool. Start the engine and bring the level at least to the full mark. Drive the car until up to operating temperature.
Let the car cool overnight. Then bring the tank level up to the Full Cold mark on the reservoir.
You can go to the trouble to flush the block with clean water, but I usually change my coolant every 2-3 years instead of the 5 years GM says Dexcool will last, so I just replace what will drain from the radiator drain plug.
I have a 2004 Z06 and I just changed my coolant the second time a few weeks ago.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Mar 30, 2009 at 07:27 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 65
From: Rochester Hills MI
from this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-radiator.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-radiator.html
According to the service manual:
1. Fill the system through the surge tank opening.
2. Fill half the capacity of the system with 100 percent DEX-COOL® coolant.
3. Slowly add clean drinkable water to the system until the level reaches to the base of the neck.
4. Start the engine.
5. Idle engine for 1 minute.
6. Install surge tank cap.
7. Cycle the RPM, idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
9.Shut off the engine.
10. Refer to step 3 above to remove the surge tank cap.
11. Start the engine.
12. Idle engine for 1 minute and fill surge tank to 1/2 inch above COLD FULL mark on the radiator surge tank.
13. Install the surge tank cap.
14. Cycle the RPM, idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
15. Shut off the engine.
16. Top off coolant as necessary, 1/2 inch above FULL COLD mark on the radiator surge tank.
17. Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the compartment.
18. Inspect the concentration of the coolant.
1. Fill the system through the surge tank opening.
2. Fill half the capacity of the system with 100 percent DEX-COOL® coolant.
3. Slowly add clean drinkable water to the system until the level reaches to the base of the neck.
4. Start the engine.
5. Idle engine for 1 minute.
6. Install surge tank cap.
7. Cycle the RPM, idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
9.Shut off the engine.
10. Refer to step 3 above to remove the surge tank cap.
11. Start the engine.
12. Idle engine for 1 minute and fill surge tank to 1/2 inch above COLD FULL mark on the radiator surge tank.
13. Install the surge tank cap.
14. Cycle the RPM, idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
15. Shut off the engine.
16. Top off coolant as necessary, 1/2 inch above FULL COLD mark on the radiator surge tank.
17. Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the compartment.
18. Inspect the concentration of the coolant.
