Cooling system question
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From: Springdale AR
Cooling system question
I have an 2004 stock C-5 with 28k on it. I plan to change the Dex-cool this spring. How often should the radiator hoses and thermostat be changed? I have had no trouble with any of the system, I just want to do some PM.
Thanks for your suggestions,
dchev
Thanks for your suggestions,
dchev
Last edited by dchev; Mar 19, 2010 at 02:28 PM. Reason: typo error
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
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Melting Slicks
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If the coolant looks clean and clear, you only need to drain and refill with 50/50 Dexcool and distilled water.
If the coolant looks to be contaminated, dirty, murky, etc. then you will need to flush your system completely and refill with 50/50 Dexcool and distilled water.
That's it. There is no required preventive maintenance on the thermostat or hoses unless you are noticing brittleness or cracking. Since you have 2004, I would't worry too much about your hoses. I wouln't worry about your thermostat either. It will give warning signs if it starts to act up.
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From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
According to the GM service manual:
If the coolant looks clean and clear, you only need to drain and refill with 50/50 Dexcool and distilled water.
If the coolant looks to be contaminated, dirty, murky, etc. then you will need to flush your system completely and refill with 50/50 Dexcool and distilled water.
That's it. There is no required preventive maintenance on the thermostat or hoses unless you are noticing brittleness or cracking. Since you have 2004, I would't worry too much about your hoses. I wouln't worry about your thermostat either. It will give warning signs if it starts to act up.
If the coolant looks clean and clear, you only need to drain and refill with 50/50 Dexcool and distilled water.
If the coolant looks to be contaminated, dirty, murky, etc. then you will need to flush your system completely and refill with 50/50 Dexcool and distilled water.
That's it. There is no required preventive maintenance on the thermostat or hoses unless you are noticing brittleness or cracking. Since you have 2004, I would't worry too much about your hoses. I wouln't worry about your thermostat either. It will give warning signs if it starts to act up.
A simple coolant change should be all it needs for now.
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Even though Dexcool is supposed to last for 5 years, I never let antifreeze go over 2 or 3 years. Since I change a little early, I generally just drain what I can, and refill with 50/50 mix, and mine has always come out clean.
I would not mess with the thermostat unless you have a problem.
I also like to change the antifreeze while the engine is cold, so I don't worry about hot antifreeze, and I do not leave a hot engine without coolant in the water pump and thermostat. It should not matter, but I have had cars where I was not having a thermostat or water pump problem, and I left the coolant out long enough for the thermostat to dry out, and it ended up sticking, not to mention developing a pump leak.
I generally think about changing the main hoses after 5 or 6 years, but I have had cars where the smaller hoses lasted twice that long. I also have a 2004, and it still has the original hoses, but I have changed the coolant twice. (got the car in 2003)
I would not mess with the thermostat unless you have a problem.
I also like to change the antifreeze while the engine is cold, so I don't worry about hot antifreeze, and I do not leave a hot engine without coolant in the water pump and thermostat. It should not matter, but I have had cars where I was not having a thermostat or water pump problem, and I left the coolant out long enough for the thermostat to dry out, and it ended up sticking, not to mention developing a pump leak.
I generally think about changing the main hoses after 5 or 6 years, but I have had cars where the smaller hoses lasted twice that long. I also have a 2004, and it still has the original hoses, but I have changed the coolant twice. (got the car in 2003)
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Mar 20, 2010 at 02:02 PM.
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I have been changing the DexCool in my cars at the 5 year mark. Have been doing this since my 97 reached the 5 year mark. No problem on any of them. The old coolant looked like it was brand new when I took it out. When I do the change I use drinkable water which is what the owner's manual and several versions of the service manual recommend. Just make sure all of the old coolant is out of the engine. The only way to do that is to drain, refill with water run the engine till the thermostat opens and drain again and repeat until the drained coolant is clear water. Once that is done add the proper amount of full strength Dex and top off with water. 50/50 Dex shouldn't be used on the refill as there is at least two quarts of water in the block and it will dilute the mix. Not a big issue if you live where it doesn't get very cold but if your car is stored in a non heated garage in certain northern climes the coolant could freeze just because of that small error.
Bill
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I do hoses on a 5 year schedule whether they look like they need it or not. I too have seen them go much longer than that. But it's a cheap and easily replaced part, and if they pop they can leave you stranded.
I bought my '02 in '08 and one of the first things I did was to replace the belts and hoses. They all looked fine inside and out with no rot or cracking, but now I have that piece of mind for 5 more years.
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From: Dyer, IN
I used to be on that schedule when I lived in Tucson. The extreme dry temps out there really does a number on rubber. Same with air filter in the desert southwest.........change frequency doubles.