03 dexcool was never changed-advice
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
03 dexcool was never changed-advice
Looking to buy a 03 that has always been in florida. However just found out the coolant has never been changed. Car has 27k miles. Should this be considered a deal breaker( even if test strips show coolant is still acceptable). A recent Chevy dealer inspection report Checked coolant as may require attention soon. (not requires immediate attention? Please any advice appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,334
Likes: 1,589
From: Western NY
Is this a private sale, or from a dealer?
I suppose in either case, it's possible to have a dealer or qualified shop change the coolant, and make sure it's OK after that, as a term of the deal...
I suppose in either case, it's possible to have a dealer or qualified shop change the coolant, and make sure it's OK after that, as a term of the deal...
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 61
Looking to buy a 03 that has always been in florida. However just found out the coolant has never been changed. Car has 27k miles. Should this be considered a deal breaker( even if test strips show coolant is still acceptable). A recent Chevy dealer inspection report Checked coolant as may require attention soon. (not requires immediate attention? Please any advice appreciated.
Last edited by 455230; May 25, 2014 at 06:46 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,334
Likes: 1,589
From: Western NY
Because the OP is probably concerned that there might be some long term damage done by not flushing out the old coolant at the recommended interval....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 11
From: las vegas nv.
The GM service manual says this--drain radiator--if coolant looks orange/red and clean--just drain radiator-no need to flush--fellow corvette club member--01 z with 4,000 miles--coollant looked new--drained radiator after 13 years--refilled rad with 7 qts dexcool 50/50mix--runs great and passes coolant strip test with 7.5 ph level--DONT walk--just check the dex-cool for color-
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 61
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 11
From: las vegas nv.
Test strips don't lie--just look at the color--either by draining some or take a sample out of expansion tank--if bright orange looking like new---just drain radiator and refill with dexcool and distilled water--around 8 quarts total-add-1 gal dexcool and 1 gallon water--drive on!
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
Look at the color of the coolant in the surge tank. If it is still red/orange then I would NOT consider it a deal breaker.
If is is a muddy brown then walk away rapidly.
If you do purchase the car I would NOT waste any time getting the coolant exchanged. Dealers and other service shops usually have a machine that can push out all the old and replace with new. Cost will be somewhere in the $129 at private shops and probably more at the stealership. Factor that into the cost of the deal.
Also check the tires. If the manufacture date is over about 7 or 8 years, plan on a fresh set of tires real soon. Tires over that are just not safe for highway speed no matter how good the appearance. Here's how to check the tire dates:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11
On some of the tires the manufacture date brand may be on the tire face that points under the car. It is only on one face of the tire.
If is is a muddy brown then walk away rapidly.
If you do purchase the car I would NOT waste any time getting the coolant exchanged. Dealers and other service shops usually have a machine that can push out all the old and replace with new. Cost will be somewhere in the $129 at private shops and probably more at the stealership. Factor that into the cost of the deal.
Also check the tires. If the manufacture date is over about 7 or 8 years, plan on a fresh set of tires real soon. Tires over that are just not safe for highway speed no matter how good the appearance. Here's how to check the tire dates:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11
On some of the tires the manufacture date brand may be on the tire face that points under the car. It is only on one face of the tire.
All good advice.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
with 27k I don't see the problem. Most don't change for longer than that. I have 100k on mine maybe changed 2 or 3x if that. Now I have a blower on it and beat the **** out of it...no issues...yet....think you are being a little **** IMO..
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 30
Likes: 1
yeah ok obviously not about the mileage just 11+years on same coolant when chevy reccomends a change time interval of every 5 years....
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 12,413
Likes: 502
From: Rio Rancho NM
People still change there oil ecery 3k and thats a waste now but I'm just saying I would not be so concerned with it and I have high mileage and so maybe I have change mine every 30k..Not saying its right but I highly doubt anything is wrong with the cooling system. I think people overthing stuff around here Ill stay out now
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
worst case you need a new radiator, water pump, hoses, tank etc
stuff that really should be changed on an 11yr old car anyway
with mileage that low i would really suspect you could just drain it, fill with distilled water, drive for a weekend, drain it, then add a new batch of dexcool and distilled & be good. even if it's a little muddy the most you'll need is a pump and radiator, biggest risk is if the car was overheated which is easy enough to check for. let it idle in the 3pm sun for 30 minutes and see how hot it gets
whenever i switch out old coolant i try and run pure distilled for a day or two to flush new liquid into the engine and get out what didn't come out when i drained the old
stuff that really should be changed on an 11yr old car anyway
with mileage that low i would really suspect you could just drain it, fill with distilled water, drive for a weekend, drain it, then add a new batch of dexcool and distilled & be good. even if it's a little muddy the most you'll need is a pump and radiator, biggest risk is if the car was overheated which is easy enough to check for. let it idle in the 3pm sun for 30 minutes and see how hot it gets
whenever i switch out old coolant i try and run pure distilled for a day or two to flush new liquid into the engine and get out what didn't come out when i drained the old
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 11
From: las vegas nv.
worst case you need a new radiator, water pump, hoses, tank etc
stuff that really should be changed on an 11yr old car anyway
with mileage that low i would really suspect you could just drain it, fill with distilled water, drive for a weekend, drain it, then add a new batch of dexcool and distilled & be good. even if it's a little muddy the most you'll need is a pump and radiator, biggest risk is if the car was overheated which is easy enough to check for. let it idle in the 3pm sun for 30 minutes and see how hot it gets
whenever i switch out old coolant i try and run pure distilled for a day or two to flush new liquid into the engine and get out what didn't come out when i drained the old
stuff that really should be changed on an 11yr old car anyway
with mileage that low i would really suspect you could just drain it, fill with distilled water, drive for a weekend, drain it, then add a new batch of dexcool and distilled & be good. even if it's a little muddy the most you'll need is a pump and radiator, biggest risk is if the car was overheated which is easy enough to check for. let it idle in the 3pm sun for 30 minutes and see how hot it gets
whenever i switch out old coolant i try and run pure distilled for a day or two to flush new liquid into the engine and get out what didn't come out when i drained the old
