C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Coolant Flush Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 16, 2003 | 04:13 AM
  #1  
LIGHTNING's Avatar
LIGHTNING
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Conversation Starter
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 48
From: NJ
Default Coolant Flush Question

Is it ok to have front of c5 on ramps while draining & filling coolant? I noticed the shop manual says to be sure car is level. But there's no way to fit a pan under radiator. Any reason it has to be level?
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 07:07 AM
  #2  
Miaugi's Avatar
Miaugi
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
Default Re: Coolant Flush Question (LIGHTNING)

LIGHTNING - Iguess that the system is geared for refill based on being more or less level. To avoid potential problems, maybe drive the front on ramps and jacking up the rear to compensate would be a good idea.

There are some procedures to follow but if you have the manual you will be ok. One thing not well covered in the shop manual though is the drain, the actual drain itself is under the rad, but the valve fowl is facing the engine and you need a 1/4" drive to turn it. It only turns about 1/3 of a turn (counterclockwise) then you should just give a tug outwards with your fingers (or small piers) to open it up to the max. It doesn't drain that fast, probably a good 5 minutes to empty the system, don't forget to remove the filler cap while draining. Good luck. :)
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 10:35 AM
  #3  
gonbad's Avatar
gonbad
Melting Slicks
25 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 3
From: Spring, TX
Default Re: Coolant Flush Question (Miaugi)

To drain you are OK with it on ramps. It will need to be level to refill properly.

If you follow the system outlined in the Service Manual you can leave the car on the ramps as you cycle water through the system. DO NOT USE A CHEMICAL FLUSH. Keep a good eye on the amount of solution you put back in the car after flushing. Once it begins to fill the surge tank take the car off the ramps and finish with it level.

Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 11:36 AM
  #4  
luvinc5's Avatar
luvinc5
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 0
From: Panama City Beach FL
Default Re: Coolant Flush Question (gonbad)

Yuk, that's a messy diy operation you'll be undertaking.
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 11:56 AM
  #5  
wwashing's Avatar
wwashing
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
Default Re: Coolant Flush Question (gonbad)

To drain you are OK with it on ramps. It will need to be level to refill properly.

If you follow the system outlined in the Service Manual you can leave the car on the ramps as you cycle water through the system. DO NOT USE A CHEMICAL FLUSH. Keep a good eye on the amount of solution you put back in the car after flushing. Once it begins to fill the surge tank take the car off the ramps and finish with it level.
And take the residue to your local Haz-waste center! :cheers:
Reply
Old May 16, 2003 | 12:04 PM
  #6  
skidmarc's Avatar
skidmarc
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 0
From: Ocean County NJ
Default Re: Coolant Flush Question (LIGHTNING)

dont forget to use distilled water so that the minerals dont corrode the aluminum!
Reply
Old May 18, 2003 | 04:00 AM
  #7  
LIGHTNING's Avatar
LIGHTNING
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Conversation Starter
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 48
From: NJ
Default Re: Coolant Flush Question (skidmarc)

Thanks for the responses!
Do you use distilled water to flush it also, or just the final fill?
Reply
Old May 18, 2003 | 10:17 AM
  #8  
Miaugi's Avatar
Miaugi
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
Default Re: Coolant Flush Question (LIGHTNING)

I used it for the final fill only, the flush was with tap water. The manual says to use clear, clean tap water. The distilled water is just an ounce of prevention.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 21, 2003 | 11:37 AM
  #9  
skidmarc's Avatar
skidmarc
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 0
From: Ocean County NJ
Default Re: Coolant Flush Question (Miaugi)

I jus got new Dexcool and its orange...what happend to the pink?
Reply
Old May 21, 2003 | 12:04 PM
  #10  
kromberg's Avatar
kromberg
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,786
Likes: 6
From: Lafayette Colorado
Default Re: Coolant Flush Question (skidmarc)

I jus got new Dexcool and its orange...what happend to the pink?
All the DexCool I have ever bought has been orange :)

Keith

Reply
Old May 29, 2003 | 09:52 AM
  #11  
skidmarc's Avatar
skidmarc
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 0
From: Ocean County NJ
Default Re: Coolant Flush Question (LIGHTNING)

anyone have a link that details the coolant flush/refill process for the backyard mechanic?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Coolant Flush Question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:39 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE