Draining the antifreeze (dexcool) question....... ****
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 105
From: st. louis, MO. USA
Draining the antifreeze (dexcool) question....... ****
Ok fellas,
Im going to drain the antifreeze (dexcool) out of my car. I read other posts about how to do this and have one question. When loosening the petcock and the antifreeze runs out , how much will i get??? One post said about 11.5 quarts drained out for him. But when I read others talking about replacing their thermostats and they drained the antifreeze using the petcock, they said only about a gallon (4-5 quarts) comes out. Which is true. I just want to drain whats in there and replace. Just want some idea how big of a catch can I need and how much dexcool to buy. Thanks guys
Rob
Im going to drain the antifreeze (dexcool) out of my car. I read other posts about how to do this and have one question. When loosening the petcock and the antifreeze runs out , how much will i get??? One post said about 11.5 quarts drained out for him. But when I read others talking about replacing their thermostats and they drained the antifreeze using the petcock, they said only about a gallon (4-5 quarts) comes out. Which is true. I just want to drain whats in there and replace. Just want some idea how big of a catch can I need and how much dexcool to buy. Thanks guys
Rob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Re: Draining the antifreeze (dexcool) question....... **** (1999PewterCorvette)
I've drained mine a couple of times and always used my car wash bucket which is a 2 gallon bucket and after it finishes draining there is plenty of room in the bucket
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
Re: Draining the antifreeze (dexcool) question....... **** (1999PewterCorvette)
Total capacity for the cooling system is 12.3 quarts for auto, 12.6 for 6 speed. Draining from the rad only you will not get this much out, as much will remain in the block. If you want to flush your system, you must drain, add clear tap water, run the engine till the thermostat opens, then repeat the whole process again. I can't recall how many times is recommended, my guess 2 - 3 at least.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 105
From: st. louis, MO. USA
Re: Draining the antifreeze (runamuk)
Hmmm,
So your getting a little over a gallon too. But the specs say that the capacity is 12.9 quarts for an MN-6 car. Well 12 quarts is about 3 gallons if my math is right. So basically when we are draining the anitifreeze and replacing, we are only doing about a 50% change. Only about half of the capacity (1.5 gal) is coming out.-- is this ok?? I really didnt want to take it to the dealer or a jiffy lube to have it all flushed out with the fancy machines. Anybody else have anything on this??
So your getting a little over a gallon too. But the specs say that the capacity is 12.9 quarts for an MN-6 car. Well 12 quarts is about 3 gallons if my math is right. So basically when we are draining the anitifreeze and replacing, we are only doing about a 50% change. Only about half of the capacity (1.5 gal) is coming out.-- is this ok?? I really didnt want to take it to the dealer or a jiffy lube to have it all flushed out with the fancy machines. Anybody else have anything on this??
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 105
From: st. louis, MO. USA
Re: Draining the antifreeze (1999PewterCorvette)
Sorry miaugi,
your post sneaked in seconds before mine. Thanks for the info. I guess I will go with just the 50% change for now.
your post sneaked in seconds before mine. Thanks for the info. I guess I will go with just the 50% change for now.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: Draining the antifreeze (1999PewterCorvette)
Any car I have ever done, you get about 50% system capacity by simply draining from the petcock. I have not yet done my C5, but I did do my C4 by the manual and re-filling with distilled water and running, draining, etc. "until clear" took about 5 times. A lengthy process to say the least and one that the dealer likely doesn't do.
PS: You can get the Dexcool pretty cheap at Wal Mart along with distilled water.
PS: You can get the Dexcool pretty cheap at Wal Mart along with distilled water.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 105
From: st. louis, MO. USA
Re: Draining the antifreeze (vettenuts)
Thanks guys-- I guess its safe to buy just 1 gallon of dexcool and 1 gallon of distilled water since im only draining the radiatior and not flushing everything.
Rob
Rob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
Re: Draining the antifreeze (1999PewterCorvette)
Hmmm,
I really didnt want to take it to the dealer or a jiffy lube to have it all flushed out with the fancy machines. Anybody else have anything on this??
I really didnt want to take it to the dealer or a jiffy lube to have it all flushed out with the fancy machines. Anybody else have anything on this??
It might be worth paying for that if you have any concerns about sediment. :blueangel:
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