Engine Coolant
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 23
From: Waldorf, MD
A way I have done radiator draining in the past to clean it out (but not yet on a Vette) was to open the insert a running hose into the fill spout, open the radiator valve, start the engine, adjust the hose flow in to the same amount coming out of the drain valve and let the car idle for a bit. Rev the engine if you want to get the water pump really turning. This continous draining should flush all the junk out. Be sure to turn the engine off before letting all the water drain out of the system and then fill as desired with whatever desired.
Remember to clean up any spilled coolant as the fauna and varmits will try to slurp it up and it will kill them. That includes the family dog. Not sure if this is true for Dex Cool.
Remember to clean up any spilled coolant as the fauna and varmits will try to slurp it up and it will kill them. That includes the family dog. Not sure if this is true for Dex Cool.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 352
Likes: 29
From: Peoria Arizona
Never ever use DeIonized water in your cooling system. It acts just like a corrosive. In a nut shell the water molecule has been stripped of an ion and since it's missing one it will reclaim one with what ever it comes in contact with. The softer the contact material is the easier it gives up its ion. Thats why ultra pure DI water will not readily conduct eletricity. I've seen cement exposed to it over time and it looks like someone poured hydrochloric acid on it.
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Never ever use DeIonized water in your cooling system. It acts just like a corrosive. In a nut shell the water molecule has been stripped of an ion and since it's missing one it will reclaim one with what ever it comes in contact with. The softer the contact material is the easier it gives up its ion. Thats why ultra pure DI water will not readily conduct eletricity. I've seen cement exposed to it over time and it looks like someone poured hydrochloric acid on it.
The process of flushing and refiling the coolant system advocated here by BRIM specifies distilled water which I used. However, to suggest that deionized water is corrosive to cooling systems is: BS . Deionized water is routinely used in the stainless steel coolant systems of nuclear power plants to prevent corrosion processes.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 713
Likes: 62
From: Melbourne Fl.
You know we're all forgetting about the thermostat in this discussion. It's a maintainance item just like the coolant so it should be changed as well. Plus when you remove the thermostat and flush prior to installing the new one, the water does a better job of circulating through the engine unrestricted. Once the flush is completed then install the new thermostat and fill with coolant. Thermostat + o ring = ~$25.Warren
Last edited by Warren Seale; May 10, 2011 at 12:17 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 7
From: Pottsboro; Sometimes Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '12
If you bring it to GM, they'll just drain the radiator and refill the coolant.....my local dealer charges $120 for that.
I just did it this morning, needed 2 jugs of 50/50 dexcool from walmart total cost $22. Drained and refilled. I was also at the 5 yr mark and decided might as well do it.
I just did it this morning, needed 2 jugs of 50/50 dexcool from walmart total cost $22. Drained and refilled. I was also at the 5 yr mark and decided might as well do it.
I had your same dilemma with my yukon....when it hit five years it did NOT have 100k....GM says change at 5 years or 100k....Went to dealer and they said just check it/test it yearly till 100k then change it....
If it was my Vette, I'd do the same until it's seven years/or 100k or so, then change all the fluids irregardless....JMO
add: 100k is enough mileage for any fluid IMO. Otherwise, when not driven I think it's ok to let it stay until 7 years/under 100k....
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
If you bring it to GM, they'll just drain the radiator and refill the coolant.....my local dealer charges $120 for that.
I just did it this morning, needed 2 jugs of 50/50 dexcool from walmart total cost $22. Drained and refilled. I was also at the 5 yr mark and decided might as well do it.
I just did it this morning, needed 2 jugs of 50/50 dexcool from walmart total cost $22. Drained and refilled. I was also at the 5 yr mark and decided might as well do it.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,205
Likes: 21
From: Arlington VA
I've do this every year on my motorcycles and always used Distilled water. Takes about 2 gallons to do each bike.. I must do it every riding/race season because I have to store the bikes with antifreeze coolant during the winter, but during the spring/summer/fall when I'm on the track I can only run water & water wetter. Antifreeze coolant is not allowed to be used on the track in the advanced group for trackdays or during a sanctioned race event.
At $0.79 cents a gallon for distilled water (less if you buy the big 2.5 gallon container). Why even bother arguing if its worth it or not. Seriously with all the time/money/effort guys put into our Vettes, is it really worth saving $5 bucks to use the water hose or other water source?
At $0.79 cents a gallon for distilled water (less if you buy the big 2.5 gallon container). Why even bother arguing if its worth it or not. Seriously with all the time/money/effort guys put into our Vettes, is it really worth saving $5 bucks to use the water hose or other water source?
Last edited by Daekwan06; May 11, 2011 at 01:34 PM.
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 147
From: St. Louis MO
I think some are over thinking this rather simple maintenance procedure. I see no reason for the repeated flushing with distilled water is necessary. Modern engines just don't get crudded up as much as the olde iron blocks did.
On my LS1, I drained the radiator, cleaned the coolant recovery reservoir, and to get every ounce of old antifreeze out, I removed the block drain plugs. They were listed as Engine Drain, Right Side/Left Side.
Buy the pure DexCool fluid, not the 50/50 mix. Don't pay extra $$ for the DexCool manufacturer to add water!!! Yes, use distilled water as extra insurance, but it is not strictly necessary.
On my LS1, I drained the radiator, cleaned the coolant recovery reservoir, and to get every ounce of old antifreeze out, I removed the block drain plugs. They were listed as Engine Drain, Right Side/Left Side.
Buy the pure DexCool fluid, not the 50/50 mix. Don't pay extra $$ for the DexCool manufacturer to add water!!! Yes, use distilled water as extra insurance, but it is not strictly necessary.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 359
Likes: 2
DexCool gels when air gets into the system. I don't think it has anything to do with the brand.
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Repeated flushings with distilled water simply let the rest of the coolant that is not removed by draining the radiator by itself to be expelled, The radiator drain will only remove about 8 quarts of the total thats in the system. The remainder needs to be flushed out if you want the system to have no old coolant left in it.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 388
Likes: 2
From: Raleigh NC
" Like was said by like dem vettes - "DexCool gels when air gets into the system. I don't think it has anything to do with the brand."
I had stored about 1/3 gal of Dex cool I had mixed up to 50/50 for a flush and stored it for future use. Several years later to my suprise when I opened the jusg to top off my truck, Yikes, it came out like
gloobs of 1/2 set up jello !!!!!
Never really understood it but per like'em's comment you can belive it.
I had stored about 1/3 gal of Dex cool I had mixed up to 50/50 for a flush and stored it for future use. Several years later to my suprise when I opened the jusg to top off my truck, Yikes, it came out like
gloobs of 1/2 set up jello !!!!!
Never really understood it but per like'em's comment you can belive it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 147
From: St. Louis MO
Repeated flushings with distilled water simply let the rest of the coolant that is not removed by draining the radiator by itself to be expelled, The radiator drain will only remove about 8 quarts of the total thats in the system. The remainder needs to be flushed out if you want the system to have no old coolant left in it.
So, no reason for the repeated flushing with distilled water is necessary, unless some guys don't have a 17mm allen drive socket and would rather buy jugs of water instead of admitting it?
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
So, no reason for the repeated flushing with distilled water is necessary, unless some guys don't have a 17mm allen drive socket and would rather buy jugs of water instead of admitting it? [/QUOTE]
Or some guys dont want to crawl around under their car removing plugs and would rather stand up and pour 80 cent water in the resevoir.
[/QUOTE]Or some guys dont want to crawl around under their car removing plugs and would rather stand up and pour 80 cent water in the resevoir.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,457
Likes: 297
From: corpus christi Texas
I gave in and had the dealer do it also for $200 (ouch). On the invoice in addition to the coolant they have radiator protectant and radiator cleaner listed. The overflow tank had some crud in it and they actually took the tank off and cleaned it out, I was sitting in the waiting room and the service manager brought the tank out to ask me if it was clean enough. So I think the dealer does more than drain it and add new stuff.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 10,028
Likes: 53
From: FEMA District 4
Here are my notes that I gathered from the forum:
Change coolant every 5 years or 150,000 miles, which ever comes first.
Buy 2 gals Prestone Dex Cool (Walmart) and 6 gals distilled water. I used 5 gals of distilled water this year and flushed it twice. I think three flushes would have been better.
1) Drain coolant (drain plug is on passenger side). Approx. 8 qts out of 12.6 qts will actually drain.
2) Refill surge tank to the neck with distilled water. It will take a while to replace the 8 qts or whatever was drained.
3) Start engine, idle 4 min
4) Top off surge tank
5) Rev engine at 2000-2500 rpm for 2 more min. (temp should reach ~200 F)
6) Shutoff engine, cool for 20 minutes
7) Repeat steps 1-6 until fluid drains clear (2-4 flushes)
8) Refill with 6.3 qts Dex Cool (it's a slow process) and then top off with distilled water.
9) Repeat steps 3-5, take test drive, refill as necessary with distilled water.
10) Dispose of your old antifreeze at a recycling center.
Change coolant every 5 years or 150,000 miles, which ever comes first.
Buy 2 gals Prestone Dex Cool (Walmart) and 6 gals distilled water. I used 5 gals of distilled water this year and flushed it twice. I think three flushes would have been better.
1) Drain coolant (drain plug is on passenger side). Approx. 8 qts out of 12.6 qts will actually drain.
2) Refill surge tank to the neck with distilled water. It will take a while to replace the 8 qts or whatever was drained.
3) Start engine, idle 4 min
4) Top off surge tank
5) Rev engine at 2000-2500 rpm for 2 more min. (temp should reach ~200 F)
6) Shutoff engine, cool for 20 minutes
7) Repeat steps 1-6 until fluid drains clear (2-4 flushes)
8) Refill with 6.3 qts Dex Cool (it's a slow process) and then top off with distilled water.
9) Repeat steps 3-5, take test drive, refill as necessary with distilled water.
10) Dispose of your old antifreeze at a recycling center.