Changing engine coolant
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 595
Likes: 5
From: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
During maintenance at 160,000 + miles I overhauled my starter and
removed the block plug to drain the block. Happy I did it only a small
amount of junk was present. You will need a 5/16 male hex.
removed the block plug to drain the block. Happy I did it only a small
amount of junk was present. You will need a 5/16 male hex.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,229
Likes: 411
From: Mt. Sinai NY
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,023
Likes: 1,645
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Just had mine flushed 2 weeks ago. $63 labor, $30 for "cool syst flush", and $17 for "coolant". Looks like the same $110 you were quoted. I've done coolant changes in the driveway before and $110 is worth it to me to get a proper flush.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 807
From: West coast CA
Yes, there are _two_ block drains. The one you can see, a big round brass plug with a 17mm internal hex drive - and the one you can't, a conventional external hex bolt above the starter motor. You have to pull the starter, but that's easy. The big brass one is actually harder to access in practice. I use a stubby one-piece 17mm socket, Mac Tools P/N SC80.
Pretty much nobody does this because it's hard. They drain the radiator, blast water through the system to displace the other half of the coolant still in the block, and top off with coolant to arrive at the 50/50 mix ratio, more-or-less. This is a little inexact and very messy.
Pretty much nobody does this because it's hard. They drain the radiator, blast water through the system to displace the other half of the coolant still in the block, and top off with coolant to arrive at the 50/50 mix ratio, more-or-less. This is a little inexact and very messy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 16
From: Sugarhill Ga
pull a radiator hose, run the garden hose into the the engine, start the car , catch the old stuff in a drain pan and run until clean. then shut the engine off, fill with coolant, top with water. then put the old stuff into containers and take it to an auto parts store for recycleing.
pay the $100 and keep it clean, but you don't know what corners those monkeys cut.
pay the $100 and keep it clean, but you don't know what corners those monkeys cut.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 6,391
Likes: 1,453
From: South Dakota
Thats what they told me that they do. It does sound a lot easier than messing with it at home, making a mess etc. I will let them do it on the condition that I can watch them do the work. If I have to sit and wait in the customer lounge, I will go elsewhere.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
My approach is to do that when coolant is still in good shape, so just a radiator/reservoir drain and refill is necessary. Cheap, and no mess. Many car manufacturers warn against any kind of flushing. I prefer not to do that too. Good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,446
Likes: 313
From: Tarpon Springs FL
FL Events Coordinator
WRONG....With the anti-freeze that is in our vettes....5 yrs is the recommended change time. The Anti-Freeze breaks down and corrision can happen...even if there are NO miles on it. I just changed my 04 Silverado 4x4 with 60,000 miles for the second time and had corrosion on inside of the thermostat housing. I imagine it's inside the radiator as well. I will bring my Vert to the dealer and have him do it. 108 out the door.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Cherry Hill NJ
pull a radiator hose, run the garden hose into the the engine, start the car , catch the old stuff in a drain pan and run until clean. then shut the engine off, fill with coolant, top with water. then put the old stuff into containers and take it to an auto parts store for recycleing.
pay the $100 and keep it clean, but you don't know what corners those monkeys cut.
pay the $100 and keep it clean, but you don't know what corners those monkeys cut.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
) They will only drain from petcock on bottom side of radiator and fill from coolant reservoir. No flush.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
WRONG....With the anti-freeze that is in our vettes....5 yrs is the recommended change time. The Anti-Freeze breaks down and corrision can happen...even if there are NO miles on it. I just changed my 04 Silverado 4x4 with 60,000 miles for the second time and had corrosion on inside of the thermostat housing. I imagine it's inside the radiator as well. I will bring my Vert to the dealer and have him do it. 108 out the door.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,720
Likes: 5,609
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
My dealership charged me last Dec 119.85 including tax. I would say no mess at the house, plus they use machines to suck it out and service it back with no air blocks.