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Changing Coolant- 2008 Z51

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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 07:22 AM
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Default Changing Coolant- 2008 Z51

I need to do some routine maintenance this winter and want to change the coolant in my 2008. I have done this many times on C4s (incl a ZR1), but never the C6.

Is it the same process (drain & refill) or are there special steps to bleed the air from the system or such?

Thanks,
Dan
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 11:10 AM
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never done a C4 but its pretty straight fwd on a C6. The coolant system, in my opinion, seems to clear air from the system very well on its own. Maybe lift the front of the car a hair, but I dont think its necessary.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 02:50 PM
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why are you changing coolant on a one year old car??? long life coolant is good for five years or 150,000 miles.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 04:41 PM
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I agree, unless the coolant seems dirty or your changing stats I think changing your coolant would be unnecessary.

If you still want to flush out the old and put in new I would be happy to share some tips other members gave me that made my stat replacement a snap.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 04:54 PM
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I did mine no problem. drained/flushed/refilled. no special purging req'd. Filled and drove once, then seemed to take about a pint more of water then stayed full.

steve
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Suttie
why are you changing coolant on a one year old car??? long life coolant is good for five years or 150,000 miles.


Douglas in Green Bay
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 05:52 PM
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My 2005 owners manual says to change it every 5 years or 150,000 miles whichever occurs first.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Suttie
why are you changing coolant on a one year old car??? long life coolant is good for five years or 150,000 miles.
It will be 2 years old at the end of December and it has approximately 2,500 miles. I get paranoid about Dexcool and thought changing it would be cheap insurance.

Dan
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 09:06 PM
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Default Coolent Change

Hi all
Changed Mine this past weekend. I drained by the petcock on the
right side of the radiator. I let it drain about 30 minutes. measured
what i took out about 2 gallons Refill with a mix of 50% coolant
and water. It did get air bound but all i had to do was squeeze the lower
radiator hose a few times to burp it and all was ok
Good luck
Michael
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Old Dec 8, 2009 | 11:11 AM
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RedZR Why are you paranoid about Dexcool???
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Old Dec 8, 2009 | 01:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Suttie
RedZR Why are you paranoid about Dexcool???
Look at the bottom of your reservoir cap.

***Yes, yes I know this a big debate amongst many. I, personally, didnt care for this muddy substance and swapped to green. This was for pure piece of mind for ME.
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Old Dec 8, 2009 | 05:10 PM
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Leavinu, My C6 is an April 06 build with 24000 miles on it. The coolant is clear orange and the under side of the surge tank cap is as clean as day one. So from my current vantage point, I still think that dexcool is ok out to 150K or 5 yrs in a LSx engine. You have experienced sludge in your system. Please elaborate. Silicated green coolant is OK. You are now obligated to change it every 2+ years. The silicates in the coolant will wear the water pump shaft seal quicker.
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Old Dec 9, 2009 | 07:27 PM
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I have been running Dexcool in GM cars since 97. Several of them including two Corvettes have gone through the 5 year period and were on their second fill with no problems. One car was on its third 5 year fill of Dexcool. No cooling system issues with any of them. Much better than my 40 previous years experience on a bunch of cars with the green stuff which turned rusty within two years and had to be replaced. Even when I replaced the 5 year old Dex it still looked as fresh as the day it was installed. Dex is much easier on me, the car and the environment since you don't use as much of it. Don't be nervous of it, embrace it. Do not listen to the scare stories that are mostly myths.

Bill
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Old Dec 9, 2009 | 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Dearborn
I have been running Dexcool in GM cars since 97. Several of them including two Corvettes have gone through the 5 year period and were on their second fill with no problems. One car was on its third 5 year fill of Dexcool. No cooling system issues with any of them. Much better than my 40 previous years experience on a bunch of cars with the green stuff which turned rusty within two years and had to be replaced. Even when I replaced the 5 year old Dex it still looked as fresh as the day it was installed. Dex is much easier on me, the car and the environment since you don't use as much of it. Don't be nervous of it, embrace it. Do not listen to the scare stories that are mostly myths.

Bill
I absolutely second this. I have run Dexcool in all of the cars I routinely service since the 1996-1997 timeframe including many GMs, a couple of Toyotas and a Ford ('91 5.0L Mustang). I always mix the Dexcool with deionized water and the cooling systems are always kept properly filled. I've never had a problem with any sludge forming and the Dexcool remains crystal clear after 5 years. Interestingly, I originally made the move to Dexcool when I changed the coolant in two of my cars using the green stuff and the silicate package precipitated out in both cars within a couple of weeks thus requiring replacement (coolant was full of silicate floaties).
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by La Orange
Hi all
Changed Mine this past weekend. I drained by the petcock on the
right side of the radiator. I let it drain about 30 minutes. measured
what i took out about 2 gallons Refill with a mix of 50% coolant
and water. It did get air bound but all i had to do was squeeze the lower
radiator hose a few times to burp it and all was ok
Good luck
Michael
If you only drain the radiator you only change about 2/3 of the coolant. Better to drain the radiator and block, add 6 qts Dexcool, then top off with water.
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by LEAVINU
Look at the bottom of your reservoir cap.

***Yes, yes I know this a big debate amongst many. I, personally, didnt care for this muddy substance and swapped to green. This was for pure piece of mind for ME.
You may find your peace of mind will be disturbed shortly. The green stuff is on its way out due to its short life span.

Bill
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 07:51 PM
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I would gladly take your 2500 mile drain fluid to use in a used car.
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To Changing Coolant- 2008 Z51

Old Dec 11, 2009 | 10:41 PM
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I suppose you guys have not seen what the pink stuff does..u will
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Old Dec 12, 2009 | 12:03 AM
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Originally Posted by RedZR
I need to do some routine maintenance this winter and want to change the coolant in my 2008. I have done this many times on C4s (incl a ZR1), but never the C6.

Is it the same process (drain & refill) or are there special steps to bleed the air from the system or such?

Thanks,
Dan
I would not change the coolant. I can not think of one reason why unless you are close to 100,000 miles.
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Old Dec 12, 2009 | 08:14 AM
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[QUOTE=calemasters;1572404546]I would not change the coolant. I can not think of one reason why unless you are close to 100,000 miles.[/QUOTE]

What about the statement in the manual to change it a 5 years or 150,000 miles. I have 23,000 miles and am planning on changing it at 5 years. Is that a waste?
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