Coolant Change
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 148
From: 1000 Islands Ontario
Coolant Change
Hi.
I have 20,000 miles on my 2008 C6.
For maintenance reasons, I will be changing the Dexcool this fall.
The plan is to drain the rad and remove the thermostat, to get as much Dexcool out of the engine/rad without actually flushing the system. If the fluid comes out clean, then I will just add a 50/50 mix of distilled water and AC Delco Dexcool.
Questions:
1. Do I have to add any sealant/lube on the thermostat "O" ring and flange?
2. Is any sealer/lube required on the thermostat bolts?
3. Is there a safe way of getting any air locks out of the engine? I noticed there is a bleeder hose of sorts coming out of the filler reservoir. Should I try blowing into this hose to help burp the system?
Thanks,
M...
I have 20,000 miles on my 2008 C6.
For maintenance reasons, I will be changing the Dexcool this fall.
The plan is to drain the rad and remove the thermostat, to get as much Dexcool out of the engine/rad without actually flushing the system. If the fluid comes out clean, then I will just add a 50/50 mix of distilled water and AC Delco Dexcool.
Questions:
1. Do I have to add any sealant/lube on the thermostat "O" ring and flange?
2. Is any sealer/lube required on the thermostat bolts?
3. Is there a safe way of getting any air locks out of the engine? I noticed there is a bleeder hose of sorts coming out of the filler reservoir. Should I try blowing into this hose to help burp the system?
Thanks,
M...
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Hi.
I have 20,000 miles on my 2008 C6.
For maintenance reasons, I will be changing the Dexcool this fall.
The plan is to drain the rad and remove the thermostat, to get as much Dexcool out of the engine/rad without actually flushing the system. If the fluid comes out clean, then I will just add a 50/50 mix of distilled water and AC Delco Dexcool.
Questions:
1. Do I have to add any sealant/lube on the thermostat "O" ring and flange?
2. Is any sealer/lube required on the thermostat bolts?
3. Is there a safe way of getting any air locks out of the engine? I noticed there is a bleeder hose of sorts coming out of the filler reservoir. Should I try blowing into this hose to help burp the system?
Thanks,
M...
I have 20,000 miles on my 2008 C6.
For maintenance reasons, I will be changing the Dexcool this fall.
The plan is to drain the rad and remove the thermostat, to get as much Dexcool out of the engine/rad without actually flushing the system. If the fluid comes out clean, then I will just add a 50/50 mix of distilled water and AC Delco Dexcool.
Questions:
1. Do I have to add any sealant/lube on the thermostat "O" ring and flange?
2. Is any sealer/lube required on the thermostat bolts?
3. Is there a safe way of getting any air locks out of the engine? I noticed there is a bleeder hose of sorts coming out of the filler reservoir. Should I try blowing into this hose to help burp the system?
Thanks,
M...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 134
From: merritt island fl
C1 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2016 C1 of the Year Finalist
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
Just draining the radiator by opening the draincock will leave a lot of coolant in the block. Loosening the thermostat housing will allow much of the coolant in the block to drain.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 148
From: 1000 Islands Ontario
Thanks for the replies.
I plan on putting in a 180 stat (Lingenfelter)- so I have to remove the old one anyways.
Do I run the "O" seal and bolt threads dry?
Thanks,
M....
I plan on putting in a 180 stat (Lingenfelter)- so I have to remove the old one anyways.
Do I run the "O" seal and bolt threads dry?
Thanks,
M....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,078
Likes: 19
From: Cumming, GA
Nothinig needed on the bolts but I personally like the added confidence of a little liquid gasket around the housing. I've reused the thermo o-ring numerous times without issue but always spread a thin film on the housing just in case. 
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
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From what I have read there is no need to remove thermostat. Simply just open the draincock on passenger side on bottom of radiator and replace with same. You won't get all the old stuff out but that's the way the cooling system is unlike other cars that have a radiator cap on top of radiator to do a superflush until you get clear running water with no anti-freeze in it.