Track prep coolant

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Jul 7, 2015 | 04:27 PM

jdmdohcpower

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

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Track prep coolant

As simple as it sounds? Open drain 3 gallons, close and put 3 gallons of distilled back in the rad? That's it?

Jul 7, 2015 | 04:32 PM

lawdogg149

Melting Slicks

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I just opened the drain on the lower radiator let all that would come out come. This emptied the over flow tank as well. When the dripping stopped I added distilled water. No over heating for me.

Jul 7, 2015 | 04:50 PM

Babaron

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2012

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From: SW Ohio

No water wetter? I thought people were using 80/20 with WW.

Jul 7, 2015 | 04:51 PM

Snorman

Scraping the splitter.

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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15

Not 3 gallons...lol. About 5-6 quarts to dilute to 20% Dexcool from the factory fill.
S.

Jul 7, 2015 | 04:57 PM

jdmdohcpower

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

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so 1.5 gallons. Can anyone comment on the rad capacity?
I think the whole thing is 11.5 quarts

Last edited by jdmdohcpower; Jul 7, 2015 at 05:05 PM.

Jul 7, 2015 | 06:15 PM

Snorman

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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15

Total coolant capacity is 11.8 quarts. I would advise against running straight water, even with WW. You'll be able to drain 1/2 of the factory 60/40 mix out of the radiator petcock and fill with distilled water at the surge tank.
S.

Jul 7, 2015 | 07:35 PM

jdmdohcpower

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Burning Brakes

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So empty rad and fill with distilled or just drain 6 quarts?

Jul 7, 2015 | 09:37 PM

Snorman

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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdmdohcpower

So empty rad and fill with distilled or just drain 6 quarts?

You'll empty some out of the surge tank too as the radiator drains. Keep track of how much you drain out of the car, and replace it with the same volume (minus whatever coolant additives you use...i.e. Water Wetter, DEI, Purple Ice, etc.).
Fill the surge tank, idle engine for 4 minutes, top off surge tank, bring up rpms to 2-2.5k for 2 minutes, top off surge tank, replace cap and let it cool. Check level when cool and fill surge tank as needed. Run the heater during this process.
S.

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Jul 8, 2015 | 01:36 AM

Bill Dearborn

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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)

Unless they changed with the C7 GM recommends using drinkable water. No need to go with distilled or deionized water. I have been using tap water for 40+ years with no issues. My 03 Tahoe is on its 3rd 5 year fill with tap water and Dex.

Bill