Engine coolant Change

[Ralphis]

Folks,

I looked around in books and stuff . . but was just wondering to make dead sure .... the flushing of the engine coolant I would imagine is done at the lower right of the radiator (drain plug ) ??

Also, I see I need about 14 qts of Engine Coolant .. what brand do you guys use ?

I was also planning on changing the thermostat ? what do you guys suggest ?

as usual - thanks again :notworthy:
Ralph

 

[GDTrumbo]

What you trying to do is really just a drain & fill. A "flush" is normally done with a machine.

A 50/50 mix of Prestone and distilled water is what I'd recommend. The premixed version is a rip off.

If the current thermostat is functioning well I would just leave it alone.

When refilling, remove the temp sensor from the intake's crossover, fill block up, reinstall sensor and proceed to fill the radiator & burp tank.

Run engine till at operating temp, turn off and let sit for a couple hours. Later, check level, fill if necessary and drive it a while. Keep an eye on the level for a few days. Should be good to go.....

GT

 

[Ralphis]

the temp (engine) seems like it does not go up as it should .. has a hard time coming off the "c" mark .... so I'm figuring it's lazy a little ...

 

[joekd]

If it takes a long time to heat up your thermostat may be stuck open, worth spending the money on a new thermostat and of course gasket

 

[Ralphis]

that is was I'm thinking ....

 

[GDTrumbo]

Oh. Didn't know about the temp situation. You could fill the block quite nicely just before the stat/seal install.

You may not feel comfortable with this but, a popular practice is to take the new thermostat and drill a 1/8" dia. hole outboard as possible in the center plate to help with air pockets in the block during the fill process. Just throwing that out there.

GT

 

[Ralphis]

drilling .... hmmmm .....

 

[joekd]

I also drilled mine before I installed it (did the boiling water test first to make sure the thermo worked fine) figured it can only help

Also added one bottle of Redline water wetter

 

[97GT4.6]

I say get a 180 stat for it while your at it. Flush it out with water.. you can pull heater hoses to flush them out as well if you wish..