Coolant change...

[Edmond]

Hey gang,

I want to change the coolant, just a simple drain and refill, not a flush. I have questions:

Should the car be level or can I have it on the Rhino ramps?

Where do I drain it at?

 

[oldace84]

On my '84...I just disconnected the lwr. radiator hose...and drained fluid into a recepticle....then poured distilled water thru the radiator......after deveral flushes....just refilled with distilled water and antifreeze...no problems....seems OK.....
What do you think?????
tony

 

[Interceptor430]

The car should be level to get it all drained out of the engine block if you drain it via the radiator drain plug. JMHO.

 

[muddywaters]

coolant change

Lower radiator hose or drain plug , car should be level , my .02

 

[ErnieN85]

Edmond, If you haven't done it before (or some one else) You will probably want to drain the block also. one of the block drains is the knock sensor the other is just an allen (i think) it's surprising how much comes out of the block after you have drained the radiator. also You will often times get quite a bit of casting sand the first time.

 

[BigRed]

Actually with the resources you seem to have, BACK the car on to the Rhino ramp this will allow alot more of the coolant in the water jackets to flow to the rad.

Heres where I say pull the Low rad hose from the rad and then once done either take the car off the ramps to make it level for the rest of the coolant in the rad OR simply pull the plug on your rad. (Usually low right side I forget where might be left).

This will allow you to pull about 80% off the coolant out.

Now when you fill....

MAKE sure you have removed all the air out of the system or things like heating/cooling performance will fail, your water pump will loose strength due to poor lubrication, thermostat can pile up, etc..

Fill it back up let it sit then fill again (and again and again..) start the car rev up rev down rev up rev down etc.. always filling it up. (Rev in like 5 second intervals)

Once you think you done let the car run and leave the rad cap off with a jug underneath. Let it run for about a half an hour to an hour. (In the shop where time is essence) I simply wait till the thermostat opens three times OR the electric fan comes on which ever.

You can continue repeating the step as much as you'd like. I use a special funnel that has adapters to fit to a variety of rad's acting as a rad cap. This allows me the monitor the air bubbles and I can walk away from the car with it constantly filling and no spilling.

They're yellow with three adapters bout 35 Bucks (Worth it)

Try not to spill any and good luck.

 

[Edmond]

The car should be level to get it all drained out of the engine block if you drain it via the radiator drain plug. JMHO.

Hi,

Where is this drain plug at?

 

[Moonunit 451]

Edmond,

I've got an 86 and the drain plug is plastic (black). It is at the very bottom of the radiator on the passenger side, right at the edge of the radiator and facing the firewall. It is not easy to get your hand in there. I used a pair of pliers from underneath to get on it and break it loose. Then I could turn it by hand with difficulty.

There are canned flushes that you can use. They require you to flush the engine several times to be effective, but if you follow the directions you only loose one fresh systems worth of antifreeze. With all that cheap antifreeze you picked up, should be no problem. I think the stuff works well. Be prepared to spend half a day to do it. And BigRed is right it is difficult to fully recharge the system when you're done. It took me a two or three days to get it topped off to where I didn't occasionally get it talking to me when I got on it.

 

[Interceptor430]

Edmond,
Yea, the plug is located at the bottom right corner on the passenger side. I was able to open mine without using pliers, but be very careful if you do have to use pliers....(We are definately used to the old metal drain valves!)

 

[Robertwav1]

If I recall correctly the manual for the car tells you the proper procedure. Like someone mentioned here, you don't want air in the system. I know the LT1 has reverse flow cooling and it is dependent on a full and air free cooling system.

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

We always jack up the right side of the car to move the air bubble out of the water pump. We use NPG waterless coolant which has a higher viscosity than regular coolant and therefore has more problems with air-locks. Maybe this trick will help you ¨bleed¨ the system.