Coolant Replacement

[LITG8TR]

Question. I've got a 2001 3.8 Firebird and just hit the 50K mark. When should I change the coolant? It looks good and the car is running normal temps.
Also, can I really wait until 100K to change the plugs? Seems strange to me.

[cassie]

I just flushed my coolant and changed my plugs n' wires on my 1998. I hit 50k about a month ago.

[twofaced]

I thought that coolant was 5 years, 150K miles. Heck I have a 108 on my car this week, gonna hit 109 next week, and my car coolant hasnt been changed and its runs the same as it always has. Thought I would save you a little money.

[nikon]

save a little money???....haha...more like wasting alot if you dont take care of it with the BS dex-cool crap they put in our cars....dont trust what they say....I see cars getting water pumps, having to totally rip apart cooling systems and such because of this crap...flush it as often as possible....and if you can get all the orange out go with green again ;) save you alot of trouble...

[speedy-v6-camaro]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by cassie:
I just flushed my coolant and changed my plugs n' wires on my 1998. I hit 50k about a month ago.<hr></blockquote>

Ditto....just under the 51K mark on my 98.

[99pewterv6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by nikon:
save a little money???....haha...more like wasting alot if you dont take care of it with the BS dex-cool crap they put in our cars....dont trust what they say....I see cars getting water pumps, having to totally rip apart cooling systems and such because of this crap...flush it as often as possible....and if you can get all the orange out go with green again ;) save you alot of trouble...<hr></blockquote>

I've heard bad things about the orange stuff. My uncle had it in his van and it ate up the gaskets. Would the Do it yourself flush kit get out the orange? Also doing this, I heard, will void the warrenty, is this ture? I check my warrenty and it didnt say anything about that. What should I do? I want the orange out!

[PewterBird]

How to drain and refill Coolant system. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Don't forget to tighten your drain **** .

---------------------------------------------

Draining and Filling Cooling System 3.8L
Draining Procedure

Caution
As long as there is pressure in the cooling system, the temperature can be considerably higher than the boiling temperature of the solution in the radiator without causing the solution to boil. Removal of the pressure cap while the engine is hot and pressure is high will cause the solution to boil instantaneously -- possibly with explosive force -- spewing the solution over the engine, fenders and the person removing the cap.

NOTICE
When adding coolant, it is important that you use GM Goodwrench DEX-COOL® or HAVOLINE® DEX-COOL® coolant. If Coolant other than DEX-COOL® or HAVOLINE® DEX-COOL® is added to the system the engine coolant will require change sooner; at 50 000 km (30,000 mi) or 24 months.


Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Remove the coolant recovery reservoir fill cap.
Remove the radiator pressure cap.
Slowly rotate the cap counter clockwise until the cap reaches the stop. Do not press down while turning the radiator pressure cap.
Wait until any remaining pressure, indicated by a hissing sound, is relieved.
After all the pressure is relieved, press down on the pressure cap and continue to rotate the pressure cap counter clockwise.
Open the radiator drain **** .
Open the air bleed vent located on top of the water outlet. Open the air bleed vent two or three turns.
Place a shop towel under the bleed valve in order to prevent coolant from splashing onto the EGR valve outlet pipe.
Remove the engine knock sensors, located on either side of the engine block.

Important
Store used engine coolant in the proper manner, such as in a used engine coolant holding tank. Do not pour used engine coolant down a drain. Ethylene glycol antifreeze is a very toxic chemical. Do not dispose of coolant into the sewer system or ground water. This is illegal and ecologically unsound.


Allow the system to drain completely.
Filling Procedure
Close the radiator drain **** . Tighten
Tighten the radiator drain **** to 1.5 N·m (13 lb in).

Install the engine knock sensors. Tighten
Tighten the knock sensor to 19 N·m (14 lb ft)

Add enough water to fill the coolant system.
Run the engine until the thermostat opens.
Stop the engine. Repeat the draining procedure until the drained fluid is colorless.
Remove, clean, and then reinstall the coolant recovery reservoir. Refer to Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement .
Complete the following steps in order to fill the cooling system:
Close the air bleed vent when the bubbles disappear and only the coolant is visible.
Fill the radiator to below the fill neck.
Fill the coolant recovery reservoir to the FULL HOT mark.
Install the coolant recovery reservoir cap.
With the radiator pressure cap removed, run the engine until the engine reaches normal operating temperature. The radiator inlet hose will become hot.
With the engine idling, add coolant to the radiator until the coolant level reaches the bottom of the filler neck.
Install the pressure cap. The arrows on the cap must line up with the vent tube.
After the engine reaches normal operating temperature, check for coolant leaks.
© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


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Document ID # 295008
1999 Pontiac Firebird

[ October 08, 2003: Message edited by: PewterBird ]</p>

[nikon]

if you not having any problems with the dex-cool keep using it and be happy....if your cooling system starts giving you problems then worry about it....just flush it...like everything else you need to keep up on maintenance ;)