When to change coolant?

[White95]

When do you know your coolant needs changed? I checked the dip stick and it had brown crap on it. The dealer I bought my car from said they flushed my coolant when I bought the car 10,000 miles ago. I don't think brown junk is good...

[Christian]

Change it man, like yesterday. The brown stuff are harmful deposits and a very good indicator that you need to change it. I change mine at least 4 times a year, typically when the seasons change. Hope that answered ya question man. Oh, when you do it make sure you get a back flushing kit from like Wal-Mart or Auto zone, it does a job more similar to what the dealership does, much better than your typical drain and flush.

[White95]

Thank, hopefully I can find time to do it this week...

[Christian]

Originally posted by White95:
Thank, hopefully I can find time to do it this week...

No problem

[firebirdrumble00]

posted May 03, 2004 10:55 AM
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When do you know your coolant needs changed? I checked the dip stick and it had brown crap on it.

Since when do you check coolant levels with a dipstick?

[White95]

I just took a look to see what color the coolant was and notice there was brown/dirt **** on it.

[Christian]

Originally posted by firebirdrumble00:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr /> posted May 03, 2004 10:55 AM
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When do you know your coolant needs changed? I checked the dip stick and it had brown crap on it.

Since when do you check coolant levels with a dipstick? </font>[/QUOTE]I think he meant he checked the overflow tank, and yea it does have a dipstick pimp.

[RancidCamaro]

There's some bullcrap that floats around that says you only have to change coolant every 3-5 years... that's a bunch of BS.

Change it AT LEAST annually. I flush and replace mine every six months.

[FirebirdHatesRice]

My best advice would be first, to get the flush kit from autozone. You have to cut your heater core hose and splice into it, but it's totally worth it. It allows you to do a complete backflush of your entire cooling system...worked great for me at getting most of the crud out. Also, Buy some Prestone cooling system cleaner, it comes in a yellow bottle. Basically, after the flush, you mix that with water and run it in your car for a few days, then do another flush...it really helps to clean out the stuff thats stuck. Hope this helps you out.

[White95]

Can you explain the heater core hose stuff more? Do I need to buy a new heater core hose once its all said and done? Also were is your heater core hose at (Stupid question I know but I don't want to cut the wrong hose)?

[crasher]

I don't know about you but I get my cooling system power flushed every 6 months every since I had a really bad episode and had to replace 3 gaskets on my car and had it in the shop for over a week.

[FirebirdHatesRice]

Originally posted by White95:
Can you explain the heater core hose stuff more? Do I need to buy a new heater core hose once its all said and done? Also were is your heater core hose at (Stupid question I know but I don't want to cut the wrong hose)?

Basically, this kit has you cut into the heater core hose at the top of the engine. You put a piece in between the cut hose that lets you hook a water hose up and flush water through your cooling system. It is secured on through hose clamps, so once it's on it can stay there without any problems...also making future flushes easier. If you'd like, I can take a few pictures when I get home to show what I'm talking about.

[White95]

Pictures would be nice, Thanks!!!!

[Distephano]

Yeah, flush and change your coolant once a year.

That 4 times a year seems a bit excesive, but whatever floats your boat. Its sure not gonna hurt anything.

[Christian]

...I hate rice too Firebird. And yea you hit the nail on the head, the hose @ the top is your heater hose and that's the backflush system I was talking about. One time and it's there for future flushes. The package has very good directions on the back, so you can't mess up. The whole process shouldn't take you 20 minutes bruh.