1997 chevy lumina coolant flush

[cfrank2]

I just got done changing the LIM gaskets on my lumina and i have a few questions about changing the coolant. After i flush and drain the radiator i was going to fill the radiator with distilled water run and drain that and then refill with straight dexcool, this would only work if about half of the coolant capacity is in the radiator? Im doing this because i dont know how you would use the 50/50 predilluted because if you just refilled the radiator there would still be mostly water in the block so there would be more than 50% water.

Thanks

[jeffcoslacker]

Just use straight Dex...you can go as high as 75/25 Dex and water, so it would be about right, most likely.

The cooling system capacity is pretty small on them. You know about the bleeding procedure, yes?

[cfrank2]

If there is a special bleeding procedure for this car, then no i dont know. So it would be safe to just put straight dexcool in the radiator and let it mix with the distilled water in the block to get a 50/50 mix?

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by cfrank2

If there is a special bleeding procedure for this car, then no i dont know. So it would be safe to just put straight dexcool in the radiator and let it mix with the distilled water in the block to get a 50/50 mix?

That's how I'd do it. Your results may vary If your mix tests a little strong, just let a pint or so out and replace with water. I think it will be fine though.

You have to have both bleeders open when filling, one on the thermostat housing, one above the water pump at the bypass pipe. Close them, let it run about10 minutes while watching the gauge. Shut it off once the radiator gets warmed up nice, then let sit for an hour or so, until the pressure goes away.

Then refill with bleeders open again, close it up and take a drive, watching the gauge.

There's other methods, I just find that works best for me.

[McLin]

Originally Posted by cfrank2

If there is a special bleeding procedure for this car, then no i dont know. So it would be safe to just put straight dexcool in the radiator and let it mix with the distilled water in the block to get a 50/50 mix?

I would not take distilled water, because the rust come faster, there are no minerales in, and the water takes it from the metal on radiator...

Just a tip...