AntiFreeze

[xlr8nflorida]

If you are running 50/50 mix, what is the protection level?

I'm getting +5 degrees on my 93 LT1.

Does that sound right? I'm thinking it should be -30 or so.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by xlr8nflorida

If you are running 50/50 mix, what is the protection level?

I'm getting +5 degrees on my 93 LT1.

Does that sound right? I'm thinking it should be -30 or so.

-30 for South Dakota.....not for Florida
5 deg should be fine for you and definitely more protection level than you need.
You would prolly use antifreeze more for rust protection than for freezing protection

[xlr8nflorida]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

-30 for South Dakota.....not for Florida
5 deg should be fine for you and definitely more protection level than you need.
You would prolly use antifreeze more for rust protection than for freezing protection

I agree and where I am now with the car its going down to 20.

I'm just wondering if the antifreeze lost some of its Zing. I'm thinking its time to change it anyway and give it some fresh mix.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by xlr8nflorida

I agree and where I am now with the car its going down to 20.

I'm just wondering if the antifreeze lost some of its Zing. I'm thinking its time to change it anyway and give it some fresh mix.

If you change out antifreeze...here are three threads for you

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/...+refill+method

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/...ead.php?t=3213

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/...ad.php?t=10777

[xlr8nflorida]

Originally Posted by Dynomite

If you change out antifreeze...here are three threads for you

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/...+refill+method

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/...ead.php?t=3213

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/...ad.php?t=10777

Thanks, I now have a headache

Can someone give me the cliffs of the acceptable antifreeze?

For example, I can go to NAPA and get the green stuff, what is the part # and I need 2 jugs right?

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by xlr8nflorida

Thanks, I now have a headache

Can someone give me the cliffs of the acceptable antifreeze?

For example, I can go to NAPA and get the green stuff, what is the part # and I need 2 jugs right?

I don't have a part number, but the labeling identifies the 1825M spec and also specifies there are silicates in the antifreeze. It's a NAPA brand and they usually have jugs of it available. Mine is in a blue jug.

[Dynomite]

Originally Posted by xlr8nflorida

If you are running 50/50 mix, what is the protection level?

I'm getting +5 degrees on my 93 LT1.

Does that sound right? I'm thinking it should be -30 or so.

You need to check specific gravity of coolant using an inexpensive Floating Ball Tester (Hydrometer) you can get at any auto parts store. You suck up some coolant (cold) directly from radiator or coolant overflow system into the clear tube and observe the number of floating balls to determine the degree of protection. The accuracy is within 8 to 10 deg.

[tomtom72]

Jim,

sorry to be blunt, but toss the coolant. It's shot if you are sure that you did a 50/50 mix the last time it was changed out! Unless you were adding along the way using just water and not a 50/50 mix for top off's?

You do have a fav local chevy store that you use regularly for parts? Get them to order the GM stuff, 4 gallons per case, they should be okay with a one case order. You will have enough stock to do two flush & refills which will get you 4 yrs down the road. GM p/n = 12378560

Sorry I can't help with the NAPA p/n's.


Tom

[tomtom72]

Hi, Mr. Dynomite.....my name is Tom ( aka tomtom72 ) nice to meet you. You are?

In answer to your Q: emphatically YES. Every two yrs, even the O.O. of my car did it that way.
I flush with tap water, re-flush with steam D'ed water, and refill with fresh GM coolant and change the stat & o-ring. If the O-ring is deformed, which happens sometimes as it's a pia to get it centered in the stat opening exactly.

I fully realize that this will make me appear to be somewhat "out where the buses don't run", but to me my time is cheaper than a head gasket job. The issue at hand is the nature of silicated coolant. As it "wears out" the silicates drop off of the stuff they are supposed to attach themselves to for protection against corrosion. When they become liquid borne they can clog small passages in the heater core and build up at the bottom of the water jackets around the cylinder sleeves. Generally this is not so good for the long term health of a motor, and with our open deck configuration I feel that it could yield very bad things later on in the life span of my motor.

I know I don't have any hard evidence to support this hypothetical ( the silicates do drop off & float ) situation. It is one of the things in my PM schedule that gives me some degree of confidence that at least I try to be diligent in the care of my LT5.... ....again, I proly could use a tune up for my brain or at least some time on the couch!


Tom

[tomtom72]

Cliff, pleased to meet you!




I'm sorry to seem to be a bit forward. It's just that I prefer to use a person's name when I "talk" with them. I'm just not "with it" enough to address people I feel I know by using their screen name.


Tom