03' Radiator peacock?

[traildude]

So i have done some research and apparently GM doesnt have a peacock on the radiator for an 03'? So i was wondering what do you guys do? Just take it somewhere? Im a guy that likes to do it himself but what were they thinking? I just bought this stuff http://www.kwickkool.com/ its an radiator additive, check out the video tell me what you think. Gonna put that stuff and the gm dex-cool. Was thinking about putting in a new t-stat, how long do you guys think t-stats last?

[jspool]

From reading your post I found a helpful link http://www.birminghamzoo.com/image_gallery/hi_res/peacock.jpg

[MTPockets]

Yeah, only the LTZ models had the full-fledged radiator peacock package.:p Seriously tho- I think you mean radiator petcock or draincock. GM deleted them on later years along with the decontenting of many of the other niceties. The lower radiator hose is super easy to get at and remove anyway.

G/luck
Joel

[tblazed]

(Thought you'd hit a peacock and the poor bird was lodged in your radiator!)

I have one of these...

http://www.tooltopia.com/ProductImages/lis-mo/MIT-7400.jpg

Mityvac 7400


Makes changing fluids easier. And I have a draincock on my 2002.

[traildude]

haha i like the link whoever did that, it was petcock my bad doesnt really matter. but when do t-stats go out? im at 50000 miles right now. check out that demo on my link tho

[glfredrick]

Just pull the lower hose. That is what most mechanics do anyway. They get paid by the hour and don't waste time with that little drizzle from the petcock.

I've done some work with the pros, and the independents are telling me that dex-cool is problematic once it hits 70-100K miles. They are doing a LOT of repair work -- having to replace almost ALL of the aluminum in the heating/cooling system, as the acids developped long term are eating it away. This even goes to replacing engine heads!

The dealerships will seldom see a vehicle that has that many miles on it, as they mainly focus on warranty work (36K).

I'm taking the advice of several trusted pros and changing my dex-cool to something else.

Note that you have to purchase a COMPATIBLE anti-freeze solution to replace the dex-cool. If you just dump any old anti-freeze into the system you will have more problems. Permatex, for one, has a compatible anti-freeze solution that is not dex-cool based. That is what I am going to use.

On the additives, I've seen some fairly drastic results (15-20 degrees) from some of them. Typically, they are surface tension reducers, which breaks the surface tension of the anti-freeze/H20 solution so it better conforms to the surfaces it rides against. This will allow better contact, which in turn better transfers the heat to the radiator (also better contact) to shed the heat to the air. I've run several in other vehicles, and I'm planning on running something of this nature when I make the switch from the dex-cool.

[traildude]

yah that would make sense on the dex-cool, thinking it would last 5 years or 100 k is a little funny. Any one know where to dispose of the coolant?

[glfredrick]

In my area the city will take properly handled disposals at their recycling headquarters. Also, most chain auto parts stores will take in oil and anti-freeze in gallon-sized quantities.

[tblazed]

(Thought you'd hit a peacock and the poor bird was lodged in your radiator!)

I have one of these...

http://www.tooltopia.com/ProductImages/lis-mo/MIT-7400.jpg

Mityvac 7400


Makes changing fluids easier. And I have a draincock on my 2002.

Update- Just got done replacing the fan clutch. My Mityvac helped, but I could not get a tube down in the radiator very far to empty it, so I get to try out my 2002's draincock in the morning when I finish up. The Mityvac was useful for getting out enough coolant to take loose the upper radiator hose, and I cleaned out the reservoir while I was at it since I will be flushing and refilling with new coolant tomorrow.

[ghoster]

I was expecting a radiator with feathers....what a let down.:D

[green4191]

Yank the lower hose off, Try not to burn yourself!!!!!!

[tblazed]

Yank the lower hose off, Try not to burn yourself!!!!!!

Depends what's easier. My '02 has the drain so I guess I ought to try it at least. Looks like it will run staight out the bottom into a pan without a spill.