Coolant change time questions

[ScarabEpic22]

hey everyone, I need to do a coolant change today (i mean today) and wonder if I should do the thermostat too. My TB is 5.5yr old now, but does that mean I need to do the thermostat?

I plan on draining the radiator, then filling with distilled H2O, running, draining, repeating 1x, then filling with dexcool to get a 50-50 mix. Any tips?

[gmcman]

Honestly, if it were me...I would change the stat just to be sure you have a fresh system considering the age. They don't last forever and I would change the hoses also, 6-7 years is the norm for rubber.

[ScarabEpic22]

OK, thanks man.

What is the pt # for the 02 I6 t-stat? And hoses?

[ghoster]

OK, thanks man.

What is the pt # for the 02 I6 t-stat? And hoses?

from what I have read, that t-stat can be fun to reach. Take some pics of it still on the truck.... and for that matter once you get it out. I am curious to see what it looks like after 5 years.:cool:

[Alexander]

As I could remember with my previous car (a Mercedes), I took new Mercedes Benz Thermostat ( http://www.eurobzparts.com/mercedes-benz-thermostat/ ) along with the coolant change, even if it is still working well with 6 yrs of service since the car really works better with new parts coordinating, even the hoses.

[tblazed]

I plan on draining the radiator, then filling with distilled H2O, running, draining, repeating 1x...Any tips? I would fill and drain with distilled water 3 times, not once. 3 times and the water will be pretty much clear. Based on my experience doing exactly that.

[unkljon]

I would swap the stat out also, I have new stat I am going to put in within the next few months when i do a fluid flush. Its an aftermarket one i got from a vendor that does not even sell them to consumers, i believe its a 180 degree. I know the alternator needs to come off to get to the bolts...fun

[rbarrios]

i thought the concensus was not to use 180 deg thermostats on the new engines?- because of emissions and computer issues.
Only the tuned maybe?
but id stick with OEM.

[ScarabEpic22]

Since Im in a time crunch (work 5am-3:30pm and home at 4:30) and am leaving on Thurs pm after work for the cabin, I dont think Im going to have ~3hrs to do the t-stat plus another hour or two for the flush. Guess this is going to happen when I get back next week or next weekend. Maybe I will just bite the bullet and get brakes too.

[LMMJ]

I would swap the stat out also, I have new stat I am going to put in within the next few months when i do a fluid flush. Its an aftermarket one i got from a vendor that does not even sell them to consumers, i believe its a 180 degree. I know the alternator needs to come off to get to the bolts...fun

I read somewhere on trailvoy that the I6's t-stat should NOT be messed with.

[ScarabEpic22]

I read somewhere on trailvoy that the I6's t-stat should NOT be messed with.

Completely agree, the I6 runs much hotter by design than regular Gm Vx series motors (the LS2 runs at what, like 185F stock? The I6 is about 203-207F). Changing the t-stat will mess with emissions and performance, I would not recommend doing it.

Ohh, and has anyone used one of those Prestone Back-Flush kits? I bought one (not opened it yet though) along with a coolant concentration tester to see if I wanted/needed to use it as the concept is good and you dont have to continually warm up and cool off the car to flush the system. However you do have to use a garden hose and tap water (Seattle water is pretty good though, not hard at all) so since I have 10gal of distilled I was thinking of flushing it then reflushing the tap water with distilled then adding Dexcool. Comments, opinions? Do I absolutely need distilled water?

[Blazernut]

Ohh, and has anyone used one of those Prestone Back-Flush kits? I bought one (not opened it yet though) along with a coolant concentration tester to see if I wanted/needed to use it as the concept is good and you dont have to continually warm up and cool off the car to flush the system. However you do have to use a garden hose and tap water (Seattle water is pretty good though, not hard at all) so since I have 10gal of distilled I was thinking of flushing it then reflushing the tap water with distilled then adding Dexcool. Comments, opinions? Do I absolutely need distilled water?

With the fabulous water we have up at his end of the continent it is not a problem. Run the hose with the kit until it is crystal clear. Drain it all out, close it up and you can run your distilled water in it to remove any chlorine remnants and then drain it.

Add your 50/50 Dex mix and and check concentration but leave room to adjust.:)

[tblazed]

Add your 50/50 Dex mix and and check concentration but leave room to adjust.:)

Don't use a 50/50 mix. Use straight Dex. Reason being, there will remain about 7 quarts of water in the cooling system after you get done flushing it. Add 7 quarts of pure Dex and you will have your 50/50 mix.

Then I make up a 50/50 mix with the quart or so that remains of the two gallons of Dex I started with, for putting into the reservoir and topping off.

[ScarabEpic22]

Thanks guys, and yea the NW has really good H2O compared to most of the country. I have 10gal of distilled (maybe I will do the parent's cars too) water and 2gal of straight Dex-Cool (Prestone brand). Not gonna happen this week, but planning on next weekend for sure.