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Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinions

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M

myspitfire

Jedi Warrior
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Message for Andy;or anyone on the subject of diy coolant changes at home.I've heard many approches,on the issue but what is the most effective way to do the job without causing to much concern about,long term/short term damage.Some say no power purges/back flushes etc etc.I have no petcock at the bottom so opening the hose & letting gravity do the job,does that get it all?Using cleaners,is that recommended.....Just looking for a general consenses on what is best for these cars.I have a late model Spit 1500..Gonna be very nice tomorrow so Whitelightning will be hootin & bootin on the 2-lane asphalt.TIA Ken
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
Re: Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinion

Is your current coolant green or full of rust?

Can you verify if this has ever been done?

Does your heater work now as far as getting hot?

Do you currently have any overheating issues?

When was your thermostat last replaced?

Let's start from there, oh, and how many miles are on the car?
 
Re: Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinion

I'm with Paul, especially on this point:[ QUOTE ]
Can you verify if this has ever been done?

[/ QUOTE ]Offhand, I'd say that if you don't know when it was last done, it's probably worth doing again. I'm not a big fan of power flushing, but I've no qualms about lots and lots of "garden hose" flushing of the system...and that all-important block drain area (my own cooling system maintenance "mantra"). /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Re: Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinion

1.Coolant is normal color no rust issues
2.coolant was changed at rebuild in 2004
3.heater/blower work fine
4.no overheating issues needle is straight up at road speed
5.new thermo at rebuild
running the lower aircowl on spoiler w/slanted radiator 1979-80 Spitfire
amend;i have never attempted to DIY the coolant /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/square.gif.....All other maint i'm accustomed to. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.giftia
 
Re: Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinion

You're in very good shape to start with. Antifreeze never actually wears out. The only things that cause issues are contamination when the rust inhibitor and added lubricants break down after time and the resultants are the rust that then causes issues with the added water pump and seal lubricants and the change of color from green to brown.

Antifreeze, no matter how old, will always be resistant to freezing, but that capacity will diminish with the higher percentage of contaminants.

Feel free to just drain and change as far as I'm concerned.
 
Re: Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinion

Just got a 2007 truck (GMC) and was advised it has antifreeze good for the life of the car, never needing to be changed. Maybe the life is not long expected?
 
Re: Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinion

That's what I was told when I first bought my Saturn in '96. The system is filled with "Dex-cool", that's supposed to last forever. Well, as it turns out, there were a lot of problems with the early Dex-cool stuff. Apparently if any air got into the system, there would be major degradation of the coolant and rust inhibitors. I had this happen to my Saturn after about three years. Real messy stuff came out of there. I now have traditional anti-freeze in there, and just change it every few years and it still looks good when it comes out.

From what I've heard lately, GM has reformulated the Dex-cool, and it's supposed to take care of the problems it had in the past. However, I would be very cautious here. It seems to me that changing coolant every few years is good maintenance no matter what the manufacturer says.
 
Re: Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinion

Thanks Paul,Andy & friends...I just wasn't sure how to go about it here at home;Should i do anything with the heater,or radiator cap before i brake open the bottom hose?
 
Re: Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinion

I will defer to those more familiar with the Spitfires in case there is a trick or two to making the job easier and getting a better result.

Normally, you could pull the stat, replace the housing, open the heater water valve, then open the petcocks sequentially on the block and radiator and just run water through from a hose until everything runs clean.
 
Re: Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinion

Removing the thermostat & closing the housing up is a good idea,but then i don't have the bottom radiator petcock.And the block petcocks i'm not sure where their located.In all regards things were pointed out here i hadn't thought of & will do that.I guess its all about common sense and very grateful for the advice.I was hoping to get at this today,the weather was just great BUT as usual another priority came up about installing a garden trellis near the back porch & some mowing/trimming action & other stuff as the weather here in Ohio is fast closing in heavy temperature drop & rain tomorrow puts me just inside the garage overhang for THIS LBC fun,Plus changing the oil to boot,so i'll be busy tomorrow...Thanks my friends /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Re: Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinion

A late Spitfire is not likely to have a "petcock" on the block, but it will have a drain plug. It's usually brass, hex-head, maybe 3/4", and on the RH side of the engine block towards the back and maybe half-way down. Watch for a paper or fiber washer on it; it might be in poor shape, in which case a trip to the local hardware store with the plug will find something that you can use to replace it.
 
Re: Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinion

[ QUOTE ]
1.Coolant is normal color no rust issues
2.coolant was changed at rebuild in 2004
3.heater/blower work fine
4.no overheating issues needle is straight up at road speed
5.new thermo at rebuild
running the lower aircowl on spoiler w/slanted radiator 1979-80 Spitfire
amend;i have never attempted to DIY the coolant /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/square.gif.....All other maint i'm accustomed to. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.giftia

[/ QUOTE ]

If all this looks normal, why drain the system at all, especially if you aren't having cooling problems and the fluid looks good?

Antifreeze, especially in a car that probably doesn't get that much use, will last for years. Oil, on the other hand, should be changed about as often as you change your underwear.


On the subject of Dexcool, I have changed 4 radiators on my 2 S10 pickups (96,97) because of Dexcool. Finally had to have a total system flush by a radiator shop to scrub the inside of the block to fix the "sludge" problem that the early Dexcool caused. An GM refuses to acknowlege the problem. Bummer.


Also, if you do drop the coolant on you Spit, make sure that you bring it to a proper recycler for disposal. This stuff is deadly in the environment. Also, great for killing cats. Woops, I didn't really say that.


Bill
 
Re: Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinion

Related to this topic, what coolant are people using? I was planning to stick with good ol' standard green Prestone for my TR6. However it appears to no longer be available having been replaced with the Extended Life yellow variety. I seem to remember reading to stay away from extended life coolants, but this may have been referring to DexCool type coolants. Any thoughts?
 
Re: Changing coolant in an LBC,looking for opinion

Not sure what the problem is. Maybe they are hiding the green stuff under the counter?

In this area, nearly every corner store has the "old" Ethylene Glycol still. In fact several of the car manufacturers specifically warn not to use Propylene Glycol/Dex coolants in newer cars. GM excepted.

If the back of the jug says Ethylene Glycol not Propylene Glycol, you are good to go.
D
 
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