GMC 1500, thermostat/coolant replacement. Advice anyone?

[kherman]

I have to replace the thermostat in my truck this weekend. I already have the haynes manual. I just conquered new brake pads and the replacment of one rotor, on the front end.

my truck:
1996 GMC 1500 extended cab. 2 wheel drive. 4.3 liter V6.

Questions:
- What do I need other than the new thermostat (gaskets, sealants, etc)?
- Also, do I really have to drain some of the coolant from the radiator as the haynes manual states?

UPDATE:
I will also be replacin the coolant. So the question is, where do I dispose of the old DexCool??? Can i just use old milk cartons (plastic) to hold the old stuff temporarily?

Thanks again,
Karl

 

[Pepsi90919]

on my 2 cars it's right where the top heater hose meets the block at the top, and i don't drain the coolant. it seems to drain itself a little bit but stops shortly and that's it.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Coolant green or DexCool orange..if green Prestone type..how old is it..if more than 3 yrs ..excellent opportunity to put fresh as regular antifreeze loses its efficacy Q did I say that ..?

) over time ..read the antifreeze jug also most green type uses silicates that form deposits and settle out of suspension..uh..I'll shutup now

 

[kherman]

Originally posted by: ScrapSilicon
Coolant green or DexCool orange..if green Prestone type..how old is it..if more than 3 yrs ..excellent opportunity to put fresh as regular antifreeze loses its efficacy Q did I say that ..?

) over time ..read the antifreeze jug also most green type uses silicates that form deposits and settle out of suspension..uh..I'll shutup now

I have Dex Cool. It's good for 150K miles or 5 years. Whatever comes first. I'm at 6 years right now (90K miles). Maybe it's a good time to put new coolant in. Good point.

OK, everyone! This weekend. Major work is being done on my truck !!! Wooot

 

[etech]

Replace the hoses while you are at it. It's cheap insurance that they won't blow out on you and leave you stranded.

I wouldn't try to remove the block plugs. The chances are they are rusted solid. You might want to try one of the Prestone tees in the heater line. You splice them in and hook up a garden hose. With the thermostat removed it will flush the system pretty well.

Many of the autoparts stores and I'm pretty sure even Wal-Mart will take the used anti-freeze. Milk jug will work to transport it.

Plan on taking the overflow tank off and washing it out, it collects a lot of sediment over the years. Flush the small line going to the overflow tank out also.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: kherman

Originally posted by: ScrapSilicon
Coolant green or DexCool orange..if green Prestone type..how old is it..if more than 3 yrs ..excellent opportunity to put fresh as regular antifreeze loses its efficacy Q did I say that ..?

) over time ..read the antifreeze jug also most green type uses silicates that form deposits and settle out of suspension..uh..I'll shutup now

I have Dex Cool. It's good for 150K miles or 5 years. Whatever comes first. I'm at 6 years right now (90K miles). Maybe it's a good time to put new coolant in. Good point.

OK, everyone! This weekend. Major work is being done on my truck !!! Wooot

enjoy flushing the hell out of it as well...DexCool has its own sludge(not sure what it is..) you'll see this brownish red rust looking deposits/powder ...drain and dispose of properly the old coolant then refill with regular straight water ..run for about 10 to 15 minutes ..drain ..then do the thremostat ..then do the coolant change out following the jug's mixing ratio for your vehicle's coolant capacity..found in owner's manual ..I got lost over here in OT.. back to HotDeals forum p.s. never mix green with DexCool forms a mild acidic ..aluminum and acids ..well..

they..errr...uhm..react

 

[kherman]

Originally posted by: ScrapSilicon

Originally posted by: kherman

Originally posted by: ScrapSilicon
Coolant green or DexCool orange..if green Prestone type..how old is it..if more than 3 yrs ..excellent opportunity to put fresh as regular antifreeze loses its efficacy Q did I say that ..?

) over time ..read the antifreeze jug also most green type uses silicates that form deposits and settle out of suspension..uh..I'll shutup now

I have Dex Cool. It's good for 150K miles or 5 years. Whatever comes first. I'm at 6 years right now (90K miles). Maybe it's a good time to put new coolant in. Good point.

OK, everyone! This weekend. Major work is being done on my truck !!! Wooot

enjoy flushing the hell out of it as well...DexCool has its own sludge(not sure what it is..) you'll see this brownish red rust looking deposits/powder ...drain and dispose of properly the old coolant then refill with regular straight water ..run for about 10 to 15 minutes ..drain ..then do the thremostat ..then do the coolant change out following the jug's mixing ratio for your vehicle's coolant capacity..found in owner's manual ..I got lost over here in OT.. back to HotDeals forum p.s. never mix green with DexCool forms a mild acidic ..aluminum and acids ..well..

they..errr...uhm..react

Is this the kind o thing I can easliy do? Or should I take it to a shop? How many hours will this take and how difficult is it going to be?

I'm also concerned with the factthat DexCool is a poison.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

do it yourself as most shops hardly ever do a flush and fill anymore they (most of them..) are about quick turnarounds on the procedures and ..yes..it will take a little time to do about 2 hrs if done thoroughly but it is a relatively simple procedure.. <edit> 2 hr labor rate is a minimum $100 saved

 

[Pepsi90919]

ethylene glycol is a poison, there's nothing more poisonous in dexcool than regular antifreeze.



btw clean up spills if you have pets, they will be after it.

 

[tcsenter]

I owned a 1994 GMC Sierra and replaced the thermostat but it had a 5.7L 350ci. I doubt there's much of a difference, the thermostat housing should be part of the intake manifold.

Questions:
- What do I need other than the new thermostat (gaskets, sealants, etc)?

New hose clamps, gasket sealer (can't remember what I used, just look on the labeling to make sure its compatible with coolant/antifreeze, and don't over do the sealant).

Also, do I really have to drain some of the coolant from the radiator as the haynes manual states?

You do if you want to avoid spillage. I made this mistake and about three damned quarts of coolant poured out onto the cement. It just kept coming out of the housing/manifold. Its better to overdrain it than underdrain it.

I would recommend having it flushed and filled somewhere that has one of those power flushing units. It was only like $50 when I had it done. Then you don't have to worry about disposal.

 

[kherman]

Originally posted by: tcsenter
I owned a 1994 GMC Sierra and replaced the thermostat but it had a 5.7L 350ci. I doubt there's much of a difference, the thermostat housing should be part of the intake manifold.

Questions:
- What do I need other than the new thermostat (gaskets, sealants, etc)?

New hose clamps, gasket sealer (can't remember what I used, just look on the labeling to make sure its compatible with coolant/antifreeze, and don't over do the sealant).

Also, do I really have to drain some of the coolant from the radiator as the haynes manual states?

You do if you want to avoid spillage. I made this mistake and about three damned quarts of coolant poured out onto the cement. It just kept coming out of the housing/manifold. Its better to overdrain it than underdrain it.

I would recommend having it flushed and filled somewhere that has one of those power flushing units. It was only like $50 when I had it done. Then you don't have to worry about disposal.

hehehe, I think hte hanes manual says to remove 3 quarts of coolant before going after the thermostat

 

[tcsenter]

hehehe, I think hte hanes manual says to remove 3 quarts of coolant before going after the thermostat

I did drain about 2 quarts, but there was still pressure in the system, pushing the coolant out as soon as I broke the hose loose from the thermostat housing outlet. I don't know how you'd go about relieving the pressure inside the water jacket. I drained 2 quarts and took the radiator cap off, still came pouring out.

 

[kherman]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

hehehe, I think hte hanes manual says to remove 3 quarts of coolant before going after the thermostat

I did drain about 2 quarts, but there was still pressure in the system, pushing the coolant out as soon as I broke the hose loose from the thermostat housing outlet. I don't know how you'd go about relieving the pressure inside the water jacket. I drained 2 quarts and took the radiator cap off, still came pouring out.

Oh boy, this sounds like I'm going to have fun Worried about my (stupid) dogs drinking any spillage.