Hi guys, new to forum. sorry to start with a big list of questions.:


Have a 2000 C5 with only 22,ooo miles as a sunday drive.
I have never changed the coolant-bad owner!
thinking of dumping all coolant & doing a home "back flush" since i ignored the maintenance too long.
also thinking of replacing all hoses, just because of age?

The car dosn't overheat, but there must be some creatures living in that swamp after 8 years of neglect?

Q1, what is the best coolant for use in a corvette that gets driven only 1x a week, or sometimes 2x a month?
I live in So cal and its hot mostly,but once a year I drive up to ski in freezing temps.

Q2 is the prestone DIY "back flush kit" a good idea? or are the quick-lube shops that offer "super radiator flushes" better?

Q3 what is a good on-line discount? souse to order all the replacement hoses, not the cheapest place but a good site for price and service?

Thanks for any advice

DrJ

 

With only 22,000 miles on it, why change out the hoses. I know of C5 owners who have over 100,000 miles and their OEM hoses are fine. As far as coolant, take a look at a service manual regarding coolant changes. If you have to locate and bleed 6 different bleed fittings, chances are good that you'll have air pockets that'll cause higher-than-normal coolant temps. I stopped flushing my own coolant with my newer vehicles for two reasons - it's sometimes tough to find all the bleeds/get all the air outand I have nowhere to dump the coolant.

I had mine changed at the dealership with the factory Dexcool. I believe some people have had issues with this type of coolant, but I have always had good luck with it.

Dave

 

Thanks for your reply, I am the original owner and hope to keep my C5 many years.

So, hose replacement was only due to worry about age, as my C5 is now 8 yo, despite 22,000 miles, is there a practical age to wait for, say 10 years if hoses look good on exterior?
Does living in a moderate climate help with no super heat or freezing.

your advice about bleeding out pockets makes pressure flushes a good idea, rather than a DIY back flush.

What issues about the DEX-COOL? Again Iam not taking mine on the track.

Again any replies about your maintenance experiences is appreciated, as keeping my older C5 like new is part of the joy or ownership for me.

 

I concur with Dave. The Dex-Cool supposedly has caused premature rust, corrision and clogging in some GM vehicles. If you do not want to reuse the Dex-Cool, be sure to flush as much of it out, as you can,and then use regular anti-freeze.

 

Actually, George, in reading further about this, most "issues" were caused by very low coolant and in older cars, incompatible gaskets. There are few if any C5 Corvette owners who have had Dexcool since day one, who have had problems with it. The class-action suit does not include Corvettes, so I wouldn't worry. I had my Dexcool replaced (with more Dexcool) 2 years ago.

Dr J,

I live in San Diego and my experience is that rubber hoses can last 10 years or more. It does depend upon the number hot/cold cycles, which correspond in a way to how often you drive your car vs. simply how many miles it has accumulated.

My next maintenance item will be having the brake fluid flushed - it's overdue.

Dave

 

Great replies guys, very interesting info.

Ok, so maybe wait till 10 years on the hoses-fair enough. yes fewer hear cycles with only 22,000 miles as a sunday driver.
So dex cool makes sense as replacement choice as the factory stuff is still in there( ouch 8 yo!)

Is there any advice about "super flush" services, go to E-z lube and watch as they do it, making sure they bleed out air bubbles, or just chance it with the dealer?
Iam guessing I need a "super flush" as Ive ignored coolant maintenance so long and need to give it a good enema.

Next brake fluid, thanks for reminder

 

I would go to a dealer or a Corvette specialty shop. Many neighborhood garages don't get to work on any Corvettes; therefore, I wouldn't want them working on my car. I'll gladly pay a bit extra to have an experienced (with Corvettes) mechanic do the work.

Dave

 

thanks guys for direction. speciality shop makes perfect sense-duh!
any opinions as to "west coast corvett" in orange co?