paradigmGT

My 1999 Camaro SS 6-speed with 34k miles on it has a brownish / clayish substance on the dipstick. Also the low coolant level lamp has come on and stays on, even after topping up the system with a 50/50 mix of green prestone.

I have read here that the dexcool and green stuff shouldn't be mixed. I also been reading that I can remove the battery and then remove the Combination Battery Tray/Coolant Overflow Reservoir; once its out of the car, flush it with fresh water from a garden hose until you don't have any more "red wet clay" stuff coming out of it.

I would like to completely remove all the old coolant, is this the right method?
http://www.ls1.com/forums/f6/diy-coo...-flush-157898/

Also why would my low coolant lamp stay on even if the system is topped up?

Do I really need a new thermostat when flushing the system?

Will it be OK to use a power coolant flusher type machine on the LS1?

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

I would do a system flush, but you'll also want to remove the actual cause of your mucky coolant: power steering cooler. Here's everything you'll need to know: https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...uccess-23.html

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

Your sensor is bad. It's likely that this contamination has fouled the sensor or permanently ruined it. A cleaning may solve the problem. Otherwise, the sensor will need to be replaced.


No, but its a good idea to replace it while you have the system drained. It's such an inexpensive part that:
- It makes sense to replace the part pro-actively since it can strand you when it goes bad.
- You'll curse yourself if you need to drain your system in X months to replace it if it goes bad.

paradigmGT

Is the sensor the #3 item circled on this picture attached to the rad? If I replace it down the road would I need to drain the coolant again or can I simply pop it off and throw on another one without affecting the coolant?


Good call, Ill go ahead and replace. Now I need to figure out if I need to get the more expensive thermostat with the housing/seal or if I can get away with just buying the inside guts?

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

You need the entire housing setup unless you've replaced the water pump as the new pumps utilize the new style housing which allows for just the thermostat to be replaced.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

Remove the sensor and clean it, and do the coolant flush with the proper coolant. If the sensor still doesn't read correctly the just unplug it and strictly rely on monitoring your coolant temperature gauge like what was done after the low coolant sensor was eliminated in later model year Camaro's. if you still want to a tempt to use the low coolant sensor by replacing it, then just drain enough coolant into a smaller container to bring the coolant level down below the sensor then replace it and add the coolant you drained back into the radiator.

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

yep


You'd need to drain the coolant again, but I had a new sensor go bad on my after a few months and I just siphoned off the first couple inches of coolant from the top in to two milk jugs, so the level was below the sensor port. After I changed the sensor, I just poured the coolant back in.

Shhhhh.... Don't tell anyone. If some folks here find that I "reused" coolant, I might be labeled a heretic and a sinner.

Stan1911

You did what!

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

Ahhh. Don't ban me because I reused coolant.

Ban me because I **** in my oil. (It's my special secret additive. The urine dissolves inter-mollecular carbon deposits, I swear.)

paradigmGT

Well I flushed the system with the green antifreeze, and cleaned the sensor but the level sensor is still throwing a lamp. Ill just unplug it now and live without it.