OUTAKTRL

Whas up brothers. I'm going to do a coolant drain and refill on my 2002 VETTE in the next week or 2. Right now the coolant level in the surge tank is a little bellow the full line. Will it be safe to add a little water to the surge tank just to fill it up until I change out the dexcool ? Thx for any info.

ArtClassShank

I'm sure it'd be fine. Not going beneath freezing I'd imagine. As far as long term, it'd be a bad idea. But if you're just looking to get by, you'll be fine.

3RD-INF

I changed my water pump and all the hoses last week on my 2002. Went to open the petcock and drain the system. Things went south from there. Long story short. Be very careful not to break the radiator housing that the petcock sits in. The housing is plastic. Broke mine trying to pull out the petcock, after I turned it counterclock wise a half of a turn. It was like don't breathe on it. Crappy design. Plastic gets old and should never be used in a radiator. Hind sight.
pull the lower hose off to drain. Leave that booby trap alone.

Smoken1

You are only supposed to turn the petcock a 1/4 turn to drain the radiator

bobs77vet

yes that plastic drain is finicky......I let it drizzle out at an abysmal pace but didn't want to screw with to much in fear of breaking it

leadfoot4

Unfortunately, you learned the hard way, that the petcock isn't designed to be removed. As "Smoken1" posted, you only turn the valve 1/4 turn, and let it drain.

OUTAKTRL

Thx for the advice guys. The weather is finally warming up here in NYC. And the amount of water I need to add to the radiator surge tank is very minimal. Maybe a half a cup. Just wanted to be sure. Don't wanna mess up something on my sexy evil beast !! Lol.

leadfoot4

One other tip.....the LS engine block doesn't have any drain plugs, like older Chevy engines did.

WetMountainMan

Is there a difference between Zerex Dex-cool and AC Delco Dex-cool?

Vox Machina

There are most definitely block drain plugs on ls motors. they just aren't the easiest to access. the one on the passenger side is located just above and forward of the crank position sensor. large Allen (I think 32mm?) socket required. have to remove starter to get to it.

drivers side is just in front of the motor mount bolts. again a very large Allen is required.

plugs can be identified easily as I believe they are made of brass (that and the size is hard to miss)

leadfoot4

OK..............I thought I read somewhere that the LS block didn't have any. Must be what I read was incorrect. However, it sounds like they might as well be non-existent, if they're that difficult to access.

lionelhutz

I wouldn't bother with adding that little water. It will be fine a little low.

royal flush

autozone dexcool made by a major company as others are--buy the cheapest dexcool you can find--all the same