89SupremeCutty Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 im changing the water pump in the lumi either on friday or sunday. i noticed for a couple months that there was an antifreeze smell comming from under the hood and i had no clue where till yesterday when i checked my oil. i noticed that there was some wetness behind the pump and on one of the bolts on the timing cover. i didn't have to add much antifreeze to the cooling system. i want to flush the system out after i put the new pump on. my question is can i use the universal antifreeze like the stuff for all makes and models or do i have to stick with dexcool? also there was some kind of gunk at the top of the radiator filler neck and in the resivior, should i worry about that? i'm also going to replace the thermostat while im under the hood. should i stick with the stock thermostat temp, or should i get a 180*? i see people go to a lower degree thermostat. why is that? to get the engine at operating temp quicker? or is there some kind of gain other than that? thanks for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismellrealbad Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 If you can grab dexcool, get it. Otherwise the yellow stuff should be fine. They should be similar in price. don't get 50/50 - your paying for half water. mix it yourself. I wouldn't worry about the gunk.....theres a specific reason why that happens I think. Just can't rememebr why. A 180 stat will pop open at 180* as oppsed to the stock one doing it at 195*. Coolant will start to flow sooner and and a lower temp which will keep you running a little cooler. I wouldnt go lower than 180* and I also wouldnt go out of your way to get one. If you can just get it right at the parts store than go for it. You'll need to remove the crossover to change the tstat on a 3100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89SupremeCutty Posted March 20, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 thanks for the info. i just asn't sure about the antifreeze cause i've never owned a vehicle with dexcool before. and i knew the thermostat at 180* would open sooner than a 195*. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88red4cyl Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Regardless of if you switch or not, make sure you flush your cooling system before you refill it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 a 180 degree t stat is a waste of time. and you can change it by removing the throttle body and using a wrench. I would get rid of the dexcool and get two bottles of Prestones pure antifreeze and two of pure distilled water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotrodolds Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 A 180* stat isn't a waste of time if you need a cooler running engine, due to boost, high compression, or what have you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89SupremeCutty Posted March 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 wouldn't changing from dexcool to green ruin something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1990lumina Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 wouldn't changing from dexcool to green ruin something? As long as you remove ALL of the dexcool is should be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88red4cyl Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 wouldn't changing from dexcool to green ruin something? As long as you remove ALL of the dexcool is should be fine Yep.. Just keep flushing until the water runs out clear, then you should be good to go... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 A 180* stat isn't a waste of time if you need a cooler running engine, due to boost, high compression, or what have you. I still think it is. I would only run a cooler tstat under such circumstances... and ONLY if the car was tuned to have the fans turn on sooner. no tuning = larger variances in temperature range = bad = don't do it without a tune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89SupremeCutty Posted March 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 i wasn't gonna change from a stock temp thermostat to a 180*. i was just curious as to why people put them in. i always knew it would open up earlier than a 195* or what have you. i just didn't know if there was some sort of performance gain from it. thanks for all the info guys. i still gotta go out and get all the parts and stuff and do a couple things and i shall update when i have it all installed and flushed and whatnot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotrodolds Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 A 180* stat isn't a waste of time if you need a cooler running engine, due to boost, high compression, or what have you. I still think it is. I would only run a cooler tstat under such circumstances... and ONLY if the car was tuned to have the fans turn on sooner. no tuning = larger variances in temperature range = bad = don't do it without a tune. Guess I'm OK, then. My fans come on pretty early now...it's NICE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89SupremeCutty Posted March 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 i changed the water pump, but didn't do the flush or the thermostat change cause i ran outta money. i forgot that these engines have the bleeder valve to let the air out of the cooling system. but all is well with the cooling system. definately this summer or when the wether gets nicer i will definately do a flush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfangd Posted March 22, 2008 Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 i have done 4 3100 thermostats, and although they are a pita i can do them just by removing the hose that goes to the throttle body. It works without too many special tools. I can say that you have to tip the housing up and out just right for removal and installation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89SupremeCutty Posted March 22, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2008 i saw it was buried next to the crossover and thought to myself good thing i forgot to buy the thermostat. i know getting the throttle body or the crossover off wouldn't be difficult. but come warmer wether, it will be replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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