Antifreeze/Coolant Change Intervals
 

I have a question for you guys that I'm sure have more experience than me related to car things. I have a 1978 K5 Blazer that I had the antifreeze/coolant changed in 2022 with Prestone's longer engine life coolant (10 year or 300,000 mile guarantee). Now I know I'm never going to approach 300,000 miles. My question is do you think this antifreeze/coolant would be alright to leave in for say 5 years? I've often heard that the anti freezing and anti boil over properties last for decades. It's what is added that wears out over time or mileage, such as anti-corrosives and lubricants that require the frequent changes. My owner's manual says to change the antifreeze/coolant every 2 years, but I'm sure today's are much improved over 47 years ago. I drive the Blazer no more than 500 miles a year.

What do you guys think? Any advice appreciated.

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Myself, I would change it out after 5 years. It's not a hard job to do and not expensive

I’d at last drain out the Rad and replace, the coolant, there is water pump lube in the coolant that’s prob wore out. Plus a good time to clean up the overflow bottle too, I cane up,w/ a process to clean the inside nice.

How old is that can? I don't remember Prestone in anything but their bright yellow containers, metal then plastic.

.. You must be a young guy if you don't remember the can before they used plastic jugs price is $1.49

Speaking of old guys... I have these, left over from my dealership days.

To the OP's question, I agree with the 5 years rule.

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FWIW - I drain and refill the radiators in the old cars every fall (just did the Chevelle last Saturday). I only put 200-400 miles on each car during the season. Only takes about 20-30 minutes for each car and I feel it's cheap insurance for heater cores and radiators. I use the concentrated anti freeze and distilled water mixed 50/50.

I'm 74, but I honestly don't remember Prestone in a red metal can. Maybe I just wasn't paying attention back in the day. Did it come in a yellow metal can ever, before the yellow plastic ones? Yellow metal cans seem to stick in my mind.

I think ZEREX came in the yellow or gold can, I think the anti-freeze went to plastic jugs when the motor oil also went from cans to plastic bottles

And I thought I was over the top. I salute you my friend:worship: To your point Jake, it is cheap insurance. FWIW, coolant can get an electrical charge to it (aluminum, poor grounds, etc.) That will raise hell with both the radiator and the heater core, to say nothing for everything else!

I also change brake fluid every 5 years (or sooner)

I’ve never used a add on water pump lube, but I’ve seen it

Do you bleed the brakes too or just remove brake fluid from master cylinder and refill?

Not sure what Tim does but on the old cars I've been using a turkey baster to suction out the fluid in the master and just refill it every year. On the daily's I take to Brad and have him flush every 4-5 years.

I'll suck the fluid out of the master reservoir, replace it with fresh fluid, and then just do a gravity bleed. It's about a 3 beer event:beers:

I might have to come up dare and have you show me how to do it............:beers:

And when the job is done...go for a ride...and then make an appearance at the Boulder Beer Bar :beers::beers:

I went to Dot 5, it’s been in there 24 years. Wonder if that needs a flush.

We can hatch a plan at MCACN:beers: