Draining and Filling

WARNING: To avoid the danger of being burned, do not remove the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are still hot. Scalding fluid and steam will be blown out under pressure, possibly causing personal injury.

1. Remove radiator cap when engine is completely cool.





2. Loosen drain plug at the bottom of the radiator and drain coolant into a holding tank. Dispose of used coolant in a proper fashion, i.e., in a used coolant holding tank which is picked up along with used oil. NEVER POUR USED COOLANT DOWN THE DRAIN. Ethylene glycol antifreeze is a very toxic chemical; disposing of it into the sewer system or ground water is ecologically unsound!
3. Remove, clean and reinstall the coolant recovery reservoir.
4. When all the coolant has drained, tighten the radiator drain plug.
5. Fill the cooling system with clean water.
6. Run the engine until the thermostat opens (when the coolant is circulating through the system and both radiator hoses are hot to the touch).
7. Stop engine. Repeat steps one through seven until the drained water is clear and free of coolant and/or rust.
8. Tighten radiator drain plug.
9. Fill the cooling system with a least a 50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol antifreeze and water-but not more than 70% antifreeze.
10. Fill the radiator to just below the radiator cap.
11. Fill the coolant recovery reservoir to the specified fill mark on the outside of the reservoir.

CAUTION: Use ethylene glycol antifreeze meeting GM specifications 1825-M to provide the required freezing and corrosion protection: -37° C (-34° F).

12. Run the engine with the radiator cap removed until normal operating temperature is reached (both radiator hoses become hot).
13. With the engine idling, add the coolant mixture until it reaches just below the radiator cap.
14. Install radiator cap; align cap ears with coolant overflow hose.

CAUTION: Alcohol or methanol-based coolants are not recommended at any time. A solution of higher than a 70/30 mixture of antifreeze-to-water should never be used. The solution freezing point increases after this point.