Have I damaged my engine???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 8
From: Chichester, UK
I have read all the posts and made few changes to the How to change your coolant .
What do you think?
If everyone is happy with the changes perhaps it could be put up as a sticky for other members to avoid the same mistake I made.
P.S. We all learn from our mistakes, however clever people learn from mistakes of others!
What do you think?
If everyone is happy with the changes perhaps it could be put up as a sticky for other members to avoid the same mistake I made.
P.S. We all learn from our mistakes, however clever people learn from mistakes of others!
Draining and Filling Cooling System
Caution
With a pressurized cooling system, the coolant temperature in the radiator can be considerably higher than the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure. Removal of the surge tank cap, while the cooling system is hot and under high pressure, causes the solution to boil instantaneously with explosive force. This will cause the solution to spew out over the engine, the fenders, and the person removing the cap. Serious bodily injury may result.
Important
if the procedure below is not followed a low or high coolant level condition and/or vehicle damage could result.
********** Start with a cold engine *******
1) Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2) Remove the surge tank cap:
3) Rise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
4) Place a drain pan under the drain plug.
5) Open the radiator drain plug.
6) Allow the cooling system to drain completely.
7) inspect the engine coolant for the following:
Discoloured -- follow the flush procedure below.
Normal in appearance -- continue with the next step.
Notice
when adding coolant, use DEX-COOL® coolant. If silicate coolant is added to the system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine coolant will require change sooner-at 50 000 km (30,000 mi) or 24 months.
Notice
Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
8) Close the radiator drain plug. Tighten the radiator drain plug to 2 N•m (18 lb in).
9) Fill the cooling system through the surge tank.
10) Fill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL® coolant and deionised water.
11) Start and run the engine with the cap off until the thermostat opens or coolant reaches 88°C (190°F). ** DO NOT PASS THIS POINT WITH THE TANK CUP OFF OR SERIUS DAMAGE AND BODILY INJURY MAY RESULT!!!!***
12) Install surge tank cap.
13) Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant temperature reaches 99°C (210°F).
14) Shut off the engine and let the engine sits OFF long enough for the coolant and engine to cool a very significant amount (sitting for several hours).
15) Remove the surge tank cap and top off the coolant as necessary, 12.7 mm (0.5 in) above FULL COLD mark on the surge tank.
16) For the following days check the fluid level when the engine is cold. You may find you need to add small amounts of coolant as small amounts of air come out of the system. Within a few days the coolant level will "stabilize" and then only needs to be checked occasionally (every few weeks).
** ALWAYS TOP UP COOLANT WHEN ENGINE AND COOLANT ARE COLD!**[/SIZE]
Caution
With a pressurized cooling system, the coolant temperature in the radiator can be considerably higher than the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure. Removal of the surge tank cap, while the cooling system is hot and under high pressure, causes the solution to boil instantaneously with explosive force. This will cause the solution to spew out over the engine, the fenders, and the person removing the cap. Serious bodily injury may result.
Important
if the procedure below is not followed a low or high coolant level condition and/or vehicle damage could result.
********** Start with a cold engine *******
1) Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2) Remove the surge tank cap:
3) Rise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
4) Place a drain pan under the drain plug.
5) Open the radiator drain plug.
6) Allow the cooling system to drain completely.
7) inspect the engine coolant for the following:
Discoloured -- follow the flush procedure below.
Normal in appearance -- continue with the next step.
Notice
when adding coolant, use DEX-COOL® coolant. If silicate coolant is added to the system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine coolant will require change sooner-at 50 000 km (30,000 mi) or 24 months.
Notice
Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
8) Close the radiator drain plug. Tighten the radiator drain plug to 2 N•m (18 lb in).
9) Fill the cooling system through the surge tank.
10) Fill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL® coolant and deionised water.
11) Start and run the engine with the cap off until the thermostat opens or coolant reaches 88°C (190°F). ** DO NOT PASS THIS POINT WITH THE TANK CUP OFF OR SERIUS DAMAGE AND BODILY INJURY MAY RESULT!!!!***
12) Install surge tank cap.
13) Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant temperature reaches 99°C (210°F).
14) Shut off the engine and let the engine sits OFF long enough for the coolant and engine to cool a very significant amount (sitting for several hours).
15) Remove the surge tank cap and top off the coolant as necessary, 12.7 mm (0.5 in) above FULL COLD mark on the surge tank.
16) For the following days check the fluid level when the engine is cold. You may find you need to add small amounts of coolant as small amounts of air come out of the system. Within a few days the coolant level will "stabilize" and then only needs to be checked occasionally (every few weeks).
** ALWAYS TOP UP COOLANT WHEN ENGINE AND COOLANT ARE COLD!**[/SIZE]
Last edited by C3Paul; Jul 8, 2008 at 09:37 AM.
