Up date on coolent flush
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,190
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From: Fayetteville AR
Up date on coolent flush
I thought I would add a couple of things to the following coolant flush writeup so it is more complete (at least on my 2001 model).
1st thing is the drain valve is on the passenger side and it is a small white screw (I was looking for the normal plastic finger twist type screw so it took me a few minutes to locate). I also had to use a metric Allen wrench (#5) to loosen it up (had to use a flash light so I could seen the hole in the center of this screw). It only takes a 1/4 turn counter clock wise but then I had to wiggle it some so it pops back and the coolant flows out the bottom of the drain valve. To tighten use an over sized flat head screwdriver and push in then turn clock wise 1/4 inch till it seats. You cannot use the screwdriver to remove since the plastic screw is ramped for one way only use. Not sure why it is this way except to discourage the owner from doing this procedure and bring your car in to the dealership.
2nd thing is I raised the rear of the car higher than the front and it seemed to drain more out of the block. I was able to drain 8 to 9 qts this way. I also used my compressor to push a little more out of the overflow tank/ radiator. I would not push to many PSI's or attempt to drain the entire system this way in fear of damaging the coolant system in some way but I was able to push another 1/4 cup or so out easily.
I flush twice and used about 6 gallons of distilled water and then 2 gallons of Dexcool at 100% strength to mix with water in block already. Check strength after a short drive - mine was perfect.
Hope this helps.
Draining and Filling Cooling System procedure:
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.
1) Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2) Remove the surge tank cap:
3)Raise 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:
Discolored -- follow the flush procedure below.
Normal in appearance -- continue with the next step.
Notice
When adding coolant, use DEX-COOL® coolant. If silicated 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.
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 deionized water.
11) Start the engine.
12) Allow the engine to idle for 1 minute.
13) Install surge tank cap.
14) Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant temperature reaches 99°C (210°F).
15)Shut off the engine.
16) Remove the surge tank cap.
17) Start the engine.
18) Allow the engine to Idle for 1 minute. Fill the surge tank to 12.7 mm (0.5 in) above the COLD FULL mark on the surge tank.
19) Install the surge tank cap.
20) Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
21) Shut off the engine.
22) Remove the surge tank cap.
23) Top off the coolant as necessary, 12.7 mm (0.5 in) above FULL COLD mark on the surge tank.
24) Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the engine compartment.
25) Inspect the concentration of the engine coolant.
26) Install the surge tank cap.
1st thing is the drain valve is on the passenger side and it is a small white screw (I was looking for the normal plastic finger twist type screw so it took me a few minutes to locate). I also had to use a metric Allen wrench (#5) to loosen it up (had to use a flash light so I could seen the hole in the center of this screw). It only takes a 1/4 turn counter clock wise but then I had to wiggle it some so it pops back and the coolant flows out the bottom of the drain valve. To tighten use an over sized flat head screwdriver and push in then turn clock wise 1/4 inch till it seats. You cannot use the screwdriver to remove since the plastic screw is ramped for one way only use. Not sure why it is this way except to discourage the owner from doing this procedure and bring your car in to the dealership.
2nd thing is I raised the rear of the car higher than the front and it seemed to drain more out of the block. I was able to drain 8 to 9 qts this way. I also used my compressor to push a little more out of the overflow tank/ radiator. I would not push to many PSI's or attempt to drain the entire system this way in fear of damaging the coolant system in some way but I was able to push another 1/4 cup or so out easily.
I flush twice and used about 6 gallons of distilled water and then 2 gallons of Dexcool at 100% strength to mix with water in block already. Check strength after a short drive - mine was perfect.
Hope this helps.
Draining and Filling Cooling System procedure:
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.
1) Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2) Remove the surge tank cap:
3)Raise 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:
Discolored -- follow the flush procedure below.
Normal in appearance -- continue with the next step.
Notice
When adding coolant, use DEX-COOL® coolant. If silicated 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.
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 deionized water.
11) Start the engine.
12) Allow the engine to idle for 1 minute.
13) Install surge tank cap.
14) Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant temperature reaches 99°C (210°F).
15)Shut off the engine.
16) Remove the surge tank cap.
17) Start the engine.
18) Allow the engine to Idle for 1 minute. Fill the surge tank to 12.7 mm (0.5 in) above the COLD FULL mark on the surge tank.
19) Install the surge tank cap.
20) Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
21) Shut off the engine.
22) Remove the surge tank cap.
23) Top off the coolant as necessary, 12.7 mm (0.5 in) above FULL COLD mark on the surge tank.
24) Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the engine compartment.
25) Inspect the concentration of the engine coolant.
26) Install the surge tank cap.
Saved as .doc Thanks.
