Does anyone have the DIY for a coolant change?

 

Yes!!! Right out of the Service Manual.
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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.


Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Remove the surge tank cap:
Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
Place a drain pan under the drain ****.
Open the radiator drain ****.
Allow the cooling system to drain completely.
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.


Close the radiator drain ****. Tighten
Tighten the radiator drain **** to 2 N·m (18 lb in).

Fill the cooling system through the surge tank.
Fill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL® coolant and deionized water.
Start the engine.
Allow the engine to idle for 1 minute.
Install surge tank cap.
Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant temperature reaches 99°C (210°F).
Shut off the engine.
Remove the surge tank cap.
Start the engine.
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.
Install the surge tank cap.
Cycle the engine RPMs from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).
Shut off the engine.
Remove the surge tank cap.
Top off the coolant as necessary, 12.7 mm (0.5 in) above FULL COLD mark on the surge tank.
Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the engine compartment.
Inspect the concentration of the engine coolant.
Install the surge tank cap.

 

The only difference is that my radiator drain **** is a plastic plug with O rings and can't be tightened to 18 ft-lbs....

 

 

Tighten the radiator drain **** to 2 N·m (18 lb in).

 

Thanks!!

 

O.K., where the hell do I get "deionized" Water???

 

And no mention of BURPING (which is not required).

 

Deionized Water is a fancy name for distilled . Larger grocery stores sell them by the gallon to use in Steam Irons ! Walmart might even have it.

 

Walmart def has distilled water. All you can buy

 

Since you raise the front and to drain the radiator does the backend have to be lifted so the car remains level or can you just left the front and only?

 

They are NOT the same. Distilled water uses heat to make steam and the steam is cooled, MOST of the contaminants are left in the original tank making the water "pretty" clean. De-ionizing is more of a filtering and Cation/Anion process, the water is chemically PURE, this water is the water that's used in Dialysis, it's just H2O!!!

 

I have ordered a new water pump and surge tank. I have been checking local auto parts stores for Dex-Cool. I have found the Prestone version of Dex-Cool, is this acceptable. Suggestions?

 

They have premixed DEX cool at places like NAPA. No need to find the water.

 

From my factory service manual:
"9. Slowly add clean drinkable water to the system until the level reaches the base of the neck."

That being said, distilled water is 100% fine.

 

 

Prestone has the green 5/50 antifreeze, so it will last as long as the orange stuff, which was it's advantage when it first came out. If you switch, make sure you get all of the green stuff out. They don't mix well. Not sure where you live, but tap water will create mineral deposits to form in your radiator.