Draining and Filling Cooling System

DRAINING COOLING SYSTEM

WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE CYLINDER BLOCK DRAIN PLUGS OR LOOSEN THE RADIATOR DRAIN PLUG OR CAP WITH THE SYSTEM HOT AND UNDER PRESSURE. SERIOUS BURNS FROM COOLANT CAN OCCUR.

DO NOT WASTE reusable coolant. If the solution is clean, drain the coolant into a clean container for reuse.
(1) Start the engine and place the heater control temperature selector in the Full-on position. Engine vacuum is needed to actuate the heater controls.
(2) Turn the ignition off.
(3) Do not remove radiator cap when draining coolant from reserve/overflow tank. Open radiator drain plug and when tank is empty, remove radiator cap. If the coolant reserve/overflow tank does not drain, refer to the Testing Cooling System for Leaks. The coolant need not be removed from tank unless the system is being refilled with fresh mixture.






(4) Remove the cylinder block drain plugs. These are located on the sides of the block towards the front of engine, just above the oil pan.
(5) Remove radiator pressure cap.

REFILLING COOLING SYSTEM
Clean cooling system prior to refilling. Refer to Cooling System Cleaning.
(1) Install the cylinder block drain plugs.
(2) Close radiator drain plug.
(3) Fill the cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of water and antifreeze.
(4) Fill coolant reserve/overflow tank to the MAX mark.
(5) Start and operate engine until thermostat opens. Upper radiator hose should be warm to touch.
(6) If necessary, add 50/50 water and antifreeze mixture to the coolant reserve/overflow tank to maintain coolant level. This level should be between the MIN and MAX marks. The level in the reserve/overflow tank may drop below MIN mark after three or four warm-up and cool-down cycles. Add additional coolant as necessary.