Draining and Refilling the Cooling System

WARNING:
^ Under some conditions, the ethylene glycol in engine coolant is combustible. To help avoid being burned, do not spill antifreeze or coolant on the exhaust system or hot engine parts.
^ Do not remove the radiator cap when the radiator is warm. Removing the cap immediately lowers the boiling point of the coolant, and could cause a violent overflow, resulting in a large coolant loss and personal injury.

CAUTION: Alcohol, methanol-based coolants or plain water alone should not be used in the cooling system at any time. Damage to the cooling system could result from their use.















NOTE:
^ The cooling system has been filled (by the manufacturer) with coolant that is a 50/50 mixture of water and ethylene glycol antifreeze. This coolant solution provides freezing protection to -36°C (-33°F).
^ Maintain cooling system protection at -36°C (-33°F) to ensure protection against corrosion and loss of coolant from boiling. This level of protection should be maintained even if extreme temperatures are not expected.
^ Add ethylene glycol-based coolant to the coolant reservoir when the coolant level is low or to provide added protection against freezing temperatures lower than -36°C (-33°F).


1. Remove radiator cap.
2. Start and run engine for 15 minutes.





3. Stop the engine and open the drain plug on the radiator to drain the coolant into a suitable container.

NOTE:
^ Dispose of used coolant in a proper fashion i.e., in 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; do not dispose of it into the sewer system or ground water.

4. Close the drain plug. Add water to fill the cooling system.
5. Repeat Steps 2, 3 and 4 until the drained water is clean.
6. Close radiator drain plug.
7. Remove hose from reservoir cap and slide coolant reservoir from mounting bracket.
^ Clean the inside of coolant reservoir with soap and water. Rinse thoroughly.
8. Install coolant reservoir to vehicle.
9. Fill radiator with a 50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol coolant GM P/N 1052753, or equivalent, and water up to base of radiator filler neck and fill coolant reservoir up to FULL mark on reservoir.
10. Install reservoir cap on reservoir and align marks on cap and reservoir.
11. Install reservoir hose to reservoir cap.
12. Start and run engine until coolant is at running temperature (both hoses feel warm and coolant is moving in radiator). Add coolant as necessary to radiator until coolant reaches radiator filler neck.
13. Install radiator cap.
^ Check radiator, coolant reservoir and all coolant pipe and hose connections for any signs of leaks. Tighten as necessary.