Coolant: Service and Repair

ENGINE COOLANT REPLACEMENT [L3, AJ]

Warning:
^ Never remove the cooling system cap or loosen the radiator drain plug while the engine is running, or when the engine and radiator are hot. Scalding engine coolant and steam may shoot out and cause serious injury. It may also damage the engine and cooling system.
^ Turn off the engine and wait until it has cooled. Even then, be very careful when removing the cap. Wrap a thick cloth around it and slowly turn it counterclockwise to the first stop. Step back while the pressure escapes. (L3)
^ When you are sure all the pressure is gone, press down on the cap using the cloth, turn it, and remove it. (L3)
^ Turn off the engine and wait until it has cooled. Even then, be very careful when removing the cap. Wrap a thick cloth around it and slowly turn it counterclockwise 2.5 turns. Stop back while the pressure escapes. (AJ)
^ When you are sure all the pressure is gone, turn the cap using the cloth, and remove it. (AJ)

Caution:
^ Use engine coolant at a concentration that meets the environmental conditions in which the vehicle is driven, otherwise engine damage could occur.
^ The engine has aluminum parts and must be protected by an ethylene-glycol-based coolant to prevent corrosion and freezing.
^ Do not use coolants containing Alcohol, Methanol, Borate or Silicate. These coolants could damage the cooling system.
^ Use only soft (demineralized) water in the coolant mixture. Water that contains minerals will cut down on the coolant's effectiveness.
^ Engine coolant damages paint. If engine coolant does get on a painted surface, rinse it off quickly.

Note:
^ If the "FL22" mark is shown on or near the cooling system cap, use FL22 type engine coolant.





^ FL22 type engine coolant is shipped as a diluted solution (55% coolant, 45% water). Use the solution as is when replacing coolant.

Antifreeze Solution Mixture Percentage (Except FL22 Type Engine Coolant):

1. Remove the cooling system cap and the radiator drain plug.
2. Drain the engine coolant into a container.
3. Flush the cooling system with water until all traces of color are gone.
4. Let the system drain completely.
5. Tighten the radiator drain plug.
6. Referring to the following chart, select proper volume percentage of the water and engine coolant.

Antifreeze solution mixture percentage (Except FL22 type engine coolant)





7. Slowly pour the engine coolant into the radiator up to the engine coolant filler port. (L3 engine model)
8. Fill the engine coolant into the engine coolant reserve tank up to the F mark on the engine coolant reserve tank.
9. Tighten the cooling system cap.

Caution:
^ If the water temperature gauge rises too high, stop the engine and decrease the water temperature to prevent overheating. Then, verify the malfunctioning part and repair or replace it.
^ If the engine coolant level in the coolant reserve tank is below the L mark during engine coolant air bleeding operation, stop the engine, and after the engine coolant temperature decreases, add engine coolant. Then, resume the engine coolant air bleeding operation.

10. Start the engine and idle it until the cooling fan operates.
11. After engine warms up, perform the following steps.
(1) Run the engine at 2,500 rpm for 5 min.
(2) Run the engine at 3,000 rpm for 5 s, then idle.
(3) Repeat steps (2) several times.
(4) Idle the engine for 1 min.
12. Stop the engine and wait until it is cool.
13. Inspect the engine coolant level.
^ If it is low, repeat Steps 7 - 13 (L3 engine model), Steps 8 - 13 (AJ engine model).
14. Install the cooling system cap.
15. Inspect for engine coolant leakage. (See ENGINE COOLANT LEAKAGE INSPECTION [L3, AJ].)