Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static Fill)

Draining and Filling Cooling System (Static Fill)

Draining Procedure

Caution: In order to avoid personal injury, do not remove the cap or open the cooling system drains from a hot system. Allow the system to cool first.





Important: A 7.6 liter (8 qt) coolant container will be needed.

1. Place the coolant container under the radiator drain valve located at the bottom of the left radiator end tank.
2. Open the drain valve to start the flow of coolant. Coolant will drain slowly until the surge tank cap is removed.




3. Remove the surge tank cap from the surge tank. Allow the coolant to drain from the system.




4. Additional coolant can be drained from the engine by removing the engine block drain plug.
5. Follow the appropriate procedure based on the condition of the coolant.

* Normal in appearance-Follow the filling procedure.
* Discolored-Follow the flush procedure.

Filling Procedure

Important: When the radiator is drained, a minimum of 5 liters (5.28 qts) of coolant is typically drained from the cooling system. During the fill procedure, a minimum of 5 liters (5.28 qts) of coolant should be added to the cooling system before the vehicle is returned to the customer.




1. Close the drain valve on the left radiator end tank.




2. Install the engine block drain plug, if removed.
3. Open the air bleed screw on the water pump tower.

Notice: All entrapped air must be purged from the powertrain cooling system before the final coolant level can be determined. Proper coolant level is critical to avoid engine damage.

Important: The vehicle must be level when filling the cooling system.

4. Slowly add a mixture of 50/50 DEX-COOL antifreeze and clean water to the surge tank.

1. As the system begins to fill, watch for coolant at the water pump tower.
2. As coolant begins to seep from the air bleed, close the air bleed screw.
3. Once the bleed screw is closed, continue to add coolant until a minimum of 5 liters (5.28 qts) is added to the cooling system. Start the engine and run at idle to add the remaining coolant.

5. Install the surge tank cap.
6. Run the engine and cycle the vehicle from idle to 3,000 RPM in 30 second intervals until the engine cooling fans come ON.
7. Return the engine to idle, idle for 30 seconds then turn the engine OFF.
8. Allow the vehicle to cool.
9. Add coolant to the surge tank until the level is approximately 25 mm (1 in) above the top of the Cold Fill Range at the surge tank seam.
10. Install the surge tank cap.