Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static Fill)

Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static Fill-LNF)

Draining Procedure


Caution: To avoid being burned, do not remove the radiator cap or surge tank cap while the engine is hot. The cooling system will release scalding fluid and steam under pressure if radiator cap or surge tank cap is removed while the engine and radiator are still hot.


Important: Draining the cooling system with the pressure cap installed will syphon the coolant from the overflow tank.






1. Remove the surge tank cap (1).
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair) .




3. Place a drain pan under the right side lower radiator mount.
4. Open the radiator drain cock.




5. Drain the cooling system.
6. If a complete block drain is required, place a pan under the water pump drain.
7. Remove the water pump drain plug (1).
8. Drain the cooling system.
9. Inspect the appearance of the engine coolant for discoloration:

* Discolored-Follow the flush procedure. Refer to Flushing (Service and Repair) .
* Normal in appearance-Follow the filling procedure.




Filling Procedure






Notice: The procedure below must be followed. Improper coolant level could result in a low or high coolant level condition, causing engine damage.

1. Close the radiator drain cock by hand.





Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice (Fastener Notice) .

2. Install the water pump drain plug if removed during the draining process (1).

Tighten the drain plug to 22 N.m (16 lb ft).

3. Lower the vehicle.
4. Remove the intake cover. Refer to Intake Manifold Cover Replacement (Service and Repair) .

Notice: Use enough clamping force to pinch off the hose, but not so much as to damage hose. If using locking pliers, cover the serrated teeth on the jaws of the pliers to prevent hose damage.

5. Use Hose Pinch-Off pliers or equivalent clamp the rubber portion of the turbocharger coolant feed hose (1) near the front left of the engine. Be sure the hose is clamped tight enough not to let air or coolant pass through.




6. Disconnect the coolant level sensor electrical connector.




7. Remove the surge tank retainer (2).
8. Remove the surge tank nut (3).
9. Remove the surge tank outlet hose from the wheel retainer clip.
10. Raise and support the surge tank (4) minimum 350 mm (14 in) above the surge tank bracket.

Important: Use a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL antifreeze and clean, drinkable water.


11. Slowly add a mixture of 50/50 DEX-COOL antifreeze and clean, drinkable water to the cooling system until the coolant level reaches 10-15 mm below the surge tank fill neck. The system will fill slowly and may take up to 10 minutes to fill.
A minimum of 5.5L of DEX-COOL needs to be installed to ensure proper water pump priming during the first thermocycle. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities (Capacity Specifications) for the total capacity.
12. Position the surge tank back on the surge tank bracket.
13. Install a surge tank retainer or equivalent (2).
14. Install the surge tank nut (3).

Tighten the surge tank nut to 9 N.m (80 lb in).

15. Connect the coolant level sensor electrical connector.
16. Start the engine.
17. Install the surge tank cap (1).
18. Run the engine at 2,000-2,500 RPM for 5 minutes in PARK (P) (Automatic) or NEUTRAL (N) (Manual) with the parking brake on.
19. Allow the engine to return to idle.

Notice: Failure to remove the Hose Pinch-Off pliers or equivalent from the turbo coolant feed hose may result in severe engine damage.

20. Remove the Hose Pinch-Off pliers or equivalent from the turbo coolant feed hose.
21. Allow the engine to idle through 5 minutes.
22. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool and the system pressure to decrease.
23. Install the intake cover.
24. Add coolant to the surge bottle to FULL cold mark as necessary.
25. Run the engine at 2,000-2,500 RPM for 10 minutes in P (Automatic) or N (Manual) with the parking brake on.
26. Allow the engine to return to idle.
27. Turn off the engine and allow to cool.
28. Add or remove coolant to the surge tank to FULL cold mark as necessary.
29. Inspect the cooling system for leaks.
30. Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the engine compartment.