Cooling System: Service and Repair
Cooling System ServiceWARNING: To help avoid danger of being burned, do not remove radiator cap while engine and radiator are still hot. Scalding fluid and steam can be blown out under pressure if cap is taken off too soon.
Cooling system should be serviced as follows.
1. Check cooling system for leakage or damage.
2. Wash radiator cap and filler neck with clean water by removing radiator cap when engine is cold.
3. Check coolant for proper level and freeze protection.
4. Using a pressure tester, check system and radiator cap for proper pressure holding capacity 110 kPa (1.1 kgf/cm2, 15.6 psi). If replacement of cap is required, use proper cap specified for this vehicle.
NOTE: After installing radiator cap to radiator, make sure that its ear is aligned with reservoir hose as shown in figure. If not, turn cap more to align its ear with hose.
5. Make sure that hose clamps are tightened securely and inspect all hoses. Replace hoses whenever cracked, swollen or otherwise deteriorated.
6. Clean frontal area of radiator core.
Cooling System Flush and Refill
1. Remove radiator cap when engine is cool. Turn cap slowly to the left until it reaches a "stop" (Do not press down while turning it). Wait until pressure is relieved (indicated by a hissing sound) then press down on cap and continue to turn it to the left.
WARNING: To help avoid danger of being burned, do not remove radiator cap while engine and radiator are still hot. Scalding fluid and steam can be blown out under pressure if cap is taken off too soon.
2. With radiator cap removed, run engine until upper radiator hose is hot (this shows that thermostat is open and coolant is flowing through system).
3. Stop engine and open radiator drain plug to drain coolant.
4. Close drain plug. Add water until system is filled and run engine until upper radiator hose is hot again.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 several times until drained liquid is nearly colorless.
6. Drain system and then close radiator drain plug (1) tightly.
7. Disconnect hose from reservoir. Remove reservoir and pour out any fluid. Scrub and clean inside of reservoir with soap and water. Flush it well with clean water and drain. Reinstall reservoir and hose.
8. Add 50/50 mixture of good quality ethylene glycol antifreeze and water to radiator and tank. Fill radiator to the base of radiator filler neck and reservoir to "FULL" level mark. Reinstall reservoir cap, aligning the arrow marks on the reservoir and cap.
9. Run engine, with radiator cap removed, until radiator upper hose is hot.
10. With engine idling, add coolant to radiator until level reaches the bottom of filler neck. Install radiator cap, making sure that the ear of cap lines up with reservoir hose.