Draining & Refilling the Cooling System

Every two years or 30,000 miles, the cooling system should be drained and filled using the following procedures.

CAUTION: To avoid being burned, do not remove the radiator cap while the engine is at normal operating temperature. The cooling system will release scalding fluid and steam under pressure if the cap is removed while the engine and radiator are still hot.

1. Remove the radiator cap when the engine is cool by:
a. Slowly rotating counterclockwise to detent. Do not press down while rotating.
b. Wait until any residual pressure (indicated by a hissing sound) is relieved.
c. After all hissing stops, press down on the cap while continuing to rotate counterclockwise.
2. Open radiator drain valve and air bleed vent on thermostat housing and bypass pipe. Both air bleed vents to be opened two to three turns.
3. Allow system to drain completely, then close the radiator drain valve tightly.
4. Remove coolant recovery reservoir and empty. Flush reservoir with clean water, drain and reinstall.

NOTE: Use Ethylene Glycol coolant, meeting GM specification 1825-M, to provide the required freezing and corrosion protection, at least 50 percent solution, -34~F (0~C).

5. Fill through the radiator neck until full. Close the air bleed vents tightly, and continue to fill radiator to the base of the filler neck.

NOTE: Block drive wheels and place transaxle in "PARK" (automatic transaxle) or "NEUTRAL" (manual transaxle) and set the parking brake.

6. Start the engine and let idle for five minutes, continue adding coolant as required to keep coolant level to the base of the filler neck. At the end of five minutes, install radiator cap, making certain that the arrows line up with overflow tube.
7. Add sufficient coolant to the recovery reservoir to raise coolant level to the "HOT" mark.

NOTE: The low coolant indicator lamp may come on after this procedure. After operating the vehicle so that the engine heats up and cools down two times, if the low coolant indicator lamp does not go out, or fails to come on at ignition check and coolant is at the level indicated in step 7. If at any time the TEMP warning indicator comes on, immediate action is required.