Draining and Filling Cooling System V8

Draining Procedure

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Remove the coolant recovery reservoir fill cap.

Caution

As long as there is pressure in the cooling system, the temperature can be considerably higher than the boiling temperature of the solution in the radiator without causing the solution to boil. Removal of the pressure cap while the engine is hot and pressure is high will cause the solution to boil instantaneously -- possibly with explosive force -- spewing the solution over the engine, fenders and the person removing the cap.

3. Remove the radiator pressure cap (1) from the radiator (2).
• Slowly rotate the pressure cap (1) counterclockwise until the cap (1) reaches the detent. Do not press down while rotating the pressure cap (1).
• Wait until any remaining pressure, indicated by a hissing sound, is relieved.
• After all the pressure is relieved, press down on the pressure cap (1) and continue to rotate the pressure cap (1) counterclockwise.

Important

Recover and store used coolant in a used coolant holding tank and submit the used coolant for recycling on a regular basis. DO NOT pour used coolant down the drain! Ethylene glycol antifreeze is very toxic. Disposing of ethylene glycol into the sewer system or ground water is both illegal and ecologically unsound!

4. Place a drain pan under the radiator drain cock in order to collect all the used coolant.
   
   
5. Open the radiator drain cock.
   
   
6. Remove the right side engine block drain hole plug.

Engine Drain, Right Side

7. Remove the left side engine block drain hole plug.

Engine Drain, Left Side

8. Allow the cooling system to drain completely.

Filling Procedure

Notice

DO NOT use cooling system seal tabs (or similar compounds) unless otherwise instructed. The use of cooling system seal tabs (or similar compounds) may restrict coolant flow through the passages of the cooling system or the engine components. Restricted coolant flow may cause engine overheating and/or damage to the cooling system or the engine components/assembly.

1. Remove, clean, and reinstall the coolant recovery reservoir. Refer to Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement .
   
   
2. Install the left side engine block drain hole plug.
   
   
3. Install the right side engine block drain hole plug.
   
   
4. Close the radiator drain cock. Tighten
• Tighten the drain hole plugs to 60 N·m (44 lb ft).
• Tighten the radiator drain cock to 1.5 N·m (13 lb in).
5. Slowly add a 50/50 mixture of GM Goodwrench DEX-COOL or HAVOLINE DEX-COOL and clean drinkable water to the radiator until the coolant level is at the base of the radiator fill neck.
6. Fill the coolant recovery reservoir to the FULL HOT mark with a 50/50 mixture of GM Goodwrench DEX-COOL or HAVOLINE DEX-COOL and clean, drinkable water.
7. Install the coolant recovery reservoir cap.
8. Run the engine until the engine reaches normal operating temperature. The radiator inlet hose will become hot.
9. After the engine reaches normal operating temperature, check for coolant leaks.
10. Wait two minutes and recheck the level of the coolant in the radiator.
11. If needed, add coolant to the radiator until the coolant level reaches the bottom of the radiator fill neck.
    
    
12. Install the radiator pressure cap (1) to the radiator (2).
    
    
13. Ensure that the radiator cap (1) arrows point toward the radiator overflow tube.