GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cooling System Draining and Filling LS6

Tools Required

J 38185 Hose Clamp Pliers

Draining Procedure

  1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
  2. Remove the surge tank cap.
  3. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  4. Remove the air deflector. Refer to Front Air Deflector Replacement in Body Front End.
  5. Place a drain pan under the lower radiator hose connection at the bottom of the radiator.
  6. Using J 38185 slide the hose clamp back on the hose.
  7. Slowly remove the lower radiator hose and drain the coolant into the drain pan.
  8. Inspect the engine coolant for the following conditions:
  9. • Discolored appearance -- follow the flush procedure. Refer to Flushing .
    • Normal in appearance -- follow the filling procedure.

Filling Procedure

  1. Install the lower radiator hose.
  2. Using J 38185 slide the clamp into the original position.
  3. Lower the vehicle.
  4. Slowly add a mixture of 50/50 DEX-COOL antifreeze and deionized water to the cooling system. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities in General Information.
  5. Fill the surge tank to the FULL COLD level.
  6. Install the surge tank cap.
  7. Idle the engine for 2 minutes and occasionally raise the throttle to 3,000-3,500 RPM.
  8. Shut off the engine and allow the engine to cool.
  9. Repeat the steps 1-9.
  10. Idle the engine for 2 minutes and occasionally raise the throttle to 3,000-3,500 RPM.
  11. Inspect the surge tank for consistent flow.
  12. If no flow occurs through the surge tank, repeat steps 1-9.
  13. Install the air deflector. Refer to Front Air Deflector Replacement in Body Front End.
  14. Allow the engine to cool.
  15. Remove the surge tank cap and fill to the FULL COLD level.

Cooling System Draining and Filling LP1, LY7 Static Fill

Tools Required

J 38185 Hose Clamp Pliers

Draining Procedure

  1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
  2. Remove the surge tank cap.
  3. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  4. Remove the air deflector. Refer to Front Air Deflector Replacement in Body Front End.
  5. Place a drain pan under the lower radiator hose connection at the bottom of the radiator.
  6. Using J 38185 slide the hose clamp back on the hose.
  7. Slowly remove the lower radiator hose and drain the coolant into the drain pan.
  8. Inspect the engine coolant for the following conditions:
  9. • Discolored appearance -- follow the flush procedure. Refer to Flushing .
    • Normal in appearance -- follow the filling procedure.

Filling Procedure

  1. Install the lower radiator hose.
  2. Using J 38185 slide the clamp into the original position.
  3. Lower the vehicle.
  4. Using J 38185 remove the upper radiator hose from the radiator connection.
  5. Slowly add a mixture of 50/50 DEX-COOL antifreeze and deionized water to the cooling system through the top of the radiator opening. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities in General Information.
  6. Fill the upper radiator hose and engine with the 50/50 coolant mixture.
  7. Connect the upper radiator hose to the engine.
  8. Using J 38185 slide the radiator hose clamp into the original position.
  9. Fill the surge tank to the FULL COLD level.
  10. Install the surge tank cap.
  11. Idle the engine for 2 minutes and occasionally raise the throttle to 3,000-3,500 RPM.
  12. Shut off the engine and allow the engine to cool.
  13. Repeat the steps 1-9.
  14. Idle the engine for 2 minutes and occasionally raise the throttle to 3,000-3,500 RPM.
  15. Inspect the surge tank for consistent flow.
  16. If no flow occurs through the surge tank, repeat steps 1-9.
  17. Install the air deflector. Refer to Front Air Deflector Replacement in Body Front End.
  18. Allow the engine to cool.
  19. Remove the surge tank cap and fill to the FULL COLD level.