Cooling System Draining and Filling Gasoline Engines

Caution: Refer to Radiator Cap Removal Caution in the Preface section.




1. Place a pan below the vehicle to catch the draining coolant.
2. Remove the surge tank cap.
3. Unplug the drain cock.

Caution: Dispose of the used engine coolant properly. Store the used coolant in a used coolant Holding Tank awaiting proper disposal or recycling. Do not pour used coolant down the drain. Ethylene glycol antifreeze is a very toxic chemical. Disposal into the sewer system or into the ground water is both environmentally irresponsible and illegal

4. Catch the escaping fluid in a drain pan.
5. Remove all sludge and dirt from inside the surge tank. Refer to Radiator Surge Tank Replacement .
6. Plug the drain cock.
7. Add the clean water to the surge tank.
8. Fill the tank slowly so that the upper reservoir hose remains above the water line. This allows the air inside the cooling system to escape.
9. Start the engine.
10. Run the engine until the thermostat opens. You can tell the thermostat is open when both radiator hoses are hot to the touch.



11. Stop the engine.
12. Repeat steps 1-9 until the drained water is clear and free of coolant and rust.

Important: Never use an antifreeze mixture more concentrated than 60 percent antifreeze to 40 percent water. The solution freezing point increases above this concentration.

13. Fill the cooling system through the surge tank with a mixture of ethylene glycol antifreeze and water. The mixture must be at least 50 percent antifreeze, but not more than 60 percent antifreeze.
14. Fill the surge tank to the specified MAX fill mark on the outside of the tank.