- Place a pan below the vehicle to catch the draining coolant.
- Remove the surge tank cap.
- Unplug the drain cock.
- Catch the escaping fluid in a drain pan.
- Remove all sludge and dirt from inside the surge tank. Refer to Radiator Surge Tank Replacement.
- Plug the drain cock.
- Add the clean water to the surge tank.
- 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.
- Start the engine.
- Run the engine until the thermostat opens. You can tell the thermostat is open when both radiator hoses are hot to the touch.
- Stop the engine.
- Repeat steps 1-11 until the drained water is clear and free of coolant and rust.
- Fill the cooling system through the surge thank with a mixture of ethylene glycol antifreeze and water. The mixture must be at least 44 percent antifreeze, but not more than 60 percent antifreeze.
- Fill the surge tank to the specified MAX fill mark on the outside of the tank.
Caution: To avoid being burned, do not remove the radiator cap or surge tank cap while the engine is hot. The cooling system will release scalding fluid and steam under pressure if radiator cap or surge tank cap is removed while the engine and radiator are still hot.
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.
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
Notice: Do not add cold water to the cooling system with the engine at or above operating temperature. Adding cold water causes rapid cooling, resulting in possible engine damage.
Important: Never use an antifreeze mixture more concentrated than 60 percent antifreeze to 40 percent water. The solution freezing point increases above this concentration.
