GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 1996 🢒 Regal 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Cooling 🢒 Cooling System Draining and Filling

Correct Fill Ratios
  1. Ethylene glycol/water fill ratios have been established to ensure a minimum of 50 percent ethylene glycol in the coolant mixture following the recommended coolant flush, recycle, and drain procedure, and when the engine block drains and air bleeds are utilized.
  2. Use the following cooling system capacities for these engines:
    3. • The cooling system capacity for the 3100 (l82) engine is 10.9 L (11.6 qt)
    • The cooling system capacity for the 3.4L (LQI) engine is 11.7 L (12.3 qt)
    • The cooling system capacity for the 3800 (L36) Engine is 10.1 L (10.7 qt).
  3. The coolant recovery reservoir capacity is 0.75 L (0.8 qts) to the COLD mark on the reservoir. For cooling system capacities, refer to Fluid Capacity Specifications . The quantities listed in the filling procedure include the additional quantity to displace the air that remains in the cooling system after a static refill.
  4. Using the correct fill ratio and the following procedures ensures a minimum concentration of 50 percent ethylene glycol in the cooling system and simplifies the customer fill task.

Draining Procedure

    Notice: When adding coolant, use DEX-COOL® coolant. If silicated coolant is added to the system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine coolant will require change sooner-at 50 000 km (30,000 mi) or 24 months.

  1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
  2. Remove the coolant recovery reservoir. Clean the reservoir. Refer to Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement .

    3. 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. When the engine is cool, remove the radiator filler cap . Refer to Radiator Assembly .
  4. Place a drain pan under the radiator to recover the coolant.

    5. Object Number: 70033 Size: SH
  5. Open the radiator drain cock at the bottom of the radiator. For procedures where you partially drain the cooling system, opening the drain cock should provide sufficient draining. No further action should be required.

    6. Object Number: 30962 Size: SH
  6. On the 3.1L engine, remove the coolant outlet cap and the thermostat or open the air bleed vents. These vents are on the coolant outlet and above the coolant pump. Open the vents two or three turns.

    7. Object Number: 70043 Size: SH
  7. On the 3.4L engine, remove the coolant outlet cap and thermostat or open the air bleed vents. These vents are on the coolant outlet and the heater coolant inlet pipe near the brake master cylinder. Open the vents two or three turns.

    8. Object Number: 46168 Size: SH
  8. On the 3.8L (L36) engine, remove the coolant outlet cap and the thermostat or open the air bleed vent. The vent is on the coolant outlet. Open the vent two or three turns.

    9. Object Number: 70054 Size: SH
  9. On the 3.1L engine, remove both of the engine block coolant drain hole plugs. The left side drain plug (1) is between the starter and the engine oil filter. The right side drain plug (2) is near the engine crank sensor.

    10. Object Number: 70059 Size: SH
  10. On the 3.4L engine, remove the coolant drain hole plug by the engine crank sensor.

    11. Object Number: 23607 Size: SH
  11. On the 3.8L (L36) engine, remove both of the engine knock sensors (1).
  12. Allow the coolant to completely drain.

Filling the Cooling System

    Object Number: 70033 Size: SH
  1. Close the radiator drain cock. Reinstall all of the engine block drain hole plugs (knock sensors on 3.8L (L36)). Reconnect the inlet pipe to the engine oil cooler.
  2. Install the coolant recovery reservoir. Refer to Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement .

    3. Object Number: 70035 Size: SH

    Important: 

       • When you refill the cooling system, add 2 engine coolant supplement sealant pellets, GM P/N 3634621, or equivalent.

  3. Slowly fill the cooling system through the radiator neck using the following procedure:
    4. 3.1. If the cooling system is being refilled only, no flushing, use a 50 percent ethylene glycol and 50% clean water mixture to fill the system. Fill the system until the level of the 50/50 mixture reaches the base of the radiator filler neck. Wait 2 minutes, then recheck the level of the coolant. If necessary, add a 50/50 ethylene glycol/water mixture to restore the coolant level to the base of the radiator neck.
    3.2. If the cooling system has been flushed, first add 100% ethylene glycol. Refer to the coolant static fill capacity chart for the appropriate engine application.
    3.3. Slowly add clean water to the system until the level of the coolant reaches the base of the radiator neck.
    3.4. After 2 minutes, recheck the level of the coolant mixture.
    3.5. If necessary, add clean water to restore the coolant level to the base of the radiator neck.

    Object Number: 13762 Size: SH
  4. Install the radiator cap. Line up the arrows (1) with the overflow tube (2).
  5. Close all of the air bleeds. Do not overtighten the air bleed valve. The air bleed valve is made of brass.
  6. Fill the recovery reservoir with a 50% ethylene glycol and a 50% clean water coolant mixture. Install the proper amount of the coolant into the recovery reservoir. For all engines, add 1.7 L (1.8 qt) of a 50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol and clean water to the coolant recovery reservoir.

    7. Notice: The Low Coolant warning/indicator lamp may come on after this procedure. After operating the vehicle so that the engine heats up and cools down three times, the Low Coolant warning/indicator lamp does NOT go out, or fails to come on at the ignition check, and the coolant is at the level indicated in step 3, refer to SECTION 8A-90 or 8A-81. If at any time the TEMP warning/indicator lamp comes on, immediate action is required.

    Notice: Pure coolant can be added to raise the boiling point of the coolant, but too much will affect the freezing point. Do not use a solution stronger than 70 percent, as the freeze level rises rapidly after this point. Pure coolant will freeze at -22°C (-8°F).

  7. Inspect the freeze protection of the engine coolant. Refer to Coolant Concentration Testing .