Caution: Do not remove the radiator cap while the cooling system is hot. Serious personal injury may result. Only remove the radiator cap from a cool engine.

Engine Coolant Recycling

The use of a waterless, GM approved coolant recycling system on the vehicle eliminates the need for evacuation. This system is available through the GM Dealer Equipment program (or the equivalent). This method removes the used coolant and replaces it with approved new or with recycled coolant. When this equipment is not available use the following procedure.

1. Make sure the system has cooled, then remove the radiator filler cap.
2. Place a drain pan under the radiator drain cock.
3. Install a tube on the drain cock.



4. Place the end of the tube in the drain pan.
5. Open the drain cock completely.
6. Allow the cooling system to drain until the flow stops. If only the radiator is drained, up to 40% of the old coolant will remain in the system.
7. Place a drain pan under the engine.



8. Remove the drain plug from the side of the engine block, 2.2L shown.



9. Remove the drain plugs from each side of the engine block, 4.3L shown.

•	There may be more drainage from the radiator at this time.

•	Allow the engine block to drain until the flow stops.




10. Apply a sealer to the threads and then tighten the engine block drain plug(s).

Tighten
Tighten the engine block drain plugs to 32 N·m (25 lb ft).

Refer to Fastener Tightening Notice in General Information.

Important: Dispose of the used engine coolant properly. Store it in a used coolant Holding Tank awaiting proper disposal or recycling. Never 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: Two sealant pellets must be added to the radiator whenever the cooling system is drained or refilled with fresh coolant. Failure to use the correct sealant pellets may result in premature coolant pump leakage. Do not add the pellets to the coolant recovery bottle, this may prevent the coolant recovery system from operating properly.

1. Make sure the radiator drain cock is closed.
2. Check the strength of the old coolant, before attempting to reuse it. Refer to Coolant .
3. When you need additional antifreeze solution:

•	Pre-mix ethylene glycol at a ratio of 50/50 with clean, distilled water.

•	Distilled water reduces the accumulation of scale in the cooling system.

•	For coolant use Dex-Cool ® orange colored silicate free coolant.

4. Place a large mouth funnel in the radiator fill opening.
5. Slowly add the coolant mixture.
6. Fill to ½ inch below the radiator fill opening.
7. Start the engine.
8. As the cooling system warms up and the thermostat opens, the coolant level will drop.
9. Add coolant until the level is up to the radiator fill opening.

•	Do not spill the coolant onto the exhaust system or other hot engine parts.

•	Under some circumstances the ethylene glycol in the coolant is combustible.

10. Replace the radiator filler cap.



11. Check the level in the coolant recovery reservoir, add coolant if needed.
12. Test the cooling system for leaks, refer to Radiator Leak Testing (On and Off Vehicle) .