Cooling System Draining and Filling 5.7L VIN P

Tools Required

GM approved Recycling System such as Pro Clean (Available in the GM Dealer Equipment Program)

Whenever the cooling system needs maintenance or repairs, remove and replace the coolant with qualified new or recycled coolant.

If you only drain the radiator, up to 50 percent of the used, contaminated coolant can remain in the cooling system.

Use any of the following methods in order to remove the coolant:

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Remove the coolant recovery reservoir fill cap.
3. Remove the radiator pressure cap.

3.1.	Slowly rotate the cap counter clockwise until the cap reaches the stop. Do not press down while turning the pressure cap.

3.2.	Wait until any remaining pressure, indicated by a hissing sound, is relieved.

3.3.	After all the pressure is relieved, press down on the pressure cap and continue to rotate the pressure cap counter clockwise.




4. Open the radiator drain cock.
5. Open the heater air bleed vents just above the water pump on the thermostat housing and the heater outlet hose pipe. Open the air bleed vents two or three turns. Place a shop towel under the bleed valve in order to prevent coolant from splashing onto the distributor.



6. Remove the engine block coolant drain hole plug from the left side of the engine. Remove the knock sensor from the right side of the engine.

Important: Store used engine coolant in the proper manner, such as in a used engine coolant holding tank. Do not pour used engine coolant down a drain. Ethylene glycol antifreeze is a very toxic chemical. Do not dispose of the coolant in to the sewer system or ground water. This is illegal and ecologically unsound.

7. Allow the system to completely drain.

1. Close the radiator drain cock.



2. Install the knock sensor and the engine block coolant drain hole plug.

Tighten

•	Tighten the radiator drain cock to 1.5 N·m (15 lb in).

•	Tighten the knock sensor to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

•	Tighten the engine block coolant drain hole plug to 18 N·m (13 lb ft).

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

3. Add enough water to fill the cooling system.
4. Run the engine until the thermostat opens.
5. Stop the engine. Repeat the steps in the draining procedure until the drained fluid is nearly colorless.
6. Remove, clean, and reinstall the coolant recovery reservoir. Refer to Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement .

Important: Use only DEX-COOL™ engine coolant meeting the GM specification 6277M in order to provide the required freezing and corrosion protection.

7. Add enough water and DEX-COOL™ engine coolant, meeting the GM specification 6277M in order to provide a solution that is at least 50% antifreeze, but no more than 70% antifreeze.

7.1.	Close the air bleed vent when the bubbles disappear and only the coolant is visible.

7.2.	Fill the radiator to just below the filler neck.

7.3.	Fill the coolant recovery reservoir to the FULL HOT mark.

7.4.	Add two cooling system sealer pellets, GM P/N 3634621.

7.5.	Install the reservoir cap.

Important: All 5.7L (VIN P) engines are equipped with a coolant level "latching" circuit. Read the circuit description under Section 8A-81, Low Coolant Indicator. Cycle the ignition from OFF to RUN before completing this procedure.

8. With the radiator pressure cap removed, run the engine until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

Caution: Under some conditions, the ethylene glycol engine coolant is combustible. In order to help avoid being burned, do not spill the antifreeze or the coolant on the exhaust system or the hot engine parts.

9. With the engine idling, add engine coolant to the radiator until the coolant level reaches the bottom of the filler neck.



10. Install the radiator pressure cap. The arrows (1) on the cap must line up with the vent tube (2).

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.

11. After the engine reaches normal operating temperature, inspect for coolant leaks.

Cooling System Draining and Filling 3800 VIN K

Tools Required

GM approved Recycling System such as Pro Clean (Available in the GM Dealer Equipment Program)

Whenever the cooling system needs maintenance or repairs, remove and replace the coolant with qualified new or recycled coolant.

If you only drain the radiator, up to 50 percent of the used, contaminated coolant can remain in the cooling system.

Use any of the following methods in order to remove the coolant:

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface.
2. Remove the coolant recovery reservoir fill cap.
3. Remove the radiator pressure cap.

3.1.	Slowly rotate the cap counter clockwise until the cap reaches the stop.

3.2.	Wait until any remaining pressure, indicated by a hissing sound, is relieved.

3.3.	After all the pressure is relieved, press down on the pressure cap and continue to rotate the pressure cap counter clockwise.




4. Open the radiator drain cock .



5. Open the air bleed vent located on top of the water outlet. Open the air bleed vent two or three turns.



6. Remove the engine knock sensors, located on either side of the engine block.

Important: Store used engine coolant in the proper manner, such as in a used engine coolant holding tank. Do not pour used engine coolant down a drain. Ethylene glycol antifreeze is a very toxic chemical. Do not dispose of coolant into the sewer system or ground water. This is illegal and ecologically unsound.

7. Allow the system to drain completely.

1. Close the radiator drain cock.



2. Install the engine knock sensors.

Tighten

•	Tighten the knock sensor to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

•	Tighten the radiator drain cock to 1.5 N·m (13 lb in).

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

3. Add enough water to fill the cooling system.
4. Run the engine until the thermostat opens.
5. Stop the engine. Repeat the draining procedure until the drained fluid is nearly colorless.
6. Remove, clean, and then reinstall the coolant recovery reservoir. Refer to Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement .



7. Add enough water and DEX-COOL™ engine coolant, meeting the GM specification 6277M in order to provide a solution that is at least 50% antifreeze, but no more than 70% antifreeze.

7.1.	Close the air bleed vent when the bubbles disappear and only the coolant is visible.

7.2.	Fill the radiator to below the fill neck.

7.3.	Fill the coolant recovery reservoir to the FULL HOT mark.

7.4.	Add two engine coolant supplement sealant pellets, GM P/N 3634621.

7.5.	Install the coolant recovery reservoir cap.

8. With the radiator pressure cap removed, run the engine until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

Caution: Under some conditions, the ethylene glycol engine coolant is combustible. In order to help avoid being burned, do not spill the antifreeze or the coolant on the exhaust system or the hot engine parts.

9. With the engine idling, add coolant to the radiator until the coolant level reaches the bottom of the filler neck.



10. Install the pressure cap. The arrows (1) on the cap must line up with the vent tube (2).
11. After the engine reaches normal operating temperature, check for coolant leaks.