Cooling System Draining and Filling L61

Tools Required

J 26568 Coolant and Battery Fluid Tester

Caution: With a pressurized cooling system, the coolant temperature in the radiator can be considerably higher than the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure. Removal of the surge tank cap, while the cooling system is hot and under high pressure, causes the solution to boil instantaneously with explosive force. This will cause the solution to spew out over the engine, the fenders, and the person removing the cap. Serious bodily injury may result.

1. Unscrew the surge tank cap to remove vacuum when draining coolant.
2. Place a container under the radiator drain.



3. Unscrew the radiator drain plug until coolant flows out of the radiator drain.
4. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.




Important: Draining at water pump will drain the heater core and some of the engine block.

5. Place a container under the water pump housing and open the water pump drain plug.
6. Follow the appropriate procedure based on the condition of coolant.

•	Normal in appearance--Follow filling procedure.

•	Discolored--Follow flush procedure. Refer to Flushing .

Notice: The procedure below must be followed. Improper coolant level could result in a low or high coolant level condition, causing engine damage.

1. Close the radiator drain plug.
2. Close the water pump drain plug. Refer to Water Pump Installation in Engine Mechanical - 2.2L.
3. Lower the vehicle.
4. Vehicle should be level.



5. Add a mixture of  50/50 DEX-COOL® antifreeze and clean drinkable water until the level stabilizes at the weld seam on the surge tank. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities in Maintenance and Lubrication.



6. Install the surge tank cap.

Important: DO NOT exceed 2,200 RPM.

7. Start the engine and run at  2,000 RPM until the engine cooling fans turn ON.
8. Remove the surge tank cap.
9. Refill to the weld seam on the surge tank.

Important: Coolant should be at the full cold mark when the system cools.

10. Install the surge tank cap.
11. Inspect the concentration of engine coolant using J 26568 .
12. Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the engine compartment.

Cooling System Draining and Filling LX9

Tools Required

J 26568 Coolant and Battery Fluid Tester

Caution: With a pressurized cooling system, the coolant temperature in the radiator can be considerably higher than the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure. Removal of the surge tank cap, while the cooling system is hot and under high pressure, causes the solution to boil instantaneously with explosive force. This will cause the solution to spew out over the engine, the fenders, and the person removing the cap. Serious bodily injury may result.

1. Unscrew the surge tank cap to remove vacuum when draining coolant.
2. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
3. Place a container under the radiator drain.



4. Unscrew the radiator drain plug until coolant flows out the radiator drain.
5. Place a large pan under the engine block left coolant drain plug and remove the drain plug.



6. Follow the appropriate procedure based on the condition of the coolant.

•	Normal in appearance--Follow the filling procedure.

•	Discolored--Follow the flush procedure. Refer to Flushing .

Notice: The procedure below must be followed. Improper coolant level could result in a low or high coolant level condition, causing engine damage.

1. Install the engine block left coolant drain plug. Refer to Engine Block Assemble in Engine Mechanical - 3.5L.
2. Close the radiator drain plug.
3. Lower the vehicle.
4. Vehicle should be level.



5. Add a mixture of 50/50 DEX-COOL® antifreeze and clean drinkable water until the level stabilizes at the weld seam on the surge tank. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities in Maintenance and Lubrication.



6. Unscrew the coolant bleed screw on the engine until coolant comes out of the bleed screw.
7. Close the bleed screw.
8. Add coolant until the level stabilizes at the weld seam on the surge tank.



9. Install the surge tank cap.

Important: DO NOT exceed 2,200 RPM.

10. Start the engine and run at 2,000 RPM until the engine cooling fans turn ON.
11. Remove the surge tank cap.
12. Refill to the weld seam on the surge tank.

Important: Coolant should be at the full cold mark when the system cools.

13. Install the surge tank cap.
14. Inspect the concentration of the engine coolant using J 26568 .
15. Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the engine compartment.