GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cooling System Draining and Filling L36

Tools Required

J 26568 Coolant and Battery Tester

Draining Procedure


    Object Number: 13759  Size: SH

    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.

    Important: Draining the cooling system with the pressure cap installed will syphon the coolant from the overflow tank.

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Place a drain pan under the drain cock.
  3. Open the radiator drain cock.
  4. Drain the cooling system.
  5. Remove the coolant recovery reservoir. Refer to Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement .
  6. 5.1. Clean the outside of the coolant recovery reservoir.
    5.2. Pour out any fluid.
    5.3. Thoroughly clean the inside of the coolant recovery reservoir using soap and water.
    5.4. Thoroughly flush the coolant recovery reservoir with clean water and drain.
  7. Install the coolant recovery reservoir. Refer to Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement .
  8. Inspect the coolant.
  9. Follow the appropriate procedure based on the condition of the coolant.
  10. • Normal in appearance--Follow the filling procedure.
    • Discolored--Follow the flush procedure. Refer to Flushing .

Filling Procedure

    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 cock.
  2. Lower the vehicle.
  3. Important: Use a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL antifreeze and clean, drinkable water.

  4. Slowly fill the cooling system with a 50/50 coolant mixture. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities in Maintenance and Lubrication.
  5. Install the coolant pressure cap.
  6. Start the engine.
  7. Run the engine at 2,000-2,500 RPM until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
  8. Allow the engine to idle for 3 minutes.
  9. Shut the engine OFF.
  10. Allow the engine to cool.
  11. Top off the coolant as necessary.
  12. Inspect the concentration of the engine coolant. Using the J 26568 .
  13. Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the engine compartment.

Cooling System Draining and Filling LD8

Tools Required

J 26568 Coolant and Battery Tester

Draining Procedure

    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.

  1. Remove the front air deflector. Refer to Front Air Deflector Replacement in Body Front End.

  2. Object Number: 450506  Size: SH
  3. Place a drain pan under the drain cock.
  4. Open the radiator drain cock.
  5. Drain the cooling system.
  6. Remove the surge tank. Refer to Radiator Surge Tank Replacement .
  7. 5.1. Clean the outside of the surge tank.
    5.2. Pour out any fluid.
    5.3. Thoroughly clean the inside of the surge tank using soap and water.
    5.4. Thoroughly flush the surge tank with clean water and drain.
  8. Install the surge tank. Refer to Radiator Surge Tank Replacement .
  9. Inspect the coolant.
  10. Follow the appropriate procedure based on the condition of the coolant.
  11. • Normal in appearance--Follow the filling procedure.
    • Discolored--Follow the flush procedure. Refer to Flushing .

Filling Procedure

    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 cock.
  2. Install the front air deflector. Refer to Front Air Deflector Replacement in Body Front End.

  3. Object Number: 569431  Size: SH

    Important: Use a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL antifreeze and clean, drinkable water.

  4. Slowly fill the cooling system with a 50/50 coolant mixture. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities in Maintenance and Lubrication.
  5. Install the coolant pressure cap.
  6. Start the engine.
  7. Run the engine at 2,000-2,500 RPM until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
  8. Allow the engine to idle for 3 minutes.
  9. Shut the engine OFF.
  10. Allow the engine to cool.
  11. Top off the coolant as necessary.
  12. Inspect the concentration of the engine coolant. Using the J 26568 .
  13. Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the engine compartment.