GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cooling System Draining and Filling V6

Draining Procedure

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


    Object Number: 456596  Size: SH
  4. Remove the radiator pressure cap (1) from the radiator (2).
  5. 3.1. Slowly rotate the pressure cap (1) counterclockwise until the cap (1) reaches the detent. Do not press down while rotating the pressure cap (1).
    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 (1) and continue to rotate the pressure cap (1) counterclockwise.

            Important: Recover and store used coolant in a used coolant holding tank and submit the used coolant for recycling on a regular basis. DO NOT pour used coolant down the drain! Ethylene glycol antifreeze is very toxic. Disposing of ethylene glycol into the sewer system or ground water is both illegal and ecologically unsound!

  6. Place a drain pan under the radiator drain cock in order to collect all the used coolant.

  7. Object Number: 457901  Size: SH
  8. Open the radiator drain cock.
  9. Place a shop towel under the bleed valve in order to prevent coolant from splashing onto the EGR valve outlet pipe.
  10. Open the air bleed vent on top of the water outlet two complete turns.
  11. Place a drain pan under the engine block knock sensors in order to collect the used coolant.

  12. Object Number: 187243  Size: SH
  13. Disconnect the knock sensor electrical connectors. (left side shown, right side similar)

  14. Object Number: 21707  Size: SH
  15. Remove both of the engine knock sensors. (left side shown, right side similar)
  16. Allow the cooling system to drain completely.

Filling Procedure

  1. Remove, clean, and reinstall the coolant recovery reservoir. Refer to Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement .

  2. Object Number: 457901  Size: SH
  3. Close the radiator drain cock.

  4. Object Number: 21707  Size: SH
  5. Install both the engine knock sensors.
  6. Tighten

        • Tighten the knock sensors to 19 N·m (14 lb ft).
        • Tighten the radiator drain cock to 1.5 N·m (13 lb in).

    Object Number: 187243  Size: SH
  7. Connect the knock sensor electrical connectors.

  8. Object Number: 70035  Size: SH
  9. Add two engine coolant supplement sealant pellets, GM P/N 3634621 or equivalent into the radiator.
  10. NOTICE: When adding coolant, it is important that you use GM Goodwrench DEX-COOL® or HAVOLINE® DEX-COOL® coolant. If Coolant other than DEX-COOL® or HAVOLINE® DEX-COOL® is added to the system the engine coolant will require change sooner; at 50 000 km (30,000 mi) or 24 months.

  11. Slowly add a 50/50 mixture of GM Goodwrench DEX-COOL or HAVOLINE DEX-COOL and clean drinkable water to the radiator until the coolant level is at the base of the radiator fill neck.
  12. Close the air bleed vent when the bubbles disappear and only the coolant is visible.
  13. Fill the coolant recovery reservoir to the FULL HOT mark with a 50/50 mixture of GM Goodwrench DEX-COOL or HAVOLINE DEX-COOL and clean, drinkable water.
  14. Install the coolant recovery reservoir cap.
  15. Run the engine until the engine reaches normal operating temperature. The radiator inlet hose will become hot.
  16. After the engine reaches normal operating temperature, check for coolant leaks.
  17. Wait for two minutes and recheck the level of the coolant in the radiator.
  18. If needed, add coolant to the radiator until the coolant level reaches the bottom of the radiator fill neck.

  19. Object Number: 456596  Size: SH
  20. Install the radiator pressure cap (1) to the radiator (2).

  21. Object Number: 456597  Size: SH
  22. Ensure that the radiator cap (1) arrows point toward the radiator overflow tube.

Cooling System Draining and Filling V8

Draining Procedure

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


    Object Number: 456596  Size: SH
  4. Remove the radiator pressure cap (1) from the radiator (2).
  5. • Slowly rotate the pressure cap (1) counterclockwise until the cap (1) reaches the detent. Do not press down while rotating the pressure cap (1).
    • Wait until any remaining pressure, indicated by a hissing sound, is relieved.
    • After all the pressure is relieved, press down on the pressure cap (1) and continue to rotate the pressure cap (1) counterclockwise.

       Important: Recover and store used coolant in a used coolant holding tank and submit the used coolant for recycling on a regular basis. DO NOT pour used coolant down the drain! Ethylene glycol antifreeze is very toxic. Disposing of ethylene glycol into the sewer system or ground water is both illegal and ecologically unsound!

  6. Place a drain pan under the radiator drain cock in order to collect all the used coolant.

  7. Object Number: 457901  Size: SH
  8. Open the radiator drain cock.

  9. Object Number: 457154  Size: SH
  10. Remove the right side engine block drain hole plug.

  11. Object Number: 457157  Size: SH
  12. Remove the left side engine block drain hole plug.
  13. Allow the cooling system to drain completely.

Filling Procedure

Notice: DO NOT use cooling system seal tabs, or similar compounds, unless otherwise instructed. The use of cooling system seal tabs, or similar compounds, may restrict coolant flow through the passages of the cooling system or the engine components. Restricted coolant flow may cause engine overheating and/or damage to the cooling system or the engine components/assembly.

  1. Remove, clean, and reinstall the coolant recovery reservoir. Refer to Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement .

  2. Object Number: 457157  Size: SH
  3. Install the left side engine block drain hole plug.

  4. Object Number: 457154  Size: SH
  5. Remove the right side engine block drain hole plug.

  6. Object Number: 457901  Size: SH
  7. Close the radiator drain cock.
  8. Tighten

        • Tighten the drain hole plugs to 60 N·m (44 lb ft).
        • Tighten the radiator drain cock to 1.5 N·m (13 lb in).
  9. Slowly add a 50/50 mixture of GM Goodwrench DEX-COOL or HAVOLINE DEX-COOL and clean drinkable water to the radiator until the coolant level is at the base of the radiator fill neck.
  10. Fill the coolant recovery reservoir to the FULL HOT mark with a 50/50 mixture of GM Goodwrench DEX-COOL or HAVOLINE DEX-COOL and clean, drinkable water.
  11. Install the coolant recovery reservoir cap.
  12. Run the engine until the engine reaches normal operating temperature. The radiator inlet hose will become hot.
  13. After the engine reaches normal operating temperature, check for coolant leaks.
  14. Wait two minutes and recheck the level of the coolant in the radiator.
  15. If needed, add coolant to the radiator until the coolant level reaches the bottom of the radiator fill neck.

  16. Object Number: 456596  Size: SH
  17. Install the radiator pressure cap (1) to the radiator (2).

  18. Object Number: 456597  Size: SH
  19. Ensure that the radiator cap (1) arrows point toward the radiator overflow tube.