Cooling System Bleeding
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Bonneville, 2003 Buick Park Avenue, and 2003 Buick LeSabre. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
CAUTION:
Do not add any engine coolant supplement sealant pellets to the cooling system. When adding coolant, it is important that you use GM Goodwrench Dex-Cool® or Havoline® DEX-COOL® coolant.
NOTE:
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.
- Ensure the radiator drain cock is closed. Remove the radiator cap. Fill the radiator and the coolant reservoir to the full cold line with GM Goodwrench® DEX-COOL® or Havoline® DEX-COOL® coolant. To ensure sufficient engine cooling, freezing and corrosion protection, maintain the protection level at -34°F (-37°C). Wait for two minutes and recheck the level of the coolant in the radiator.
- If necessary, add coolant to radiator until the coolant level is at the base of the radiator fill neck. Install the radiator pressure cap, making sure the arrows on the cap line up with the coolant recovery tube. Place the heater and A/C control in any A/C mode except Max and the temperature in the highest setting. Start the engine and allow to idle until the lower radiator-to-coolant pump hose is hot.
- Cycle the engine speed up to about 3000 RPM and back to idle five times. Slowly open the bleed valve on the top of the thermostat housing for approximately 15 seconds to expel any trapped air in the cooling system. Close the air bleed valve. Do not overtighten. Allow the engine to cool to outside temperature. Ensure the coolant level in the reservoir and the radiator are at the proper levels.