Cooling System Bleeding Chevrolet Corvette C5

1. Fill system through radiator surge tank opening up to base of fill neck. Start engine and idle for one minute. Install radiator surge tank cap. Cycle RPM from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 210°F (99°C). Shut off engine.
2. Loosen radiator surge tank cap. After all hissing stops, remove cap. Start engine. Idle engine for one minute and fill surge tank to between FULL COLD and FULL HOT. Install radiator surge tank cap. Cycle RPM from idle to 3000 in 30 second intervals until engine coolant reaches 210°F (99°C). Shut off engine. Top off coolant as necessary.

Removal

Note. Removal steps are in specific order. Follow steps in order to avoid possible vehicle damage.

Scheme 1

Scheme 2

Scheme 3

1. For 2000 models, disconnect negative battery cable. Raise and support vehicle. Drain coolant. Lower vehicle. Discharge A/C system using approved refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment. Plug openings. Disconnect IAT and MAF sensor connectors. Disconnect fuel regulator purge line from air intake duct. Remove air intake duct and air cleaner assembly. Remove upper radiator support. Remove radiator. Remove Electronic Brake Control Module/Break Pressure Modulator Valve (EBTCM/BPMV) and bracket. Position brake pipes aside. Remove accessory drive belt. Remove fuel rail covers. Relieve fuel system pressure. See «FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE»(ref-97422-S10869845392001050700000). NOTE: Cap fittings and plug holes when separating fuel system components in order to prevent leakage and/or dirt and other contaminants from entering fuel system.
2. For 2001 models, discharge A/C system using approved refrigerant recovery/recycling equipment. Remove radiator. Remove Brake Pressure Modulator Valve (BPMV). Position brake pipes aside. Remove accessory drive belt. Remove right fuel rail cover. Relieve fuel system pressure. See «FUEL PRESSURE RELEASE»(ref-97422-S10869845392001050700000). Disconnect EVAP purge hose at fuel line. NOTE: Cap fittings and plug holes when separating fuel system components in order to prevent leakage and/or dirt and other contaminants from entering fuel system.
3. For all models, disconnect fuel lines at fuel rail. Disconnect radiator and heater hoses from water pump. Disconnect electrical connectors from fuel injectors, ignition coil main connectors, evaporative purge solenoid, electric throttle motor, Throttle Position (TP) sensor, Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor and A/C compressor.
4. Disconnect generator electrical connectors. Remove generator rear bracket bolts and bracket. Remove generator mounting bolts and generator. Disconnect brake booster vacuum hose at brake booster. Remove intermediate shaft-to-steering shaft bolt. Disconnect intermediate steering shaft from steering gear, and wire aside. Disconnect Air Injection Reactor (AIR) hose from left exhaust manifold. NOTE: DO NOT remove engine flywheel housing-to-driveline support assembly bolts at this time.
5. Raise vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove intermediate exhaust pipe. Remove close-out panel bolts and panel to access lower engine components. Remove starter electrical connectors. Remove all grounds from right side of engine block. Remove starter bolts and starter. Disconnect oil level sensor connector. Disconnect crank position sensor connector. Disconnect right front HO2S connector. Remove A/C compressor hose retaining bolt. Remove A/C compressor hose from compressor, and plug openings. Disconnect engine oil temperature sensor connector. Disconnect all grounds from left side of engine block. Disconnect left front HO2S connector.
6. Remove front stabilizer bar bolts and straps. Disconnect front stabilizer bar from cradle. Disconnect electrical connectors and harness from electric cooling fans. Remove electric cooling fan bolts and cooling fans.
7. Using Spring Compressor (J 33432-A), compress front transverse spring. (Scheme 1) Remove tie rod end nuts. Remove tie rod ends from steering knuckles using Ball Joint Separator (J 42188). Disconnect all electrical connectors at cradle. Remove lower shock absorber mounting bolts. Separate lower ball joints using ball joint separator. Remove spring compressor from front transverse spring.
8. On A/T equipped vehicles, disconnect A/T cooler lines at engine flywheel housing junction and at radiator. Remove 2 plugs in driveline support assembly. (Scheme 2) Install a 55 mm or longer 10" X 1.5" bolt into each location. Tighten bearing support bolts to 26 ft. lbs. (35 N.m). Remove engine flywheel housing access plug. Rotate flywheel hub collar to access bolt, and loosen bolt. (Scheme 3) On M/T equipped models, Unclip clutch actuator hose from engine flywheel housing clip. Using Hydraulic Clutch Line Separator (J 36221) depress release ring on actuator hose and simultaneously pull lightly on clutch master cylinder hose to disconnect. Wrap both ends of hose to protect them. Remove engine flywheel housing bolts from driveline support assembly.
9. On all models, install driveline support to close-out panel flange. Partially lower vehicle. Support engine and front cradle on Engine Support Table (J 39580). Remove front cradle nuts. Partially lower engine and cradle.
10. Label and disconnect electrical connectors from engine oil pressure gauge, camshaft position sensor, MAP sensor and knock sensor. Disconnect ground on rear of left head, and all remaining electrical connections.
11. Remove front driveline support assembly bolts. Slide engine and cradle assembly forward to clear drive shaft splines. Raise vehicle completely off of engine and cradle assembly. NOTE: It is not necessary to open power steering system during engine removal.
12. Remove P/S pump and reservoir, and wire to cradle. Remove engine mount-to-cradle nuts. Remove engine from cradle.

Installation

To install, reverse removal procedure. Fill crankcase. Fill and bleed cooling system. See COOLING SYSTEM BLEEDING . Evacuate and recharge A/C system. On A/T equipped vehicles, leave flywheel hub collar bolt out on initial start-up. Idle or drive vehicle for at least 10 minutes. Look for coolant or oil leaks. Shut off engine and allow to cool to room temperature. Install hub collar bolt and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .