Home ReviewsRefund
Home/Chevrolet/Malibu/Chevrolet Malibu VI facelift (2006-2008)/Repair manual/Cooling System (Mechanical)/Engine Cooling System: Maintenance
Contents Wiring diagrams Section: Cooling System (Mechanical) All sections

Engine Cooling System: Maintenance Chevrolet Malibu VI facelift

Cooling System (Mechanical) ~556 words

Draining Procedure

CAUTIONWith 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 and support the vehicle. Refer to «Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle»(ref-269115-S22909578032007102900000) .
  3. Place a container under the radiator drain.
  4. Unscrew the radiator drain plug until coolant flows out the radiator drain.
  5. If a complete block drain is required, remove the coolant drain plugs. Refer to «Draining Fluids and Oil Filter Removal»(ref-269140-S29327312442007102900000) for the 3.5L engine or «Draining Fluids and Oil Filter Removal»(ref-269140-S29327312442007102900000) for the 3.9L engine.
  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»(ref-269125-S27903632742007102900000) .

Draining and Filling Cooling System (GE 47716)

Tools Required

  1. J 26568 Coolant and Battery Fluid Tester. See «Special Tools»(ref-269125-S38308891652007102900000) .
  2. J 42401 Radiator Pressure Adapter. See «Special Tools»(ref-269125-S38308891652007102900000) .
  3. GE-47716 Vac N Fill Coolant Refill Tool
  1. Unscrew the surge tank cap to remove vacuum when draining the coolant.
  2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to «Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle»(ref-269115-S22909578032007102900000) .
  3. Place a container under the radiator drain.
  4. Unscrew the radiator drain plug until coolant flows out the radiator drain.
  5. If a complete block drain is required, remove the drain plugs. Refer to the following: «Draining Fluids and Oil Filter Removal»(ref-269139-S01095755722007102900000) for the 2.2L engine «Draining Fluids and Oil Filter Removal»(ref-269140-S29327312442007102900000) for the 3.5L engine «Draining Fluids and Oil Filter Removal»(ref-269140-S29327312442007102900000) for the 3.9L engine
  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»(ref-269125-S27903632742007102900000) .
CAUTIONWith 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»(ref-269115-S22909578032007102900000) .
  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»(ref-269125-S27903632742007102900000) .

Flushing

IMPORTANTDo not use a chemical flush. Store used coolant in the proper manner, such as in a used engine coolant holding tank. Do not pour used coolant down a drain. Ethylene glycol antifreeze is a very toxic chemical. Do not dispose of coolant into the sewer system or ground water. This is illegal and ecologically unsound. Various methods and equipment can be used to flush the cooling system. If special equipment is used, such as a back flusher, follow the manufactures instruction. However, always remove the thermostat before back flushing the system.
  1. Apply the park brake.
  2. Drain the coolant. Refer to «Draining and Filling Cooling System (LZ4, LZ9)»(ref-269125-S06783192392007102900000) or «Draining and Filling Cooling System (GE 47716)»(ref-269125-S30645193322007102900000) or «Draining and Filling Cooling System (L61)»(ref-269125-S21497493672007102900000) .
  3. Fill the coolant system with clean drinkable water. Refer to «Draining and Filling Cooling System (LZ4, LZ9)»(ref-269125-S06783192392007102900000) or «Draining and Filling Cooling System (GE 47716)»(ref-269125-S30645193322007102900000) or «Draining and Filling Cooling System (L61)»(ref-269125-S21497493672007102900000) .
  4. Start the engine and run at 2,000 RPM until the thermostat opens.
  5. Turn OFF the engine.
  6. Drain the coolant system. Refer to «Draining and Filling Cooling System (LZ4, LZ9)»(ref-269125-S06783192392007102900000) or «Draining and Filling Cooling System (GE 47716)»(ref-269125-S30645193322007102900000) or «Draining and Filling Cooling System (L61)»(ref-269125-S21497493672007102900000) .
  7. Repeat the above procedure until the water from the coolant system is colorless.
  8. Drain the coolant system. Refer to «Draining and Filling Cooling System (LZ4, LZ9)»(ref-269125-S06783192392007102900000) or «Draining and Filling Cooling System (GE 47716)»(ref-269125-S30645193322007102900000) or «Draining and Filling Cooling System (L61)»(ref-269125-S21497493672007102900000) .
  9. Add 3.8 liters (1.0 gal) of concentrated antifreeze since there will be some water in the system.
  10. 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 «Draining and Filling Cooling System (LZ4, LZ9)»(ref-269125-S06783192392007102900000) or «Draining and Filling Cooling System (GE 47716)»(ref-269125-S30645193322007102900000) or «Draining and Filling Cooling System (L61)»(ref-269125-S21497493672007102900000) .

More articles — Engine Cooling System