Engine Cooling System: Maintenance Chevrolet Traverse I

Draining Procedure

1. Remove the radiator cap.
2. Attach the venturi assembly to the vacuum tank.
3. Attach a shop air hose to the venturi assembly. Ensure the valve on the venturi assembly is closed.
4. Attach the vacuum hose to the vacuum tank.
5. Attach the extraction hose to the vacuum hose.
6. Insert the extraction hose into the radiator cap opening and into the radiator until the extraction hose contacts the bottom of the radiator end tank.
7. Open the valve on the venturi assembly to start a vacuum draw.
8. Use the extraction hose to draw out coolant until the radiator is empty.
9. The vacuum tank has a drain valve on the bottom of the tank. Open the valve to drain coolant from the vacuum tank into a suitable container for disposal.
10. If a complete engine block drain is required, remove the engine block drain plug.
11. Inspect the coolant.
12. 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-365258-S19355248702010070600000) .

Vac-N-Fill Procedure

Note. To prevent boiling of the coolant/water mixture in the vehicles cooling system, do not apply vacuum to a cooling system above 49°C (120°F). The tool will not operate properly when the coolant is boiling.

1. Attach the Vac-N-Fill cap to the vehicles coolant fill port.
2. Install the extension hose.
3. Attach the vacuum gage assembly to the Vac-N-Fill cap.
4. Attach the fill hose to the barb fitting on the vacuum gage assembly. Ensure that the valve is closed.
5. Pour the coolant mixture into the graduated reservoir.
6. Place the fill hose in the graduated reservoir.
7. Install the vacuum tank on the graduated reservoir with the fill hose routed through the cut-out area in the vacuum tank.
8. Attach the venturi assembly to the vacuum tank.
9. Attach a shop air hose to the venturi assembly. Ensure the valve on the venturi assembly is closed.
10. Attach the vacuum hose to the vacuum gage assembly and the vacuum tank.
11. Clamp off the overflow hose.
12. Open the valve on the venturi assembly. The vacuum gage will begin to rise and a hissing noise will be present.
13. Continue to draw vacuum until the needle stops rising. This should be 610-660 mm Hg (24-26 in HG). Cooling hoses may start to collapse. This is normal due to vacuum draw.
14. To aid in the fill process, position the graduated reservoir above the coolant fill port.
15. Slowly open the valve on the vacuum gage assembly. When the coolant reaches the top of the fill hose, close the valve. This will eliminate air from the fill hose.
16. Close the valve on the venturi assembly.
17. If there is a suspected leak in the cooling system, allow the system to stabilize under vacuum and monitor for vacuum loss. If vacuum loss is observed, refer to «Loss of Coolant»(ref-365258-S23675562572010070600000) .
18. Open the valve on the vacuum gage assembly. The vacuum gage will drop as coolant is drawn into the system.
19. Once the vacuum gage reaches zero, close the valve on the vacuum gage assembly and repeat steps 11-17. Remove the extension hose.
20. Remove the J 42401 . See «Special Tools»(ref-365258-S22652464802010070600000) .
21. Detach the Vac-N-Fill cap from the vehicles coolant fill port.
22. Add coolant to the system as necessary.
23. Inspect the concentration of the coolant mixture using J 26568 . See «Special Tools»(ref-365258-S22652464802010070600000) .
24. Detach the vacuum hose form the vacuum gage assembly.
25. Attach the extraction hose to the vacuum hose.
26. Open the valve on the venturi assembly to start a vacuum draw.
27. Use the extraction hose to draw out coolant to the proper level.
28. The vacuum tank has a drain valve on the bottom of the tank. Open the valve to drain coolant from the vacuum tank into a suitable container for disposal.

Flushing

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 manufacturer's instruction. Always remove the thermostat before flushing the cooling system.

When the cooling system becomes contaminated, the cooling system should be flushed thoroughly to remove the contaminants before the engine is seriously damaged.

1. Drain the cooling system. Refer to «Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static Fill)»(ref-365258-S42715675352010070600000) or «Cooling System Draining and Filling (Vac N Fill)»(ref-365258-S15415891712010070600000) .
2. Remove the coolant recovery reservoir. Refer to «Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement»(ref-365258-S20436989342010070600000) .
3. Clean and flush the coolant recovery reservoir with clean, drinkable water.
4. Install the coolant recovery reservoir. Refer to «Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement»(ref-365258-S20436989342010070600000) .
5. Follow the drain and fill procedure using only clean, drinkable water. Refer to «Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static Fill)»(ref-365258-S42715675352010070600000) or «Cooling System Draining and Filling (Vac N Fill)»(ref-365258-S15415891712010070600000) .
6. Run the engine for 20 minutes.
7. Stop the engine.
8. Drain the cooling system. Refer to «Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static Fill)»(ref-365258-S42715675352010070600000) or «Cooling System Draining and Filling (Vac N Fill)»(ref-365258-S15415891712010070600000) .
9. Repeat the procedure if necessary, until the fluid is nearly colorless.
10. Fill the cooling system. Refer to «Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static Fill)»(ref-365258-S42715675352010070600000) or «Cooling System Draining and Filling (Vac N Fill)»(ref-365258-S15415891712010070600000) .