Engine Cooling System: Maintenance Chevrolet Volt I

Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers

Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers

Scheme 12

Draining Procedure

1. To drain the engine radiator, remove the engine coolant temperature sensor fron the radiator. Refer to «Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Replacement»(ref-487508-S40390593222012072300000)
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 outlet front hose until the extraction hose contacts the bottom of the radiator outlet hose.
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. To drain the heater cooling loop, remove the hose from the inlet of the heater water auxiliary pump. Refer to «Heater Water Auxiliary Pump Replacement»(ref-487454-S20162981302012072300000)
12. Inspect the coolant.
13. 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-487508-S25813186332012072300000)

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. Install GE-42401-2 Radiator Cap and Surge Tank Test Adapter into the surge tank fill neck.
2. Install GE-42401-3 Radiator Cap and Surge Tank Test Adapter to the surge tank fill neck.
3. Attach the Vac N Fill cap to the GE-42401-3 Radiator Cap and Surge Tank Test Adapter.
4. Attach the vacuum gauge assembly to the Vac N Fill cap.
5. Attach the fill hose to the barb fitting on the vacuum gauge assembly. Ensure that the valve is closed.
6. Pour the coolant mixture into the graduated reservoir.
7. Place the fill hose in the graduated reservoir.
8. Install the vacuum tank on the graduated reservoir with the fill hose routed through the cut-out area in the vacuum tank.
9. Attach the venturi assembly to the vacuum tank.
10. Attach a shop air hose to the venturi assembly. Ensure the valve on the venturi assembly is closed.
11. Attach the vacuum hose to the vacuum gauge assembly and the vacuum tank.
12. Position the passenger compartment heater coolant control solenoid valve to normal using GDS. The hybrid powertrain control module 2 controls the passenger compartment heater coolant control solenoid Valve
13. Open the valve on the venturi assembly. The vacuum gauge will begin to rise and a hissing noise will be present.
14. 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.
15. To aid in the fill process, position the graduated reservoir above the coolant fill port.
16. Slowly open the valve on the vacuum gauge assembly. When the coolant reaches the top of the fill hose, close the valve. This will eliminate air from the fill hose.
17. Close the valve on the venturi assembly.
18. 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-487508-S10104415102012072300000) .
19. Open the valve on the vacuum gauge assembly. The vacuum gauge will drop as coolant is drawn into the system.
20. Once the vacuum gauge reaches zero, close the valve on the vacuum gauge.
21. Repeat steps 14-21 one time.
22. Detach the Vac N Fill cap from the GE-42401-3 Radiator Cap and Surge Tank Test Adapter.
23. Remove GE-42401-2 Radiator Cap and Surge Tank Test Adapter from the surge tank fill neck.
24. Add coolant to the system as necessary.
25. Turn on the auxiliary coolant pump for 2 minutes using the GDS. The remote HVAC module controls the auxiliary coolant pump.
26. Start the engine.
27. Using GDS, increase the speed to 2000 rpm until the thermostat opens (approximately 100C).
28. Turn engine off.
29. Turn on the auxiliary coolant pump for 1 minute using GDS.
30. Turn off the auxiliary coolant pump and wait 5 minutes.
31. Repeat steps 24-30, three times.
32. Inspect the concentration of the coolant mixture using GE-26568 Coolant and Battery Tester.
33. Detach the vacuum hose form the vacuum gauge assembly.
34. Attach the extraction hose to the vacuum hose.
35. Open the valve on the venturi assembly to start a vacuum draw.
36. Use the extraction hose to draw out coolant to the proper level.
37. 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

Note. This procedure is intended for the engine cooling system only. Never use this procedure to flush the hybrid cooling system.

Note. Do 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 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»(ref-487508-S37661417372012072300000) .
2. Remove the coolant recovery reservoir. Refer to «Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement»(ref-487508-S08345112882012072300000) .
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-487508-S08345112882012072300000) .
5. Follow the drain and fill procedure using only clean, drinkable water. Refer to «Cooling System Draining and Filling»(ref-487508-S37661417372012072300000) .
6. Run the engine for 20 minutes.
7. Stop the engine.
8. Drain the cooling system. Refer to «Cooling System Draining and Filling»(ref-487508-S37661417372012072300000)
9. Repeat the procedure if necessary, until the fluid is nearly colorless.
10. Fill the cooling system. Refer to «Cooling System Draining and Filling»(ref-487508-S37661417372012072300000) .