How do you flush the radiator on a 2002 Chevy Impala?

Answer 1

Required: Radiator flush; two gals. Dex-Cool anitfreeze; Spare radiator drain plug : Spare radiator plug avialable in case you break it during plug removal. You can always return the new plug if not used; Put child, dog, cat, bird, etc. in the house and tell the wife not to let then out of the house w/o your permission (see D). A) Engine should be cold. B) Remove radiator cap. Turn left until it stops. Press down and turn left again until cap can be lifted up. C) Turn radiator drain plug (this plug may need to be turned left and removed). Alternative? Leave the plug alone and just disconnect the bottom radiator hose and drain fluid into a tub. D) Fully drain radiator. NOTE: catch the fluid it's posion, smells and tast sweet, it's better than kool aid and it's sure to kill your anything you love. E) Close radiator plug or replace hose if you took if off. F) Pour radiator flush into radiator and add water to top of radiator neck. G) Put radiator cap on by pushing down, turn right, line arrow on cap to point to the hose/tube going to the coolant recovery tank. Fill coolant recovery tank to the full level mark with water. H) Get rid of the old antifreeze and we don't suggest pouring it on the ground. I) Tell wife kids and pets can come outside. J) Start engine and run following directions on flush product. I like to drive 25 to 35 miles. After 20 to 35 miles the flush should have done it's job. Repeat A-E. Then, F) Mix 50/50 water & new antifreez (cat, dog, bird, kids in the house again) G) Fill coolant recovery tank to the cold level mark with the 50/50 mix. Put cap on coolant recovery tank. H) Bleed the coolant system! Easy, the small 3400 engine has two coolant air bleed valves. #1 On the termostat housing. #2 On the thermostate bypass tube. 3800 has one bleed valve located on the thermostate housing. Pictures? Check the owner guide that came with your Impala. I) Open the bleeder valves then pour 50/50 mix into the radiator neck. If you see fluid coming out of the air bleeder valve then close the valve that is bleeding. Otherwise, close the valves after the radiator is filled. Fill to bottom of radiator neck. The fluid pushs air out of the hoses and assures an air pocket doesn't block fluid flow. J) Check the coolant recovery tank and add 50/50 mix as needed to fill tank to the cold mark. K) Put the cap back on the recovery tank but leave the radiator cap off. L) Start engine and let it run until you can feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. L) Top up, to base of radiator neck, with 50/50 mix and replace the pressure cap. Arrow pointing to the recovey tank hose. M) Check the coolant recovery tank level over the next few days to assure level is correct: Hot level when engine is hot and cold level when engine is cold. Easier to see if you highlite the hot / cold level mark with paint or finger nail polish. Good luck!