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  • #16
    How to drain and refill Coolant system.
    Don't forget to tighten your drain **** .

    ---------------------------------------------

    Draining and Filling Cooling System 3.8L
    Draining Procedure

    Caution
    As long as there is pressure in the cooling system, the temperature can be considerably higher than the boiling temperature of the solution in the radiator without causing the solution to boil. Removal of the pressure cap while the engine is hot and pressure is high will cause the solution to boil instantaneously -- possibly with explosive force -- spewing the solution over the engine, fenders and the person removing the cap.

    NOTICE
    When adding coolant, it is important that you use GM Goodwrench DEX-COOL® or HAVOLINE® DEX-COOL® coolant. If Coolant other than DEX-COOL® or HAVOLINE® DEX-COOL® is added to the system the engine coolant will require change sooner; at 50 000 km (30,000 mi) or 24 months.


    Park the vehicle on a level surface.
    Remove the coolant recovery reservoir fill cap.
    Remove the radiator pressure cap.
    Slowly rotate the cap counter clockwise until the cap reaches the stop. Do not press down while turning the radiator pressure cap.
    Wait until any remaining pressure, indicated by a hissing sound, is relieved.
    After all the pressure is relieved, press down on the pressure cap and continue to rotate the pressure cap counter clockwise.
    Open the radiator drain **** .
    Open the air bleed vent located on top of the water outlet. Open the air bleed vent two or three turns.
    Place a shop towel under the bleed valve in order to prevent coolant from splashing onto the EGR valve outlet pipe.
    Remove the engine knock sensors, located on either side of the engine block.

    Important
    Store used engine coolant in the proper manner, such as in a used engine coolant holding tank. Do not pour used engine 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.


    Allow the system to drain completely.
    Filling Procedure
    Close the radiator drain **** . Tighten
    Tighten the radiator drain **** to 1.5 N·m (13 lb in).

    Install the engine knock sensors. Tighten
    Tighten the knock sensor to 19 N·m (14 lb ft)

    Add enough water to fill the coolant system.
    Run the engine until the thermostat opens.
    Stop the engine. Repeat the draining procedure until the drained fluid is colorless.
    Remove, clean, and then reinstall the coolant recovery reservoir. Refer to Coolant Recovery Reservoir Replacement .
    Complete the following steps in order to fill the cooling system:
    Close the air bleed vent when the bubbles disappear and only the coolant is visible.
    Fill the radiator to below the fill neck.
    Fill the coolant recovery reservoir to the FULL HOT mark.
    Install the coolant recovery reservoir cap.
    With the radiator pressure cap removed, run the engine until the engine reaches normal operating temperature. The radiator inlet hose will become hot.
    With the engine idling, add coolant to the radiator until the coolant level reaches the bottom of the filler neck.
    Install the pressure cap. The arrows on the cap must line up with the vent tube.
    After the engine reaches normal operating temperature, check for coolant leaks.
    © Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Document ID # 295008
    1999 Pontiac Firebird
    Cardomain

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    • #17
      I just noticed you got the 3.4...It should be about the same anyway.
      Cardomain

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      • #18
        Alright, just took a few pics...hopefully this clarifies things for you White95.
        (copy and paste links into a new window)

        http://www.freewebs.com/bladebc/backf001.jpg
        http://www.freewebs.com/bladebc/backf002.jpg
        http://www.freewebs.com/bladebc/backf003.jpg

        All you do, is unscrew the cap and hook up a hose to that, then there's a piece that you plug into the radiator. Just run your engine, turn on the water, and it flushes everything straight out of the radiator. Works great, and like Christian said...it's very, very easy. Directions are very good. The best part: they sell this kit at AutoZone for like 4 bucks.
        1996 Pontiac Firebird: A4, Flowmaster 80 Series, dual 3\" Stainless Steel tips, SLP CAI, Alpine CDA-9813 deck, Infinity speakers, Alpine Type R sub, MTX Thunder 801d amp, Tsunami 2 Farad Capacitor.<br /> <a href=\"http://www.cardomain.com/id/firebirdfury\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.cardomain.com/id/firebirdfury</a>

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        • #19
          Links don't work...
          Ben<br /><br />1995 White/Black 3.4L<br />As far away from stock as possible<br /><a href=\"http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/view_page.pl?page_id=288292\" target=\"_blank\">My Site!!!</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.redlinevsix.com\" target=\"_blank\">RedLineV6</a><br />Rebuild and 3.4 T70 Turbo is complete<br />Details to come....

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          • #20
            Originally posted by White95:
            Links don't work...
            ....backflush system does ;)
            -235/4517 Chrome Mondera Solaris<br />-Hornet remote start-keyless entry<br />-Pioneer 8400/CD/MP3<br />-2 Audiobahn 10\'s in custom box<br />-Flowmaster exhaust-SLP CAI-*180<br /><br />Never underestimate the predictability of stupidity....Tony from \"Snatch\"

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            • #21
              Originally posted by White95:
              Links don't work...
              (copy and paste links into a new window)
              SOLD - 1999 Black Firebird<br />A4, T-tops, 3.42 gears, Y87 Package<br />[Appearance mods] Chrome side vents, Pontiac metallic silver rear inlay<br />[Performance mods] TSP Rumbler<br /> <a href=\"http://www.cardomain.com/id/eminemz115\" target=\"_blank\">PICS</a>

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              • #22
                Good info but I highly recommend using distilled water for flushing and refilling. If you get a good complete flush and then add only distilled water with your 50/50 dex-cool mix it will last alot longer before the "brown gunk" starts to show up again. Just get the gallon jugs of distilled water at walworld or wherever-it's cheap.
                99 Camaro 3.8 M5 Y87 Convertible

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                • #23
                  Originally posted by smiley49:
                  </font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by White95:
                  Links don't work...
                  (copy and paste links into a new window)
                  </font>[/QUOTE]Sorry, 22 hrs of work in 2 days is kinda rough..
                  Ben<br /><br />1995 White/Black 3.4L<br />As far away from stock as possible<br /><a href=\"http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/view_page.pl?page_id=288292\" target=\"_blank\">My Site!!!</a><br /><a href=\"http://www.redlinevsix.com\" target=\"_blank\">RedLineV6</a><br />Rebuild and 3.4 T70 Turbo is complete<br />Details to come....

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                  • #24
                    just to let it be known.. i checked the dipstick to my coolant today for my engine was getting kinda hot.. no coolant really, just brown cap.. I'm about to go buy the flush kit at auto zone.. $2.99 here and I have to buy the coolant and such as well. Do i have to put the car on ramps? and should i get my drainage bucket out of storage for this?

                    Also, I learned that this system isn't quite as good as a mechanic shops.. for the flush in this flows only one way, while mechanics have system that will flush in one direction, then go back the other way!
                    ~The Guru\'s Guru~<br />1999 Camaro,K&N,!MAF<br />!airsilencer,3.08s,<br />NGK-TR6\'s,Taylor Blue 8mm wires,FRAM,A4,Catco Cat, Magnaflow 3 inch catback,transgo shift kit<br />Waiting: RK sport headers, custom y pipe electric cutout<br /><a href=\"http://www.cardomain.com/id/divinejc\" target=\"_blank\">www.cardomain.com/id/divinejc</a>

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                    • #25
                      You guys would be better off doing a complete flush and then refilling the system with a 50/50 mix of water and the green stuff. The DEXCOOL is recommended only because it is supposed to be able to last 30k-50k miles (I think those #'s are right). But it's actually more harmful than good.

                      The sludge that you are seeing in the coolant are the particles of silicone that are suspended in the DEXCOOL. I don't know about you guys, but I would rather not have solid particles being pushed around by my water pump.

                      Just my $.02

                      - Justin
                      <a href=\"http://www.njfboa.org\" target=\"_blank\">New Jersey F-Body Owners Association</a><br />1987 Camaro LT - 400sbc, Aluminum L98\'s w/valve job, Comp XE 274, Q-Junk 750, 3.23 posi, 4.10\'s soon.<br /><br /><a href=\"http://www.njfboa.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=11\" target=\"_blank\">East Coast F-Body Nationals - August 14, 2005</a>

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                      • #26
                        so what, mix 50 percent water, 50 percent antifreeze?
                        ~The Guru\'s Guru~<br />1999 Camaro,K&N,!MAF<br />!airsilencer,3.08s,<br />NGK-TR6\'s,Taylor Blue 8mm wires,FRAM,A4,Catco Cat, Magnaflow 3 inch catback,transgo shift kit<br />Waiting: RK sport headers, custom y pipe electric cutout<br /><a href=\"http://www.cardomain.com/id/divinejc\" target=\"_blank\">www.cardomain.com/id/divinejc</a>

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                        • #27
                          i ended up doing the entire thing myself.. no more temp. fluctuations.. woo hoo!
                          ~The Guru\'s Guru~<br />1999 Camaro,K&N,!MAF<br />!airsilencer,3.08s,<br />NGK-TR6\'s,Taylor Blue 8mm wires,FRAM,A4,Catco Cat, Magnaflow 3 inch catback,transgo shift kit<br />Waiting: RK sport headers, custom y pipe electric cutout<br /><a href=\"http://www.cardomain.com/id/divinejc\" target=\"_blank\">www.cardomain.com/id/divinejc</a>

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                          • #28
                            btw, the previous owner had green coolant in there instead of dex cool

                            :(
                            ~The Guru\'s Guru~<br />1999 Camaro,K&N,!MAF<br />!airsilencer,3.08s,<br />NGK-TR6\'s,Taylor Blue 8mm wires,FRAM,A4,Catco Cat, Magnaflow 3 inch catback,transgo shift kit<br />Waiting: RK sport headers, custom y pipe electric cutout<br /><a href=\"http://www.cardomain.com/id/divinejc\" target=\"_blank\">www.cardomain.com/id/divinejc</a>

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