Buick Regal: Cooling System Draining and Filling (GE 47716)

Special Tools

• GE-26568 Coolant and Battery Fluid Tester
• GE-42401 Radiator Cap and Surge Tank Test Adapter
• GE-47716 Vac N Fill Coolant Refill Tool

Draining Procedure

WARNING: With 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. Remove the coolant pressure cap.

2. Raise and support the vehicle. Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.

3.

{ If equipped }Underbody Skid Shield (2) - Remove.

4.

Front Compartment Air Deflector (4) - Remove.

5. Place a drain pan under the drain cock.

6.

Attach a rubber hose to the radiator drain port to guide the coolant into the drain pan. (1, 2).

7. Radiator Drain Cock (3) - Open.

8. Drain the cooling system.

9. Radiator Drain Cock (3) - Close.

10. Remove the drain hose (1) at the radiator drain port (2).

11. Remove the drain pan.

12.

Front Compartment Air Deflector (4) - Install.

13.

{ If equipped }Underbody Skid Shield (2) - Install.

14. Lower the vehicle.

15. Inspect the coolant.

16. Follow the appropriate procedure based on the condition of the coolant.

• Normal in appearance - Follow the filling procedure.
• Discolored - Follow the flush procedure.

Vac-N-Fill Procedure

WARNING: To avoid being burned, do not remove the radiator cap or surge tank cap while the engine is hot. The cooling system will release scalding fluid and steam under pressure if radiator cap or surge tank cap is removed while the engine and radiator are still hot.

1. Install the GE-42401 adapter onto the coolant surge tank.

2. Attach the Vac-N-Fill cap to the GE-42401 adapter.

3.

Attach the vacuum gauge assembly (1) to the Vac-N-Fill cap.

4.

Attach the fill hose (2) to the barb fitting on the vacuum gauge assembly (1).

Ensure that the valve is closed.

5.

NOTE: Use a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL antifreeze and clean, drinkable water.

Always use more coolant than necessary. This will eliminate air from being drawn into the cooling system.

Pour the coolant mixture into the graduated reservoir (1).

6. Place the fill hose in the graduated reservoir (1).

NOTE: Prior to installing the vacuum tank onto the graduated reservoir, ensure that the drain valve located on the bottom of the tank is closed.

7. Install the vacuum tank (2) on the graduated reservoir with the fill hose routed through the cut-out area (3) in the vacuum tank.

8.

Attach the venturi assembly (1) to the vacuum tank (2).

9.

Attach a shop air hose to the venturi assembly (1).

Ensure the valve (2) on the venturi assembly is closed.

10.

Attach the vacuum hose (1) to the vacuum gauge assembly (2) and the vacuum tank (3).

11.

Open the valve (1) on the venturi assembly (2). The vacuum gauge will begin to rise and a hissing noise will be present.

12.

Continue to draw vacuum until the needle stops rising (1). This should be 610-660 mm Hg (24-26 in Hg).

Cooling hoses may start to collapse. This is normal due to vacuum draw.

13. To aid in the fill process, position the graduated reservoir above the coolant fill port.

14.

Slowly open the valve (1) on the vacuum gauge assembly (2). When the coolant reaches the top of the fill hose, close the valve. This will eliminate air from the fill hose.

15. Close the valve on the venturi assembly.

16. 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.

17. Open the valve on the vacuum gauge assembly. The vacuum gauge will drop as coolant is drawn into the system.

18.

Once the vacuum gauge reaches zero (1), close the valve on the vacuum gauge assembly and repeat steps 11 - 17.

19. Detach the Vac-N-Fill cap from the GE-42401 adapter.

20. Remove the GE-42401 adapter from the coolant surge tank.

21. Add coolant to the system as necessary.

22. Inspect the concentration of the coolant mixture using GE-26568 tester.

NOTE: After filling the cooling system, the extraction hose can be used to remove excess coolant to achieve the proper coolant level.

23. Detach the vacuum hose from the vacuum gauge assembly.

24.

Attach the extraction hose (1) to the vacuum hose (2).

25.

Open the valve (1) on the venturi assembly (2) to start a vacuum draw.

26.

Use the extraction hose (1) to draw out coolant to the proper level.

27. 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.

28. Install the surge tank cap.

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