Change Coolent Alero 2.4L

pv-alero · 08-17-2008, 11:54 AM

hi
I have a question, i want to change the coolent from my Car.
Is there any drain plug on the radiator, and when i let it out, is the system compleet empty ?

Where should i refill the system, i don't see a radiator cap ?
Is Dexcool the right stuff to refill, or should i use someting else ?

It's a 2001 Alero 2.4L automatic

greetings Patrick

rustyballs_69 · 08-17-2008, 12:04 PM

The drain on the radiator is on the drivers side under the front. If you look under the front bumper you can see it. It wont drain the entire system out though. If you are still running dexcool thats what you should put back in. You don't want to mix the green with the red. If you get the system flushed out you can run the green.

Beholder88 · 08-17-2008, 12:09 PM

I would drain all that you can from the drainrooster, then fill it with water and run it around the block or something. Then drain it again. Repeat this process until there is just straight water coming out of the drain. It wouldnt hurt to run some Prestone rad flush stuff through it either. Once the coolant is draining clear, you can close the drainrooster and fill it with some prestone all make/all models, or get some new dexcool. The prestone all makes/all models is cheaper.

pv-alero · 08-17-2008, 12:27 PM

Thanks for the advise,

I had read on the internet that there where some troubles (sludge and blown head gaskets) with Dexcool, is this true ?

I am living in the Netherlands (Europe) and we don't get that information from dealers, so i did read it on the internet.

And where should i refill the system, i don't see a radiator cap ?

Patrick

Beholder88 · 08-17-2008, 12:56 PM

The only time you end up with sludge and whatnot is when you mix the orange and green coolants together.There isn't actually a "rad cap" on these, you fill kt through the overflow tank on the passenger side of the engine compartment. Dont go all pour happy, add a little bit at a time to let it all filter down into the rad, maybe a half gallon at a time. Be sure to pay attention to the fill level marks on the side of the overflow tank, don't want to over-fill!

pv-alero · 08-23-2008, 10:36 AM

hi,

I drained my radiator from my 2.4L Alero, about 4,5L came out, i removed the lowest radiator hose, and i drained the radiator.
i want to put 4,5L new Cooldex in the reservoir, but i can't get it in (3L max).

Is there somewhere an air-nipple, so i can bleed the cooling system, and get all the air out ?

patrick