what is the correct method to replace coolant on a 2001 Silverado 5.3L?
CK5
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what is the correct method to replace coolant on a 2001 Silverado 5.3L?
- Thread starter wazzabie
- Start date
Drain from rad or Thermostat housing and refill via upper radiator hose.
Ideally using a vac-n-fill is the best option once the system is drained. It will insure the system is free of air when coolant is put back in.
Harbor Freight does sell a kit to do just that. I’ve only used the the gm and snap on versions though. But the process is the same in that it uses your air compressor to create a vacuum on the cooling system, typically if the system is sealed you’ll pull down to 20 inches of vacuum. If it don’t pull down that low or maintain with the air shut off the system isn’t sealed and would leak coolant once you put it in. But if it holds you open a valve and the tool will suck coolant out of your bottle.
If you don’t have access to the tool, like it was mentioned before fill the system from the upper radiator hose. Leave the system open at the radiator and let it idle to burp any residual air out of the system.
Harbor Freight does sell a kit to do just that. I’ve only used the the gm and snap on versions though. But the process is the same in that it uses your air compressor to create a vacuum on the cooling system, typically if the system is sealed you’ll pull down to 20 inches of vacuum. If it don’t pull down that low or maintain with the air shut off the system isn’t sealed and would leak coolant once you put it in. But if it holds you open a valve and the tool will suck coolant out of your bottle.
If you don’t have access to the tool, like it was mentioned before fill the system from the upper radiator hose. Leave the system open at the radiator and let it idle to burp any residual air out of the system.
I would like to replace more coolant then just what is in the radiator. If I remove the lower radiator hose would that also empty the engine block coolant? Also I'll be removing the coolant reservoir as that has gone bad.
There maybe 2 cooling jacket plugs in the block. Low by pan in middle. You can drain the block with these if they are there.
Will help get the crud out too
Will help get the crud out too
The service manual says to drain, flush and refill the cooling system. I'm at 150K miles.
Is flushing just removing all the coolant or do I need to use some flushing solution?
Is flushing just removing all the coolant or do I need to use some flushing solution?
Instructions I've seen elsewhere were to drain, fill with distilled water, start engine, turn off, drain, then fill with proper mix.
As long as the lower radiator hose is the lowest point, you will probably get most of the coolant out via the petcock on the radiator if it has one.
Don't get too worked up about getting "all" of it out IMO. Without removing the engine, and removing every bolt and accessory, then rotating the engine around (as anyone who has pulled a motor will tell you) there WILL be old coolant left. But with the proper fluid mixture and scheduled fluid changes, that remainder will be well diluted on refill.
I drain mine into gallon jugs, which gives me a good idea of what came out vs. what the stated coolant capacity is. Minus what invariably ends up spilling all over the place lol.
As long as the lower radiator hose is the lowest point, you will probably get most of the coolant out via the petcock on the radiator if it has one.
Don't get too worked up about getting "all" of it out IMO. Without removing the engine, and removing every bolt and accessory, then rotating the engine around (as anyone who has pulled a motor will tell you) there WILL be old coolant left. But with the proper fluid mixture and scheduled fluid changes, that remainder will be well diluted on refill.
I drain mine into gallon jugs, which gives me a good idea of what came out vs. what the stated coolant capacity is. Minus what invariably ends up spilling all over the place lol.
Yeah, you realize how much coolant is left after draining once you flip an engine upside down on your engine stand. That's not even mentioning the front/rear heater cores, hoses, etc. What's left in the radiator is kind of trivial.
The only reason getting it "all" is important is if there's debris or other contamination in there. Glycol doesn't really loose the antifreeze or cooling properties, but the anti-corrosive mix does fade over time.
The only reason getting it "all" is important is if there's debris or other contamination in there. Glycol doesn't really loose the antifreeze or cooling properties, but the anti-corrosive mix does fade over time.
With my K5 it has a engine block heater rather then the block plug. I just pulled the heater plug and more coolant was removed. Depris get down into the bottom of the block.
On the 01 Silverado I have yet to pull the engine block plugs.
On the 01 Silverado I have yet to pull the engine block plugs.
