radiator flush
lilwalk
07-28-2009, 05:17 PM
Can anyone run me through step by step on how to flush the radiator in a 2004 grand prix GT 3.8L?
cadman20
07-29-2009, 06:31 PM
I just just used a Prestone Flush N Fill Kit to flush my Mothers 02 Impala, worked great. I got the kit for less than $4.00 at Wal-mart. See link for generic one size fits all instructions.
http://www.prestone.com/products/print.php?fam=12&num=2&name=Prestone+R+Flush+N+Fill+Kit®TM=1
http://www.prestone.com/products/print.php?fam=12&num=2&name=Prestone+R+Flush+N+Fill+Kit®TM=1
BNaylor
07-30-2009, 06:55 AM
Checkout our Tips & Maintenance forum. We have a general flushing procedure applicable to all '97 and up Grand Prixs. This one uses the Prestone flush kit. See link.
Click here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=935938)
Click here (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=935938)
eriespider
07-30-2009, 10:50 AM
Excellent link and proceedure. I should have searched better before I flushed my 2001 Grand Prix 3.8!
I just horsed ahead and broke the little pins on the drain valve. On my 2001 I also noted an allen wrench head deeper in the plastic plug in case you strip the square head.
Also after I completed the flush my low coolant level light kept coming on, so I checked the overfill tank and kept adding 50/50 mix. It took quite a bit over a couple of days. I suspect all the air in the system.
OK now everything is full and low coolant level light still on. This scensor is square and right below the cap on passenger side. I had to take out the battery to get good access to it. I took it out and noticed it was kind of dirty with some flakes of radiator scaling on it. I cleaned it good with air and replaced it. Fantastic! Light is off!
If light did not go off, I was not going to replace it because it cost $43 at Autozone and light will go out if scensor is just unplugged. I can't rationalize speding bucks on just a level indicator when you have a temp guage. Plus the car is old with a lot of miles!
I just horsed ahead and broke the little pins on the drain valve. On my 2001 I also noted an allen wrench head deeper in the plastic plug in case you strip the square head.
Also after I completed the flush my low coolant level light kept coming on, so I checked the overfill tank and kept adding 50/50 mix. It took quite a bit over a couple of days. I suspect all the air in the system.
OK now everything is full and low coolant level light still on. This scensor is square and right below the cap on passenger side. I had to take out the battery to get good access to it. I took it out and noticed it was kind of dirty with some flakes of radiator scaling on it. I cleaned it good with air and replaced it. Fantastic! Light is off!
If light did not go off, I was not going to replace it because it cost $43 at Autozone and light will go out if scensor is just unplugged. I can't rationalize speding bucks on just a level indicator when you have a temp guage. Plus the car is old with a lot of miles!
tblake
07-30-2009, 08:37 PM
Yeah, a lot of us have this issue right avter changing out coolant over from GM brand Dex Cool to prestone brand Dex Cool. My light is on and off at times too. My radiator stays full, and there is not air in the system. It has been doing this ever since I replaced my LIM gaskets and switched over from GM dex cool to prestone dex cool.
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2026