Coolant bleeders on the 3.5

[kmohr3]

I'm getting a little paranoid after reading posts about the Dexcool and the 3.5L engine. So, I'm going to change and flush the coolant in the near future.

Does anyone know specifically where, and how many, coolant air bleeders there are?

Also, does anyone know where the engine coolant drain plug is? There's a half-assed picture of it on p 6-370 in the Helm manual. It appears to be near the crankshaft position sensor, I guess. Has anyone here done a complete flush yet?

[kmohr3]

Hey Panzer, maybe you can help. Does All-data have anything on the location of the coolant bleeders or the location of the engine coolant drain?? I know there's one on the radiator, but I want to drain the engine totally too.

[panzer dragoon]

Originally Posted by kmohr3

Hey Panzer, maybe you can help. Does All-data have anything on the location of the coolant bleeders or the location of the engine coolant drain?? I know there's one on the radiator, but I want to drain the engine totally too.

yeah they got the process written down. The engine block drain plug has a diagram of the location. The radiator has an air bleed valve that is opened to bleed air then closed when coolant starts to go out. Post your email address and i'll send you a gif of the engine block drain plug. They made no mention of a coolant air bleed on the engine itself.

They say you need to remove the right tire to get to the engine block drain plug.

[kmohr3]

thanks!

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[kmohr3]

Panzer, I'm not sure what is going on with your post. Every time I read it, a different picture is displayed -

[panzer dragoon]

this picture is for the engine drain valve. Needed to drain all the fluid out of the engine, but it's very low on the engine so the right front tire may need to come off to access it. (may not want to mess with it) Later edit: I jacked up my car and there is a plastic panel that is sort of in the way. The valve is 3/16 hex (or similiar metric) key type.

The bleed valve in on the radiator. Left side facing the car. Right above the tranny cooler line. A plastic thumb screw. Easy to access. No bleed valves on the engine.

[busboy4]

Hey Panzer,
regarding:

>>>I'm getting a little paranoid after reading posts about the Dexcool and the 3.5L engine. So, I'm going to change and flush the coolant in the near future.<<<


Sorry to be ignorant, but could you give me the bullet points on your "paranoia?" I have a '99 3.5 and will happily follow suit.

Thanks

[panzer dragoon]

DexCool does a great job (long lasting 5 yrs+?) but sometimes starts to get bad (acidic/clumpy) after 3-5-7 yrs and starts to eat things or clog cooling passages. I live in a colder climate than most, so my dexcool probably lasts longer than someone in Texas.

http://maintenance.autoblog.com/2006...action-status/
Notice: DexCool degrades quickly in Oxygen/Air.

The 3.5L is aluminum and will degrade quicker in an acidic environment compared to a cast iron 3.8L.

"DexCool" has been reformulated over the last 2-3 years. There are now universal type coolants that are "dexcool approved" that last as long (5+yrs) without the possible DexCool problems.

Bottom line: change your coolant about every 3-5 years minimum with these new long lasting coolants. If you pop the radiator cap and see that your coolant is crappy change it out as soon as possible. I look at my coolant maybe twice a year and especially before winter for freeze protection (must float all the balls for WI winters ~-40 deg F).

[busboy4]

Hey Panzer

Thanks I'll put the flush on the list. I have had to do virtually nothing other than routine mx on my car since I bought it 3 years ago. It has been stellar.

[panzer dragoon]

besides the crankshaft position sensor, cam position sensor, and wipers fail to retract, my car has been a performer also.

The wipers stuck in the upright position when off was the hardest to diagnose and my patient Oldsmobile forum angel helped me get that one.

Make sure you keep that coolant reservoir filled with coolant = it will suck some from that also. Almost a fool-proof self-bleed system (one air bleeder on the radiator). Air is the enemy (especially to Dex-Cool).