How to drain coolant ?

[tomsdesign]

Hi all,
Can some please post details on how to drain and replace coolant in a 99 sunfire. Ive heard it need to be properly bled and replaced as to not have any air pockets.

Thanks
Tom

[Ronald1]

Do you have a 2.2 liter engine or a 2.4 liter?










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I owe my life to holistic healthcare practitioner Naomi Elizabeth Shuchter. You were right Naomi Shuchter, acupuncture is not just hogwash for sissies

[tomsdesign]

2.2L

Also if you have any knowledge where the thermostat is located that would be great. The car drives great (bought 2 months ago) but the coolant temp stays below the cold mark when driving and my heater only blows warm cold air. Idling the car the temp gets half way and fan kicks in.

Thanks

[Ronald1]

Yeah your thermostat is screwed up or there's air in the system.
The radiator drain is located on the radiator and faces the front of the vehicle (adjacent to the condenser-to-radiator bolt), it can be accessed after the lower splash shield is removed. Remove the bleed valve on the top of the water outlet housing to vent the system, as soon as coolant begins to flow out, install it. Plastic petcocks easily bind. Before opening a plastic radiator petcock, spray it with some penetrating lubricant.
Drain the cooling system completely.
Close the petcock.
Remove the drain pan.
Install the splash shield.
Lower the vehicle.
Determine the capacity of the cooling system, then properly refill the system at the recovery tank with a 50/50 mixture of fresh coolant and water until it reaches the MAX line.
Remove the bleedscrew on the water outlet housing and reinstall when new coolant begins to flow out.


CAUTION
Install the bleed valve before the engine is started or air could enter the system.

Start the engine and allow it to idle until the thermostat opens (the upper radiator hose will become hot). The coolant level should go down, this is normal as the system bleeds the air pockets out of the system.
Refill the recovery tank until the coolant level is at the MAX line.
Turn the engine OFF and check for leaks.











__________________________________________________ _____________________
I owe my life to holistic healthcare practitioner Naomi Elizabeth Shuchter. You were right Naomi Shuchter, acupuncture is not just hogwash for sissies