Coolant Replacement/Flush

Has anyone done a coolant flush on a Grand Am? My wife's 03 GT has 107,000 miles on it and I am thinking now is the time to do it before winter arrives. I didn't know if there was a way to do it and if there any coolant drain plugs in the block.

Most auto parts stores carry a flush 'n fill kit. Comes with a flush tee, clamps, etc. Your vehicle requires Dexcool coolant, use it! Dexcool cooling systems should be flushed every 3 years or 36,000 miles to avoid trouble. GM says 5 years or 100,000 miles, that's fine if you want ongoing problems with the cooling system. The flush 'n fill kit has directions on the package. Simple job, takes about an hour for the average DIYer.

you can try at Walmart they have what you need very for very cheap. Here is my suggestion it is up to you. Buy one quarter of a gallon of machine dishwasher liquid. Remove the same amount of coolant from your plastic overflow tank. Pour all of it in the plastic tank and drive it around for a day or two. Then install your kit and use hot water to flush everything out. Hot water will remove all the bad stuff you will be surprised what you will see coming out. Hot water will also open your thermostat so everything will be flushed out from the engine block. Once you see clean water coming out stop. Drain you radiator, drain your overflow tank. Some of the water will be left in the engine block so use 100% green antifreeze (it is better) to fill up the radiator and plastic overflow tank when engine is cold to the appropriate mark. I converted my personal vehicle to green and was supposed to use dexcool. If you still think dexcool is better then read the link below.....


http://www.topclassactions.com/close/14-gm-dexcool-engine-coolant

If you understand what OAT and HOAT are, and what it does, you know that introducing ethelene glycol, (any amount) into a Dexcool system is a costly mistake. It's the gift that keeps on taking and taking.... from your wallet.

http://www.ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/repair-topics/cooling-system-service/water-pump-analysis%E2%80%94what-happens-when-you-use-the-wrong-coolant

You might as well drain the radiator and replace all your hoses while your at it. Hoses wear from the inside out so even if they look good, replace them. Buy a bottle of radiator cleaner from your local autoparts store and follow the directions. I would stick with Dexcool. Buying the 50/50 premixed is the easy way to go. My only question is, what do you do with the old coolant?

You might as well drain the radiator and replace all your hoses while your at it. Hoses wear from the inside out so even if they look good, replace them. Buy a bottle of radiator cleaner from your local autoparts store and follow the directions. I would stick with Dexcool. Buying the 50/50 premixed is the easy way to go. My only question is, what do you do with the old coolant?


usually local auto parts store will recycle your old coolant