Cooling System Service

1
Cooling System Service

• Cooling systems should be inspected and serviced
  every year to prevent overheating or overcooling
  of the engine.

2
Coolant Service

• The coolant should be tested for freeze point
  protection with an antifreeze tester.
• The coolant should be bright green or pink in
  color and should not be murky.
• On most cars the coolant should be replaced
  every 2 years.
• Tech Tip Some cars use DexCool coolant and
  this type only needs to be replaced every 5 years.

3
Replacing Coolant

• 1. Wait until the engine is cool.
• 2. Remove the radiator cap.
• 3. Loosen the radiator drain plug (if equipped)
  or remove one end of the lower radiator hose.
• 4. Refill the radiator with a mixture of clean
  water and new antifreeze at 50 each.
• 5. Start the engine and keep the radiator cap off
  until the engine is completely warmed up (at
  least 10 minutes).
• 6. During this time keep the radiator full.
• 7. Reinstall the radiator cap align any
  markings with the overflow tube.
• 8. Fill the expansion bottle to the appropriate
  level as well.

4
Radiator Inspection

• Check the radiator core for bent, loose or
  missing fins or debris such as leaves blocking
  air flow.
• Check the core and tanks for signs of leakage.

5
Drive Belts

• Check the belt(s) for cracks, glazing, tears etc.
• Check the belt tension
• (should be 13mm or ½)

6
Hose Inspection

• Upper lower radiator hoses and the 2 heater
  hoses should be inspected.
• Look for swelling (bulges), cracks, leaks etc.
• Feel the hoses. They shouldnt be hard or
  mushy.

7
Locating Coolant Leaks

• Using a cooling system pressure tester
• Make sure the engine is cold
• (top radiator hose should be cool to the
  touch)
• Remove the radiator cap and connect the pressure
  tester

8
Locating Coolant Leaks

• Pump up the tester so the gauge reads the same
  pressure as the pressure listed on the radiator
  cap (usually 15 lbs.)

9
Where Could it be Leaking From?

• Listen look for coolant leaks at
• radiator
• radiator hoses
• heater hoses
• water pump
• thermostat
• Tech Tip If the carpeting in the foot well is
  wet or the windows are fogging up excessively
  there is a sweet smell inside the car, the heater
  core is leaking!

10
Troubleshooting Overheating

• 1. Verify there are no coolant leaks.
• 2. Does the engine only overheat when you are
  stopped in traffic? If so, the fan is probably
  not working.
• 3. Replace the thermostat.
• 4. Check for plugged tubes in the radiator by
  running your hand over the radiator core (use
  caution around the fan). If there are cold
  spots, then that part of the radiator is plugged.