Cooling System Air Venting

[BDK]

Question for the group: Do any of you know if there is a need to vent air from the cooling system on the 5.3 as you refill with antifreeze? (After a change-out) I assume it will just bubble up into the plastic bottle as you fill, but wanted to be sure. Some engines have vent plugs at a high point.

 

This "radiator without a cap" is new to me.

[toddgotfish]

i just flushed my system last night

as i filled the resevoir i let the truck idle

i would periodically tighten the cap then take it off

and refill as needed

it took a while to finish it

i went ahead and put extra in and drove today

i figure i can just take whatever i need to out

hope it helps

Todd

[AZ-Z71]

Here is the exact procedure from the GM book.

 

Draining and Filling Cooling System

 

Caution

With a pressurized cooling system, the coolant temperature in the radiator can be considerably higher than the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure. Removal of the surge tank cap, while the cooling system is hot and under high pressure, causes the solution to boil instantaneously with explosive force. This will cause the solution to spew out over the engine, the fenders, and the person removing the cap. Serious bodily injury may result.

 

 

 

Notice

When adding coolant, use DEX-COOL® coolant. If silicated coolant is added to the system, premature engine, heater core or radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the engine coolant will require change sooner-at 50 000 km (30,000 mi) or 24 months.

 

 

The following notice applies to the 4.8L, 5.3L, and the 6.0L engines only.

 

 

Notice

DO NOT use cooling system seal tabs, or similar compounds, unless otherwise instructed. The use of cooling system seal tabs, or similar compounds, may restrict coolant flow through the passages of the cooling system or the engine components. Restricted coolant flow may cause engine overheating and/or damage to the cooling system or the engine components/assembly.

 

 

Drain and Fill Procedure

 

Important

If you do not follow the procedure below, a low or high coolant level condition and/or vehicle damage could result.

 

 

Park the vehicle on a level surface.

Follow the steps below in order to remove the radiator surge tank fill cap:

Slowly rotate the cap counterclockwise.

Stop rotating and allow the hissing to stop.

After all hissing stops, continue turning counterclockwise in order to remove the cap.

Remove the drain hose from the left side of the radiator tank and repositon the hose to a catch pan.

Open the radiator drain cock.

Allow the system to drain completely.

Inspect the engine coolant:

Discolored -- follow the flush procedure below.

Normal in appearance -- Continue with the next step.

Close the radiator drain cock.

 

Important

When filling the cooling system use a 50 to 60 percent concentration with DEX-COOL® coolant.

 

 

Fill the system through the radiator surge tank opening.

Pre-mix a 50 to 60 percent solution of DEX-COOL® and clean, drinkable water.

Slowly add the pre-mixed solution to the system until the level is slighlty above the surge tank split line.

Start the engine.

Idle the engine for 1 minute.

Loosely install the surge tank cap. Do not allow the system to build pressure.

Cycle the engine from idle to 3000 RPM in 30 seconds intervals until the engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F) and the thermostat opens.

Shut off the engine.

Refer to step 3 in order to remove the radiator surge tank cap.

Start the engine.

Idle the engine for 1 minute. Fill the surge tank to ½ inch above the COLD FULL mark on the radiator surge tank.

Install the radiator surge tank cap.

Cycle the RPM. Idle the engine to 3000 in 30 second intervals until the engine coolant reaches 99°C (210°F).

Shut off the engine.

Top off the coolant, as necessary, to ½ inch above FULL COLD mark on the radiator surge tank.

Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the compartment.

Inspect the concentration of the coolant.