Cooling System Draining and Filling (GE 47716)

Special Tools

  • J-26568 Coolant and Battery Fluid Tester
  • J-42401 Radiator Cap and Surge Tank Test Adapter
  • GE-47716 Vac N Fill Coolant Refill Tool

Equivalent regional tools:Special Tools

Draining Procedure

Warning: 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.

  1. Remove the radiator surge tank cap.
  2. Raise and support the vehicle.

    3. Object ID: 3996202
  3. Remove the lower deflector panel insert (1) on the passenger side to gain access to drain cock.
  4. Install suitable length of hose to radiator drain nipple, and route hose through opening to allow free drain of coolant.
  5. Place a drain pan under the drain cock.
  6. Loosen, but do not remove, drain cock until coolant begins to drain from the hose.
  7. When cooling system is completely drained, tighten the drain cock by hand.
  8. Remove hose segment.

    9. Object ID: 3996202
  9. Install lower deflector panel insert (1).
  10. Lower the vehicle.
  11. Inspect the coolant.
  12. Follow the appropriate procedure based on the condition of the coolant.
    • Normal in appearance—Follow the filling procedure.
    • Discolored—Follow the flush procedure. Flushing.

Vac-N-Fill Procedure

  1. Install the J-42401 Radiator Cap and Surge Tank Test Adapter onto the coolant surge tank.

    2. Object ID: 2846164

    Warning: To avoid being burned, do not remove the radiator cap or surge tank cap while the engine is hot. The cooling system will release scalding fluid and steam under pressure if radiator cap or surge tank cap is removed while the engine and radiator are still hot.

  2. Attach the Vac N Fill cap to the J-42401 Radiator Cap and Surge Tank Test Adapter (1).

    3. Object ID: 2846165
  3. Attach the vacuum gauge assembly (1) to the Vac N Fill cap (2).

    4. Object ID: 2846166
  4. Attach the fill hose (1) to the barb fitting on the vacuum gauge assembly (2).

    5. Ensure that the valve is closed.


    Object ID: 2846170

    Note: Use a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL antifreeze and clean, drinkable water.

    Always use more coolant than necessary. This will eliminate air from being drawn into the cooling system.

  5. Prepare a coolant mixture in the graduated reservoir (1) slightly greater than the cooling system capacity.
  6. Place the fill hose in the graduated reservoir (1).

    7. Note: Prior to installing the vacuum tank onto the graduated reservoir, ensure that the drain valve located on the bottom of the tank is closed.

  7. Install the vacuum tank (2) on the graduated reservoir with the fill hose routed through the cut-out area (3) in the vacuum tank.

    8. Object ID: 2846171
  8. Attach the venturi assembly (1) to the vacuum tank (2).

    9. Object ID: 2846172
  9. Attach a shop air hose to the venturi assembly (1).

    10. Ensure the valve (2) on the venturi assembly is closed.


    Object ID: 2846173
  10. Attach the vacuum hose (1) to the vacuum gauge assembly (2) and the vacuum tank (3).

    11. Object ID: 2846175
  11. Open the valve (1) on the venturi assembly (2). The vacuum gauge will begin to rise and a hissing noise will be present.

    12. Object ID: 2846177
  12. Continue to draw vacuum until the needle stops rising (1). This should be 610-660 mm Hg (24-26 in Hg).

    13. Cooling hoses may start to collapse. This is normal due to vacuum draw.

  13. To aid in the fill process, position the graduated reservoir above the coolant fill port.

    14. Object ID: 2846183
  14. Slowly open the valve (1) on the vacuum gauge assembly (2). When the coolant reaches the top of the fill hose, close the valve. This will eliminate air from the fill hose.
  15. Close the valve on the venturi assembly.
  16. If there is a suspected leak in the cooling system, allow the system to stabilize under vacuum and monitor for vacuum loss.

    If vacuum loss is observed, refer to Loss of Coolant.

  17. Open the valve on the vacuum gauge assembly. The vacuum gauge will drop as coolant is drawn into the system.

    18. Object ID: 3242386
  18. Once the vacuum gauge reaches zero (1), close the valve on the vacuum gauge assembly and repeat steps 11 - 17.
  19. Detach the Vac N Fill cap from the J-42401 Radiator Cap and Surge Tank Test Adapter.
  20. Remove the J-42401 Radiator Cap and Surge Tank Test Adapter from the coolant surge tank.
  21. Adjust the cooling system to the proper level. Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers
  22. Inspect the concentration of the coolant mixture using J-26568 Coolant and Battery Fluid Tester.
  23. If the cooling system level is over the maximum level allowed within the coolant surge tank, perform steps 25 - 28 until the correct level is achieved.

    24. Note: After filling the cooling system, the extraction hose can be used to remove excess coolant to achieve the proper coolant level.

  24. Detach the vacuum hose from the vacuum gauge assembly.

    25. Object ID: 2857825
  25. Attach the extraction hose (1) to the vacuum hose (2).

    26. Object ID: 2857827
  26. Open the valve (1) on the venturi assembly (2) to start a vacuum draw.

    27. Object ID: 2857829
  27. Use the extraction hose (1) to draw out coolant to the proper level.
  28. The vacuum tank has a drain valve on the bottom of the tank.Open the valve to drain coolant from the vacuum tank into a suitable container for disposal.
  29. Install the radiator surge tank cap.