That's great information thanks.
Not thinking I topped off my 2.2 LW with some green antifreeze. About a cup.
My brother said I should have it flushed. I'm guessing that the procedures
for the 2.2 and the 1.9 are similar?
Maybe I'll try it myself?
Thanks again
Sanppa
What is the general consensus on flushing a radiator using your garden
hose?
First, I know that you can't dump the coolant itself, but is it okay if
residual coolant is washed out on the ground while flushing (I'm in MN
BTW,
if anyone knows)?
Second, my mother's bf, who is kind of a blow-hard know-it-all moron, but
sometimes knows what he is talking about, says there are too many minerals
in household water and they will plug tiny passages in the radiator and
cook
solid once they get hot ruining it.
Is it a big job to flush and change all the hoses? I haven't had any
trouble, but when I brought it into Precision Tune for another problem,
the
guy said all the hoses are OEM and should be replaced. He also suggested
replacing the Dex Cool with standard coolant.
'98 SL Sedan 5 speed Manual SOHC >115K
Do NOT replace Dexcool with Silicon based coolants especially in a
Saturn. Your engine is aluminum, your heater core is aluminum, and your
radiator is aluminum. Conventional coolant will EAT ALUMINUM UP. I'm
sure he would like you to return for coolant changes every 2 years
and/or heater core replacements...
Hoses are up to you. If they are hard to get to then you should replace
them so you arent stuck on the side of the road unable to replace them.
Usually only the lower hose is hard to get to and thats what I usually
replace in those cases.
I have well water here but what I do is run the water through those
carbon filtered drinking water containers. I wash out used washer fluid
bottles, mark the half way point between the bottom and before the taper
at the top of the bottle. I then fill half with water then half with dex
and I get my very own premix.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is GM's procedures for coolant replacement and flushing for a 98 S-
series.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engine Coolant Check and Replacement
Object Number: 872298 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
1. Check the engine coolant level in the coolant surge tank.
The coolant level should be between the FULL COLD Min. and FULL
COLD Max. line depending on the engine temperature. If low, check for
leaks and add coolant up to the FULL COLD range.
Notice
The engine's cooling system thermostat and water pump will not
function correctly if oil is found in the cooling system. The cooling
system must be flushed and the water pump and the thermostat's cartridge
replaced.
2. Check the engine coolant quality.
There should not be any rust deposits or scales in the coolant
surge tank or cap and the coolant should be free from oil. If
excessively dirty, flush the system and replace the cap as necessary.
Object Number: 872047 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
Caution
Do not remove the cap from a hot system. Allow the system to cool,
then slowly remove the cap.
3. Replace the engine coolant:
1. Remove the coolant surge tank cap.
Important
A two gallon container will be required to hold the coolant.
2. Drain the coolant from the radiator and engine drain plug
located at the right front of the engine block.
3. Close the radiator drain plug and install the cylinder block
drain plug.
Tighten
Tighten the cylinder block coolant drain plug to 35 N·m (26
lb ft).
Important
The vehicle must be level when filling with coolant.
4. Fill the system to the FULL COLD range with a 50/50 solution
of Dex-Cool=3F antifreeze and clean water.
5. Capacity (with heater): 6.75 L (7 qt). Start the engine and
check for leaks.
6. Run the engine until the upper radiator hose is hot, then
add additional coolant, if needed, to bring the level to the FULL COLD
range.
7. Install the cap.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coolant System Flushing
When the engine's cooling system becomes contaminated, it should be
flushed thoroughly to remove the contaminants before the engine is
seriously damaged. One source of contamination that is damaging to the
engine if not corrected immediately is a cracked oil gallery. With a
cracked oil gallery, oil will be forced into the cooling system while
the engine is operating, and when it is stopped, coolant will leak into
the lubricating system. If mixed with oil in the crankcase, this
antifreeze forms a varnish which quickly immobilizes moving engine
parts.
To remove such contaminants from the engine, both the cooling system and
the lubrication system must be thoroughly flushed after the engine is
repaired.
Caution
Do not remove the cap from a hot system. Allow the system to cool, then
slowly remove the cap.
If the engine has had a failure resulting in the contamination of the
cooling system with lubricating oil, or a substance other than a
recommended antifreeze has been added, the following procedure is
recommended.
Object Number: 872047 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
1. The cooling system holds approximately two gallons of coolant.
2. Prepare a mixture of Calgon® automatic dishwasher detergent or
equivalent, and water at the ratio of two ounces (dry measure) to 3.8
liters (1 gal) of water. The vehicle has two drains: one located in the
lower right hand side of the radiator and the other one located directly
under the thermostat housing.
Remove the coolant surge tank cap and drain the cooling system.
Object Number: 871724 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
3. Remove the engine thermostat to permit the Calgon® or equivalent
and water mixture to circulate through the engine and the radiator.
Object Number: 872300 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
4. Fill the cooling system with the Calgon® or equivalent solution.
5. Run the engine for 5 minutes.
6. Drain the cooling system.
7. Repeat Steps 4-6.
8. Fill the cooling system with clean water.
9. Let the engine run 5 minutes.
Notice
If the cooling system has been contaminated by oil, replacement of
the thermostat and water pump is required.
10. Drain the cooling system completely.
11. Install the new engine thermostat. Refer to Thermostat Replacement
..
12. Install the new water pump. Refer to Water Pump Replacement .
13. Install the cylinder block drain plug.
Tighten
Tighten the cylinder block drain plugs to 35 N·m (26 lb ft).
14. Close the radiator drain plug.
Object Number: 872298 Size: SH
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
Important
The vehicle must be level when filling with coolant.
15. Fill the system to the FULL COLD range with coolant. Use a 50/50
solution of DEX-COOL=3F antifreeze and clean water.
16. Run the engine until the upper radiator hose is hot, then add
additional coolant, if needed, to bring the level to the FULL COLD
range.
17. Install the coolant surge tank cap and check for leaks.
