1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
Funny you should ask; I just flushed the cooling system in my '00 Aero last weekend. Here's what I found:
I used a big, yellow drain pan from Pep Boys (looks like the black oil drain pan/jugs with the top cut off) to catch the coolant. The Aero was up on ramps, pointed down a gently sloping driveway, so the car, when raised, was roughly level.
I used the drain cock to empty the radiator every time. I found that it's easy to open/close, and has a positive 'snap' when closed so you know you've got it. Reaching straight down the radiator at the top hose (driver's side) puts the drain cock at hand when my arm was a little more that elbow deep.
I removed two screws from the plastic plate below the radiators, just behind the bumper, and found it all drained in a orderly fashion into the wide mouth opening of the yellow pan. No big deal.
So, out with the old blue/green coolant, in with clean water. I ran the car for 10 minutes, then out with that flush load. Filled her back up with fresh water and Prestone flush, and another 10 min of run time.
OK, now out with that flush, and it's running clear. I then tackled the thermostat. This was no problem on my old 900, but not so easy on the 9-5. I found it behind the engine, under the fuel rail, half hidden by the brake fluid tank. Tough spot. Just follow the upper radiator hose past the battery. Careful use of you 1/4" drive 13mm and 10mm sockets will get it. In with a fresh Wahler 88 degree 'stat.
Now it time to put in the finish fill. I used Pentosin red, a 'lifetime' coolant, from eEuroParts.com. Two bottles, 3 liters, was fine for a Dallas fill (little to no freezing), but for folks up north, I'd suggest three. That, half a bottle of Red Line Water Wetter and enough distilled H2O to complete the job.
posted by 12.239.110...
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