Lately I’ve been having trouble with the check engine light going at slow speed for extended periods of time. I feel this is because the car is overheating so I check the coolant level and find it’s not anywhere near the "cold" level. So I figure it’s time to fix this. The car is 17 years old with 72K Mi on it and probably hasn’t had it changed ever (same with the transmission fluid).
I’ve read the bottle on the (pre-mixed, 50/50) anti-freeze I purchased. It says (roughly) drain the current coolant, load with water, run the car with the heater at maximum power for 10 minutes, turn off, drain water, load new anti-freeze. Is this accurate? Should I use straight tap, filtered or distiled water? Typicaly how well labled is the coolant plug? Thanks.
1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cialas (sic).
I have no idea if the car has a "bleeder screw".
As for a flushing detergent, is that really nessisary? How much would that cost me?
Also, changing the thermostat is beyond my skill and comfort level of working on cars. (I can change oil, top fluids, change brake pads/shoes and work with car audio)
Also, this is a minor problem. The car more than likely has a thermostat, but there is no gague on the dash showing temperature. Where/when do I know it’s at normal temperature?
Does the color of anti-freeze really matter?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello what you need to do is get the hose out and put the one end in the top radiator and open the drain plug (should be bottom left (depending on the car) open it all the way run the car with the water running once the car reaches normal operating temp ( and for the thermostat to open) and you should see a clear flow of water then you can cut the car off and let the water run out that way you know your motor is cleaned out of anti freeze. then make sure you re-tighten your drain plug and put the proper antifreeze into your car. check with parts people (some cars call for green, orange etc..) the plug is sometimes a butterfly or a screw look for your radiator@ http://www.radiators.com/ and you shoud see what the plug looks like and where it’s located… good luck
What kind of car?
You can usually either find a cap on the radiator – or on a lot of newer cars, you add fluid directly to the overflow (where you see the ‘cold and hot’ levels).
If it is a chrysler – like an LHS or Intrepid, you will have to bleed the cooling system when you get it filled back up – after refilling it, drive the car until it gets warm, and you will see a little bleeder screw at the top of the engine – loosen it, and steam will come out, wait until fluid starts coming out solid – and then tighten it back again. (There might be other cars that require this too – it’s very stupid…)
Find the drain – usually at the bottom of the radiator (make sure the car is cool when you do this. Drain the coolant out, and then close the drain – get some radiator flush and mix it with water as indicated on the directions, run the motor, then drain it.
Fill up with 50/50 coolant and water – either premix or make your own.
You should probably change your thermostat (location depends on car) since it is probably pretty funky by now.
Go to the parts store and buy a flush kit and a bottle of flush and follow the instructions.