Chevrolet Cavalier COOLING SYSTEM?

Question

I want to apply a PRESTONE RADIATOR FLUSH in the cooling system of my cavalier, I´ve done the procedure in my moms tercel 91 and everthing went nice, but in the GM CAVALIER cooling system I think is a diferent procedure or do you recomend me to do it ? do you think I should use another brand? can I do it simply with water? where is the drain of the radiator in the GM CARS,?

Answer 1

A lot of them don't have a radiator drain. You have to pull off the bottom hose.

The best flushes are two part: a strong acid and a neutralizer. The one part flushes aren't as strong.

The strong flushes get rid of more scale and deposits, but you run the risk of 'eating through" the extremely thin and cheap radiators and heater cores they have today.

Prestone and others make a "backflush adapter" which fits in a heater hose and accepts a garden hose.

No matter how you do it:

I'd replace both the top and bottom hoses, heater and bypass hoses, and possibly the thermostat.

When you remove the bottom hose almost all the coolant will drain out of the system.

You really shouldn't just dump this coolant: be a little "green" and at least pour it down a drain so the wastewater treatment plant can deal with it before it gets in the groundwater!.

The best is to go to your regular mechanic and let him put it in his coolant recycling tank. Mechanics are required by law to have one.

Fill the system with water.
If you decide to use flush, add it at this time. Start the engine and let it warm up. It might be necessary to hold your hand over the radioator filler while squeezing the top hose: the thermostat will be closed and may keep the water from circulating. If no water touches the thermostat, it WILL NOT OPEN AND OVER HEAT YOUR VEHICLE!!!

I always drill an 1/16 inch hole in the flange of a thermostat to keep it from "air locking" like that: the better thermostats already have a bypass hole for this purpose.

Once it is warm, follow the can directions regarding the flush, if you use it. If you aren't using flush, skip these next few steps.

If it's a 2 part flush, remove the bottom hose or open the radiator draincock if it has one. (the draincock will usually be on the opposite side from the bottom hose inlet on the rad.)

After it drains, replace the bottom hose and refill the system as outlined above. After it has been refilled, remove the top hose. Get a piece of pipe that fits either over or inside the top hose: this will make this step a lot neater.

Put a hose in the radiator filler and turn it on. Run the engine. Fresh water is being added by you via the radiator, the water in the engine is being pumped out of the top hose. Run water through it until the water exiting the top hose runs clear.

Re-attach the top hose and add the neutralizer, if a 2 part flush. Drain and repeat both of the above steps to remove the neutralizer from the system.
If a one part flush, as soon as the water runs clear you are ready for coolant. Drain the system as outlined above.

Reattach all hoses, put in the antifreeze first. Complete the fill with water.

One note: you might consider using distilled water: it's cheap and at any grocery store. City water has all sorts of additives that can cause deposits in the cooling system. Not 100% necessary, but a good idea!

Answer 2

Your Cavalier has an aluminum/plastic radiator with a rubber seal between the metal and plastic. In addition there is also other metal in your cooling system that doesn't much like harsh chemicals.
I wouldn't use the flush unless there is a SUBSTANTIAL load of contaminates in the cooling system.
in addition, I have seen the results of the use of PRESTONE flush when it wasn't used properly, and have had to replace ALL or the customer's freeze plugs.
The harsh chemical action doesn't stop when you drain it out. ALL of it has to be removed or neutralized, and it becomes a rather cumbersome chore that many people will bypass because it "looks" clean and chemical free.
If it is just maintenance you are doing, just drain the coolant from the car, and replace it with 50%/50% coolant/water.
That is probably ALL you need.
One other thing, If there is a weak spot in the cooling system, OR if there has been a leak repaired with stop-leak, this "flush" will do you a great deal of a dis-service.

Answer 3

you can use the prestone radiator flush just be sure to use antifreze mixed 50 50 with water if not on these cars it will make your colling system run hotter before kicking the electric fan on

Answer 4

no do not do it your self i used 2 work at mr lube firstoff it all depends what year also if u get it mixed for instance green with onange dextron and longlife well u be playing with jello for real we mixe them well send out the jello moldes

Answer 5

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