What is the best way to change engine coolant in a 2001 Yukon?

Question

I want to be able to get all the old stuff out of the engine. Also should I replace with the Dexcool, or use the yellow/green Prestone type fluid?

Answer 1

take it to the GMC dealer...they shouldknow

Answer 2

We used to just take a garden hose and shove it into the hot side of the heater hose and turn it on to completely backflush the coolant system which worked very well. However, since that crap drained into the sewer it is not enviromentally sound. Now to perform this type of backflush you will have to drain the coolant out to a capture pan and do the same flush which we also capture and recycle. Once all the orange stuff is cleared out, continue to flush with fresh water and let that drain to sewer until you are happy all is coming out is clean water. Now drain water out as much as you can as you want to fill with around 8 liters of coolant. I think you should install a Dexcool coolant but if all the Dexcool has been removed you can use a regular AF. The thing with the factory stuff though is it lasts longer. Good luck.

Answer 3

Take it to a quick lube place. A lot of the time they can do it. You can do it yourself but it creates a mess . All of the coolant has to be recovered otherwise it poses a poison hazard and an environmental hazard. If you flush it down the storm drain you will really mess up the water treatment plants in your area. 1 gallon of antifreeze can contaminate 15,000 gallons of water. And yes, you need to use Dexcool, otherwise you can damage your radiator core and/or your heater core and void any warranty you may have left. I have a 2003 and I had to have my radiator replaced from an accident. The radiator alone is $650.00.

Answer 4

Unless you have a suitable warm place to work with a drain in the center AF the floor this is not the time to do it. If you do want to tackle it lift your Chevy on jack stands put a large pan 4 gal. minimum with a width of 24 - 30 inches remove the radiator cap and drain the radiator. While it's draining remove the coolant recovery tank and drain it in your catch can. Scrub the tank with whisk and water with a long handled bristle brush (found in kitchen cleaning section of stores). Check carefully for hex fittings or hex drain plugs located on the engine block. If they're there pull them out (usually one per side) let them drain also. At auto parts stores pick a Prestone coolant drain kit. Find the heater core hose that goes to the water pump. In a convent location (for you) cut this hose in half, install the flushing T from your kit and tighten the worm drive clamps. This is where things get wet and messy. Prestone gives you a yellow spout that fits in your radiator cap opening, it takes some force but try to insert it. You most likely should get a length of clear plastic hose to lead from that spout to the floor. Hook a garden hose to the installed male T. Have at least 3 - 4 plastic 5 - 6 gallon plastic pails positioned at the plastic hose to catch any diluted antifreeze which will flow out. Ask a helper to turn on the water and to turn on your truck's engine. This helps to purge all antifreeze out of the cooling system. You must be prepaired to let the water flow long enough till you see CLEAR water discharging from the plastic hose. Whe the water is clear turn the garden hose off and turn your ignition off. Now its time to drain your cooling syatem of water by opening the drain valve at the bottom of the radiater. If you want to do a great job pull off the lower radiator hose and let it drain also. Install the clean coolant recovery tank and re-install the small hose to the radiator cap housing. Now we are going to get creative. Look in your gloove box and find your cooling system capacity. I'm sure it calls for Dexcool. Look at the capacity number cut the total capacity in half and add two more quarts of antifeeeze. Fill your radiator first with the non-diluted antifreeze. You will see that it all will not go in. Have someone start the motor and let it run a couple of minutes and turn it off the antifreexe should have dropped somewhat. Install a new closed system radiator cap and fill the recovery tank with the remaining antifreeze - all of it. Fill the recovery tank to the top with distilled water. As you drive your vehicle for a few days you'll notice a drastic drop in the coolant leval in the tank. Add distilled water only, every couple of days till the leval (hot and cold) stabilize. I've been doing this since 1964, you'll get a clean system with the correct anount of antifreeze. My modo has always been "If you do it yourself you'll know it's done right. Good luck.

Answer 5

Use what the car came with.The best way is to take it to a oil change place and let them do it.They flush out the old stuff with cleaner and replace it with 100 percent new stuff.