No More Radiator Drain Valves in GM vehicles
Starting in 2003, GM discontinued the use of a drain hose attached to the radiator drain valve. Later, GM discontinued the use of a radiator drain valve altogether. Some models continued to include a drain valve, but the valve was permanently sealed during production. Do NOT try and operate these sealed valves—they will break. GM warns that if you try to remove and replace the valve, debris from the breakage may circulate throughout the system and damage water pump, heater core, and thermostat components.
The bottom line is that you must now either remove the lower radiator hose or use a siphon to remove coolant from the radiator. This bulletin applies to all 1998-04 GM cars and trucks.
For more information on this repair or any others for your vehicle, buy an online subscription to either Alldatadiy.com or eautorepair.net. Click on this link to compare the two services: Compare Alldata and Eautorepair.
If you just need information for a single repair and want to save money,eautorepair offers a lower price 1-week subscription for only $11.99. Or, if you’ll be working on this vehicle in the future, you can buy a 1-year subscription (Alldatadiy.com for $26.99, or eautorepair.net $29.99)
© 2007 Rick Muscoplat
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ABS issues, how to bleed ABS brakes
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