- 1). Move your truck onto car ramps. Let it sit until the engine cools.
- 2). Open the hood and remove the radiator cap. Turn the cap, slowly, counterclockwise. As it loosens, allow any built-up pressure to escape before removing the cap.
- 3). Slide under the truck with your catch pan and screwdriver.
- 4). Look for the petcock on the passenger side of the radiator. If you do not see a petcock, look for the radiator hose. Loosen the clamp holding the hose onto the radiator with the screwdriver. Slide the catch pan under the petcock or hose.
- 5). Turn the valve on the petcock counterclockwise or release the hose and allow the coolant to drain into the catch pan.
- 6). Tighten the petcock by turning it clockwise or reattach the hose and clamp.
- 7). Pour radiator flush into the radiator and fill it the rest of the way with water. Replace the radiator cap.
- 8). Siphon any fluid out of the reservoir if applicable. Place a siphon hose into the reservoir container and put the open end down toward the ground. The hose must be lower than the reservoir. Gravity will cause the fluid to flow out of the reservoir through the hose. Place a container, such as a large bucket or pail, to catch the fluid as it drains. Empty your catch pan into the same container.
- 9). Turn the truck on and let it run. Turn the heater in the truck to high. Let the truck run until you hear the cooling fan engage, then shut the engine off. Let the engine cool.
- 10
Drain the radiator again, sliding under the truck and disconnecting the hose or opening the petcock. Empty the contents of the catch pan into the bucket. - 11
Remove the radiator cap and fill the radiator with water. Leave the cap off and start the truck again. When the fan engages, shut the engine off. - 12
Carefully drain the radiator again. The water draining out will be hot. Empty the pan and put the catch pan back under the truck. - 13
Fill the radiator with water and let it run out into the catch pan through the petcock or hose. Watch the water draining; when it is clear, stop. Close the petcock or reattach the hose. Empty the pan and place it back under the truck. - 14
Add coolant to the radiator, following the instructions provided with the product. - 15
Start the truck up after the radiator is full. The cap should be off when the engine is running. - 16
Let the air push out of the radiator system while the engine is running. Air may push coolant out into the pan. Let the engine run for a few minutes to remove any air bubbles, then replace the radiator cap. - 17
Lower the truck off the ramps and add any additional coolant needed to fill the radiator. Let the engine cool, then check the levels again.
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