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How to Drain Fill and Bleed Coolant 1988-98 GMC K1500 V8 5-7L

Created on: 2017-03-24

Learn how to replace the coolant in your 88-98 GMC K1500. Save money by doing it yourself. 1A Auto shows you how!

  1. step 1 :Draining the Coolant
    • Twist off the radiator cap
    • Have a drain pan ready
    • Twist off the radiator drain plug
    • Allow the coolant to drain
    • Twist on the radiator drain plug
  2. step 2 :Filling the Coolant
    • Add coolant to the coolant bottle using a funnel
    • Twist on the radiator cap
    • Run the engine briefly
    • Add coolant as necessary

Tools needed

  • Funnel

    Socket Extensions

    Drain Pan

    Ratchet

    Anti-Freeze

Hi, I'm Mike from 1AAuto. We've been selling auto parts for over 30 years! We're dedicated to delivering quality auto parts, expert customer service, and fast and free shipping, all backed by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. So visit us at 1AAuto.com, your trusted source for quality auto parts.

In this video, we're going to be working with our 1996 GMC Sierra K1500 5.7 liter V8. We're going to show you the proper procedure to drain, refill and bleed your vehicle's cooling system. If you like this video, please click Subscribe. We have a ton more information on this and many other vehicles, and if you ever need parts for your car, you can follow the link down in the description or go to 1AAuto.com.

Here are the items you'll need for this procedure: drain bucket, coolant, funnel

Remove your radiator cap by pushing down and turning it counterclockwise. At the bottom of the driver's side of the radiator, you'll see a little thumb screw for your radiator drain. Make sure you have a drain bucket underneath there, then reach down and loosen it by hand. Allow your cooling system to drain and then close the drain on the radiator.

Fill your vehicle with a 50-50 mix of Dex-Cool coolant. We're using the special funnel to show you how much air actually comes out of the system when you do this, but any old funnel will do at home.

To finish bleeding your cooling system, simply leave the radiator cap off, start your vehicle, and set your defrosters or vents to the lowest fan speed and the highest temperature setting. This will allow the heater core to bleed as well. Just run the vehicle. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. Let it get up to temp and monitor the coolant level inside of your radiator and top off as necessary. You'll notice that there will be several surges where it sort of burps and an air bubble comes out. It loses some fluid. You top it off and this process will probably repeat a few times.

Remove your funnel, and reinstall your radiator cap. Fill the overflow and your vehicle is good to go.

Thanks for watching. Visit us at 1AAuto.com for quality auto parts, fast and free shipping, and the best customer service in the industry.


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