My 2006 H3 is due for a Dex-Cool anti-freeze change now that it is 5 years old. The manual has nothing about how to do a complete drain. Are there engine block drain plugs and where? Anything I should know about?
I want to get all the old anti-freeze out so I was even thinking about cutting off the lower radiator hose, draining it and then replacing with a new hose but I would rather not cut a good hose.
Any help appreciated.

 

u can usually remove hoses,like when u do other work,without destroying them. they have connectors u loosen and pull them off. i suppose u could put hose on,add water , run till hot and drain again. do it three times if ure concerned....

 

To drain the I5 H3 you remove the lower radiator hose at the radiator. Use a flat band hose clamp. Once you have that going in to a bucket, take off the radiator cap and wait about 30 minutes, you will drain out at lease 1.5 gallons from the 2.5 gallon system. You can hit the starter to turn the engine over and get maybe another quart. Put the lower hose on again and then do some flushing with distilled water and repeate draining untill all that is left is clean water.

Drain again out and add 5 Qts of Dex-Cool, that will get you to 50%-50%.

On the fill side, start with filling the radiator all the way then when you can't get any more in the radiator, then add to the overflow tank. Run the truck to regular full operating temp. Let it cool and check the overflow tank and add a bit of collant to that if still low.

 

Thanks for the replies.
I guess the I5 does not have a engine block plug or a radiator drain plug like most other GM products?
I'll be under it Wed. for the anti-freeze change and an oil change.

 

No. That is why I said take off the lower radiator hose. Most current vehicles do not have a drain because new coolant fluid reliability does not make changing it every 5Yrs/100K miles routine maintenance.

 

I agree with doc

 

Anyone ever try a UView airlift?

 

and only a hunnert bucks!

ill get mine right away!

 

They sell them, people have them. Not suggesting anyone go buy one for a once every 5 year flush, just asking if anyone has tried one. I happen to have one that I ordered a while back for an overheating problem with a different vehicle that could never be resolved. Ended up not using it but I did loan it to someone and he said it worked great - better than he thought it would. I think I paid around $60 for it.