Vac-N-Fill Procedure
To prevent boiling of the coolant/water mixture in the vehicles cooling system, do not apply vacuum to a cooling system above 49°C (120°F). The tool will not operate properly when the coolant is boiling.
- Install the engine block coolant heater, if equipped. Coolant Heater Replacement (LWN) , or Coolant Heater Replacement (LV1, L96, LC8)
- If the engine block coolant drain plugs were removed, perform the following:
- Apply pipe sealer to the engine block coolant drain plugs.
- Install the engine block coolant drain plugs and tighten to 60 N.m (44 lb ft).
- Install the radiator outlet hose to the radiator. Radiator Outlet Hose Replacement (LWN) , or Radiator Outlet Hose Replacement (LV1) , or Radiator Outlet Hose Replacement (L96, LC8)
- Lower the vehicle.
Install J 42401 radiator cap and surge tank test adapter (1).
Attach the Vac-N-Fill cap (1) to J 42401 radiator cap and surge tank test adapter.
Attach the vacuum gauge assembly (1) to the Vac-N-Fill cap (2).
Attach the fill hose (1) to the barb fitting on the vacuum gauge assembly (2).
Ensure that the valve is closed.
- NOTE:
Use a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL® antifreeze and clean, drinkable water. Always use more coolant than necessary. This will eliminate air from being drawn into the cooling system.
Pour the coolant mixture into the graduated reservoir (1).
- Place the fill hose in the graduated reservoir (1).
- Install the vacuum tank (2) on the graduated reservoir with the fill hose routed through the cut-out area (3) in the vacuum tank.
Attach the venture assembly (1) to the vacuum tank (2).
Attach a shop air hose to the venture assembly (1).
Ensure the valve (2) on the venture assembly is closed.
Attach the vacuum hose (1) to the vacuum gauge assembly (2) and the vacuum tank (3).
- Clamp off the overflow hose.
Open the valve (1) on the venture assembly (2). The vacuum gauge will begin to rise and a hissing noise will be present.
Continue to draw vacuum until the needle stops rising (1). This should be 610 - 660 mm Hg (24 - 26 in Hg).
Cooling hoses may start to collapse. This is normal due to vacuum draw.
- To aid in the fill process, position the graduated reservoir above the coolant fill port.
Slowly open the valve (1) on the vacuum gauge assembly (2). When the coolant reaches the top of the fill hose, close the valve. This will eliminate air from the fill hose.
- Close the valve on the venture assembly.
- If there is a suspected leak in the cooling system, allow the system to stabilize under vacuum and monitor for vacuum loss.
If vacuum loss is observed, Loss of Coolant .
- Open the valve on the vacuum gauge assembly. The vacuum gauge will drop as coolant is drawn into the system.
Once the vacuum gauge reaches zero (1), close the valve on the vacuum gauge assembly and repeat steps 11 - 17.
Detach the Vac-N-Fill cap (1) from J 42401 radiator cap and surge tank test adapter.
Remove J 42401 radiator cap and surge tank test adapter (1).
- Add coolant to the system as necessary.
- Inspect the concentration of the coolant mixture using J 26568 coolant and battery tester.
- Install the radiator surge tank cap.
- Rinse away any excess coolant from the engine and the engine compartment.
- Detach the vacuum hose form the vacuum gauge assembly.
Attach the extraction hose (1) to the vacuum hose (2).
Open the valve (1) on the venture assembly (2) to start a vacuum draw.
Use the extraction hose (1) to draw out coolant to the proper level.
- The vacuum tank has a drain valve on the bottom of the tank. Open the valve to drain coolant from the vacuum tank into a suitable container for disposal.
Refer to Fastener Caution .
Prior to installing the vacuum tank onto the graduated reservoir, ensure that the drain valve located on the bottom of the tank is closed.
After filling the cooling system, the extraction hose can be used to remove excess coolant to achieve the proper coolant level.