changing fluids

[99_SL2]

changing both the ATF and coolant tomorrow for the first time,

first for atf..
I think the s series has a plug to drain from right?

and for both?
any hints? I got an OEM filter, some good ATF and a prestone cleaner for the coolant flush.

[TheMU47]

The trans plug is a 15mm, it's located on the diff area.

The coolant petcock is on the driver's side I think, you'll see it at the bottom of the radiator...use a 1/4 drive to put in the bastid, you'll thank me later.
There's also a 10mm bolt under the thermostat housing area, that is the coolant drain for the block.

Of course, run the cleaner in the car for a few minutes (bottle probably says 10 minute run time at regular operating temps) before draining it out...and keep the heat on so you clean out the heater core....then drain the system. Coolant gets pretty F'in hot, so be careful.

[S.Bretz]

Some petcocks havve the quater inch gimmick. If there is no hole, then a pair of needle nose usually work great....those bastids are hard to turn by hand.

[99_SL2]

also, i guessed that the coolant capacity is about 3 gallons?

[Andy_95sl2]

Petcock is on the passenger side.

[JazzyJeff]

Petcock is on the passenger side.

my 97 was on the driver side. as well as Omars and every other Saturn I've ever worked on...

[Plastic Fury]

Petcock is on the passenger side.

my 97 was on the driver side. as well as Omars and every other Saturn I've ever worked on...

interesting, my first gen SC1 is on the passanger side as was the first gen SC2.

[99_SL2]

eh, ill find it, no debating necessary, anyone know how much coolant there is?

i guess i should measure anyways.. nvm

[JazzyJeff]

Petcock is on the passenger side.

my 97 was on the driver side. as well as Omars and every other Saturn I've ever worked on...

interesting, my first gen SC1 is on the passanger side as was the first gen SC2.

hmmm, well I had an aftermarket replacement radiator. Think that would have anything to do with it? And I'm like 99% sure Omars was on the driver side too. But I've been wrong before.....once...lol

Good Luck with the flush! Are you just going to keep water running through it or do you have the kit that lets the water circulate through it and it dumps right out?

[99_SL2]

supposed to drain, fill with water and cleaner, run until the car is warm then drain and fill with coolant

is what i think i remember the label saying

[Andy_95sl2]

This is the way i do it

1. Drain coolant out of block and radiator.
2. Flush radiator via jamming a hose in the reservoir with a towel wrapped around it, and open the petcock.
3. Put a few scops of oxy-clean in the reservoir and fill as if you're putting coolant in.
4. Run engine for about 10 minutes and turn heat on to flush heater core.
5. Turn off car and drain soapy water.
6. Jam the hose back in the reservoir and turn the car on, leaving the petcock open.
7. As the car runs, the water pump will pump water through the heater core and block, flushing out all the crud and soap
8. Fill with a 50/50 solution of antifreeze to water and go on your merry way :lol:

To reiterate on the capacity of the cooling system, I'd dump a gallon of antifreeze in the system, and fill the same bottle with 1 gallon of water and throw that in. Get a second bottle of coolant and pour half of it in the first bottle, and fill both with water to make a 50/50 mixture. Take one jug and pour as needed. Make sure the car is on and is at operating temperature ( ~1/4 on gauge) with the cap off. Wait until engine is cold to put the cap back on. I believe that (correct me if i'm wrong) that any air is burped out, but air cannot come in, correct?

[S.Bretz]

drain on passenger's side.

[sl2racer]

my 97 is on the passenger side. sorry jeff.

[SupraCharged007]

yea um Ive NEVER seen a stock radiator, or stock replacement with the drain on the drivers side lol. Maybe you had a JDM version? [img]{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif[/img]

about 1.5-2 gallons is the coolant capacity. If you just buy one gallon of straight coolant you should be good. Or 2 bottles of premix

[S.Bretz]

I do 1 gallon of coolant first, then finish with water until its done. It should be right about 2 gallons, to youwill be pretty close to the 50/50 mix...but you need to make use to drain the block too, or else the mix ratio will be off (like it really matters anyway (well, it does up north)).