How to Flush Anti-Freeze on a Cadillac

Every car owner understands the need for regular maintenance to keep the vehicle running and reliable. To save on the cost of auto repairs, many owners choose to perform their own basic mechanical work. Maintenance chores that can be done at home without a professional mechanic include brake changes, detailing, oil changes and flushing the cooling system. A cooling system flush on a luxury car such as the Cadillac is not difficult and can be performed in just an hour or two using materials that can be purchased at any automotive store.

Instructions

1

Park your Cadillac on level ground. Jack up the front end and place a jack stand on each side of the vehicle so that the radiator and undercarriage are accessible. Let the engine cool off before moving on to the next step.

2

Place a drain pan under the radiator. Remove the radiator hose using hose clamp pliers. Place the radiator hose over the drain pan and remove the radiator cap. Remove the radiator drain plug at the bottom of the radiator using a socket wrench. Allow the radiator fluid to drain into the pan.

3

Close and tighten the radiator drain plug with the socket wrench. Reconnect the hose to the radiator by repeating the removal process in reverse. Pour the old radiator fluid into a 5-gallon bucket for later disposal.

4

Fill the radiator with flush product and reposition the drain pan beneath the radiator. Seal the radiator cap by turning the cap clockwise all the way. Start the car and run the engine for about 10 minutes to allow the flush product to circulate through the engine.

5

Turn off the car and allow it to cool. Remove the radiator cap once again and follow the previous steps to drain the flush product from the radiator. Pour the used flush product into the 5-gallon disposal bucket.

6

Reconnect the radiator hose and plug. Then, fill the radiator with clean water. Allow the engine to run for another 10 to 15 minutes and then turn the car off, allowing the engine block and radiator to cool once again.

7

Drain the water from the radiator, repeating the previous steps for draining fluid from the radiator. Then, reconnect the radiator drain plug and hose, and refill the radiator with a 50/50 antifreeze coolant. Close and tighten the radiator cap, twisting it clockwise, and make sure the hose and drain plug are firmly secured to the radiator. Lower the car off of the jack stands and let the engine to run for at least 10 minutes before driving the Cadillac.