I am planning to do a coolant flush on my 01 Neon. To drain the coolant, I know that you remove the lower rad hose or the drain plug to empty out all the coolant.

Then after I replace the plug, how do I refill the coolant - through the reservoir at the back or through the radiator hose cap? Do I have to worry about air getting trapped in there?

Thanks

 

From the FSM:
STANDARD PROCEDURE - FILLING COOLING SYSTEM (2.0L SOHC)

WARNING: MAKE SURE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM IS COOL BEFORE REMOVING PRESSURE CAP OR ANY HOSE. THE COOLING SYSTEM IS PRESSURIZED WHEN HOT. SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY MAY RESULT FROM ESCAPING HOT COOLANT.

(1) Close radiator draincock. Hand tighten only.
(2) Remove the cooling system pressure cap and fill the cooling system with the recommended coolant.
For recommended coolant usage, (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/FLUID TYPES - DESCRIPTION).
NOTE: Be careful not to spill coolant on drive belts or the generator.
(3) Fill coolant to the top of the pressure cap neck.
(4) Install cooling system pressure cap.
(5) Slowly fill coolant reserve/recovery bottle to at least the FULL HOT mark with the recommended coolant. It may be necessary to add additional coolant to the reserve/recovery bottle after three or four warm-up/cool down cycles to maintain coolant level between the FULL HOT and ADD marks; if any additional trapped air was removed from the system.

 

Thanks for your help, darthroush. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

Guys I have a problem - I did the coolant flush using the instructions, but now my car is overheating. This is what I did:

Emptied out the coolant from the rad drain plug and from the reservoir. I filled it with water, ran the car for 5 mins and then emptied the water out. Then used Zerex G05 to fill up through the rad cap and the reservoir. I ran the car without the rad cap for about 5 mins, it just started overflowing through the cap. I then replaced the cap and after driving for a while, the temp went up past the halfway point on the gauge.

Any suggestions?

 

For starters, 1/2 way up the gauge is not "overheating." If you run it without the cap on, it will overflow as air makes its way through the system and finds the outlet. After you drove it, did you "burp" the system and recheck the level? What mix did you use?

 

I used the prediluted 50/50 mix. My usual temp is about 1/4 of the way up.

Do I have to worry about the coolant overflowing and leaking onto the belts/other components? How long do I have to let it overflow?

 

It's not good to let it overflow onto the belts, but it happens. You aren't supposed to let it overflow though. You should try "burping" the system. After you drive it and it cools down a bit, pop the radiator cap and any air will "burp" out. Air pockets can cause warmer than normal temperatures. Speaking of which though, is your radiator cap gasket in good condition?

 

OK so I burped the system. The temp is much stable now. I noticed the edge of the seal breaking off the rad cap, will have to replace that too.

Thanks for your help.

 

Glad to hear! Amazing what a bad cap can do too.