How to Flush the Radiator in a Saturn VUE
- 1). Park the Saturn VUE on a level surface and set the parking brake.
- 2). Pop the hood open and touch the radiator to see if it is cool. If not, wait for it cool off before you proceed. Turn the radiator cap one full turn, wait for any leftover pressure to release and then remove the cap completely.
- 3). Place a bucket or tray with a capacity of 2-gallons beneath the radiator and below the drain plug. Twist the drain plug to begin draining the coolant into the bucket. You may need a crescent wrench to get the plug open.
- 4). Dispose of the old coolant properly in a sealable container. Then, put the bucket back into its original position.
- 5). Close the drain plug and fill the Saturn VUE's radiator with distilled water. Then, open the drain plug to let the water flow into the bucket. Keep repeating this process until the water runs debris-free out the radiator drain plug. You can use tap water to flush the radiator, but there is a chance that ordinary tap water will leave sediment behind, which can damage your coolant system.
- 6). Twist the drain plug tightly back into place and dispose of the radiator flush properly. Pour fresh coolant into the radiator until it is within an inch of the top lip.
- 7). Turn on the Saturn VUE and set the heating fan to high. Allow the VUE to continue running until the cooling fan turns on twice.
- 8). Shut the engine off and check the coolant level. If it went down, then add more coolant. Otherwise, put the radiator cap back on and shut the hood to complete the flushing.
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