If you rebuild model year 2003 GM 4.8L, 5.3L or 6.0L VIN V, T and U truck engines, your customers may be unaware of new GM coolant fill procedures. The following is good information to duplicate and include with a rebuilt engine.
Following this procedure will ensure that the engine coolant system has been filled properly.
Improper coolant filling may occur following a condition where the engine coolant has been drained. If the cooling system is filled through the radiator neck and/or engine coolant overflow reservoir engine, overheating may result. When attempting to fill that way the engine coolant may not flow beyond the closed thermostat located on the lower engine at the radiator hose connection. The engine coolant level may appear to be full up to the radiator neck when actually the system may be 4-6 quarts low. If the engine is operated that way an engine overheating condition may occur.
GM offers the following information to correctly fill the cooling system on these engines.
- Reposition hose clamp and remove the upper radiator hose.
- Remove the coolant air bleed hose from the radiator.
- Use a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL