FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
Courtesy of Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Cooling System Inspection

ON-VEHICLE CLEANING
Using water or steam, cleaner, remove any mud and dirt from the radiator core.

NOTICE: If using a high pressure type cleaner, be careful not to deform the fins of the radiator core. (i.e. Maintain a distance between the cleaner nozzle and radiator core.)

ON-VEHICLE INSPECTION
1. REMOVE RADIATOR CAP

CAUTION: To avoid the danger of being burned, do not remove the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are still hot, as fluid and steam can be blown out under pressure.

2. INSPECT RADIATOR CAP

NOTICE:
- If the radiator cap has contaminations, always rinse it with water.





- Before using a radiator cap Lester, wet the relief valve and pressure valve with engine coolant or water.

Using a radiator cap tester, pump the tester and measure the relief valve opening pressure.

Standard opening pressure:
93 - 123 kPa (13.5- 17.8 psi)
Minimum opening pressure:
78 kPa (11.4 psi)






HINT: Use the tester's maximum reading as the opening pressure. If the opening pressure is less than minimum, replace the radiator cap.

3. INSPECT COOLING SYSTEM FOR LEAKS
a. Fill the radiator with coolant and attach a radiator cap tester to the water filler.
b. Warm up the engine.
c. Pump it to 118 kPa (1.2 kgs.cm2, 17.1 psi), and check that the pressure does not drop.
If the pressure drops, check the hoses, radiator or water pump for leaks. If no external leaks are found, check the heater core, cylinder block and cylinder head.

4. REINSTALL RADIATOR CAP