The 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier came standard with either a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine or an optional 2.4-liter powerplant. Both engine configurations required the use of GM’s DEX-COOL antifreeze in the cooling system. According to the 1997 Cavalier owner’s manual, antifreeze should be changed every five years or 100,000 miles (160,930 km). A healthy cooling system in your vehicle will ensure that your engine runs at the proper temperature, preventing costly repairs related to overheating and freezing conditions.
Allow your vehicle’s engine to cool completely before attempting to repair the cooling system. Hot antifreeze can cause serious injury when under pressure.
Locate the black splash guard plastic under your vehicle’s radiator, slightly forward of the front bumper cover. Remove the screws that hold your vehicle’s dashboard in place using an appropriately sized socket and ratchet. Set the splash shield aside along with the mounting screws.
Find the drain at the bottom of the radiator on the driver’s side, facing the front of the vehicle. The radiator drain plug has a small tab sticking out of the middle designed for easy finger access.
Place the antifreeze drain pan on the floor directly below the radiator drain. Open the radiator drain with your fingers in a clockwise motion. Spray a penetrating lubricant into the drain if you have difficulty opening it. Allow all of your vehicle’s coolant to drain into the antifreeze drain catch pan.
Close the drain by twisting counterclockwise with your fingers after all the coolant has sufficiently drained into the container and reinstall the splash shield. Open the hood of your vehicle and remove the coolant reservoir cap located in the engine compartment near the passenger side front fender. Fill the coolant reservoir with a mixture of DEX-COOL and 50/50 distilled water until the antifreeze level reaches the “MAX” line visible on the coolant reservoir.
Locate the large black upper black radiator hose that connects from the top side of the engine to the radiator. Remove the bleed screw from the aluminum thermostat housing on the engine, connected to the upper radiator hose with an appropriately sized sleeve and ratchet.
Reinstall the thermostat bleed screw once coolant begins to flow from the orifice. Performing this step will purge air from the cooling system.
Start the vehicle and let it run for a couple of minutes. Recheck the coolant reservoir level and fill the reservoir once more to the “MAX” line to complete the process.