How to flush the coolant system of a 1996 buick regal

SOURCE: Low Coolant light flashing on 1996 Buick Regal 3.8

The low coolant sensor should be located in the passenger side radiator tank, You need to take it out and clean the sludge off of it for it to work right. Or you can just unplug it and forget about it, the light will go out and it won't cause any problems.

mike kirschbaum

• 1198 Answers
• Posted on May 03, 2009

SOURCE: my low coolant light is flickering on and off. I

The sensor should be easy to find, check it's connection. A Chilton book will have the schematic for your car, and you can track the circuit for the sensor.

SOURCE: 1996 Buick Regal Sport - Leaking Plastic Elbow

YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE BELT TENSIONER.
IF YOU BUY THE CARTER BELT TENSIONER AT ADVANCED AUTO, IT COMES WITH: A PLASTIC ELBOW WITH O RINGS, TENSIONER, PULLEY, NEW O RING WHERE THE BELT TENSIONER MATES TO THE ENGINE BLOCK AND NEW O RINGS FOR THE INLET AND OUTLET CONNECTIONS ON THE BELT TENSIONER TO THE HEATER CORE (COST $72).
IF YOU DON'T REPLACE ALL THE ABOVE O RINGS THEN YOU CAN EXPECT MORE LEAKS.
IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE PLASTIC ELBOW YOU MUST REMOVE THE BELT TENSIONER ANYWAY. IF THE BELT HAS SEVERE CRACKS REPLACE IT ALSO.
STEPS:
-REMOVE BELT
-DISCONNECT BATTERY
-DRAIN ANTIFREEZ AND DISCARD
-REMOVE ALTERNATOR
-REMOVE BELT TENSIONER
-REMOVE PLASTIC ELBOW (DO NOT ALLOW BROKEN PIECES PLASTIC OR DIRT TO GET INSIDE THE ENGINE WATER CAVITIES.
-CLEAN ALL CONNECTION WHERE O RING WILL MATE.
-TO REASSEMBLE GO IN REVERS ORDER
-REFILL THE RADIATOR WITH COOLENT 50% MIX USE THE 5 YR GUARANTEE TYPE.
-MAKE SURE THE COOLENT RESERVIOR IS
FILLED TO THE HOT LEVEL MARK.
-RUN THE ENGINE UNTILE IT IT REACHES THE 1/4 % TEMP MARK ON THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE THEN TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND OPEN THE BLEED SCREW ON TOP OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING.
ALLOW THE AIR TO EVACUATE, YOU WILL SEE COOLENT COME OUT THEN CLOSE THE BLEED SCREW.
-BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN YOU OPEN THE RADIATOR TO REFILL TO THE TOP.
-REPEAT THIS ONE MORE TIME.
-RUN THE ENGINE AND KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE' IF THE TEMPERATURE GOES BEYOND THE 1/2% MARK, SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE QUICKLEY AND LET THE ENGINE COOL.
THIS MAY TAKE HOURS TO COOL DOWN BUT THE COOLING SYSTEM WILL TURN FROM PRESSURIZED TO VACUUM AND DRAW COOLENT FROM THE RESERVOIR TO REFILL THE SYSTEM.
YOU WILL NOTICE THE LEVEL DROP IN THE RESERVOIR .

SOURCE: replace rear struts 1996 buick regal

Here is a link describing your strut replacement. Autozone also has free tool rental for the strut spring compressor if you need it. Thank you, and don't forget to vote. http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c152800681ba

SOURCE: Trying to flush the radiator--cannot find the bleed valve for coolant.

The drain should be on the drivers side at the bottom of the radiator, facing the driver. It's a plastic "wing" that unscrews. There should also be a bleeder for exhausting the air from the system when you refill. The bleeder I'm familiar with is a brass screw screwed into the thermostat housing. (where the top hose attaches at the engine)