Kia Forte BD Quiz
Maintenance

Cooling System

In this manual: Maintenance
General Information — 8Maintenance — 32Engine Mechanical System — 47Engine Electrical System — 17Emission Control System — 10Engine Control System/Fuel System — 32Clutch System — 11Manual Transmission — 11DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) System — 16Drive Shaft and Axle — 8Suspension System — 26Steering — 9Restraints — 11Brake System — 27Body (Interior and Exterior) — 119Body Electrical System — 98Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning — 27
54steps
~324min
5/5difficulty
Done 0 of 54

Repair Procedures

Inspection

Radiator Hoses

  1. Inspect the radiator hoses for the following:

    1. Improper installation

    2. Leaks

    3. Cracks

    4. Damage

    5. Loose connections

    6. Chafing

    7. Deterioration

Coolant Level

  1. Check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir. Make sure it is between the "F" mark and the "L" mark.

  2. If the coolant level in the coolant reservoir is at or below the "L" mark, add coolant so that it is between the "L" and "F" marks, then inspect the cooling system for leaks.

Coolant Quality

  1. Remove the radiator cap.

  2. Check for excessive rust or scale deposits around the radiator cap assembly and the radiator filler neck. Also, make sure the coolant is free of oil.

    If there is excessive contamination, clean the coolant passages and replace the coolant.

  3. Install the radiator cap.

Replacement and Air Bleeding

[Gamma 1.6 MPI/T-GDI, Nu 2.0 MPI]

  1. Make sure the engine and radiator are cold to the touch.

  2. Remove the radiator cap (A).

    [Gamma 1.6 MPI, Nu 2.0 MPI]

    [Gamma 1.6 T-GDI]

  3. Remove the engine room cover.

    (Refer to Engine Mechanical System - "Engine Room Cover")

  4. Loosen the drain plug (A) and drain the coolant.

    [Gamma 1.6 MPI, Nu 2.0 MPI]

    [Gamma 1.6 T-GDI]

  5. Tighten the radiator drain plug securely.

  6. After draining the engine coolant, clean the reservoir tank.

  7. Fill the radiator with water through the radiator cap and tighten the cap.

  8. Start the engine and allow it to warm up to normal operating temperature. Wait for the cooling fans to turn on several times.

    Raise the engine speed to help purge trapped air. Turn the engine off.

  9. Wait until the engine has cooled down.

  10. Repeat steps 1 through 8 until the drained water is clean.

  11. Slowly fill the coolant and water mixture (45 - 50%) through the radiator cap.

  12. Start the engine and let it run until the coolant begins to circulate.

    When the cooling fan is operating and the coolant is circulating, add coolant through the radiator cap.

  13. Repeat step 11 until the cooling fan has come on 3–5 times and sufficient air has been bled from the cooling system.

  14. Install the radiator cap and fill the coolant reservoir to the "MAX" (or "F") line.

  15. Run the vehicle at idle until the cooling fan has cycled 2–3 times.

  16. Stop the engine and wait for the coolant to cool down.

  17. Repeat steps 10 to 15 until the coolant level stops dropping, then bleed air from the cooling system.

    Coolant Capacity

    Gamma 1.6 MPI/T-GDI:

    MT: approx. 5.3 L (1.40 US gal, 5.60 US qt, 4.66 liter qt)

    AT: approx. 5.2 L (1.37 US gal, 5.49 US qt, 4.59 liter qt)

    Nu 2.0 MPI:

    MT: approx. 5.4 L (1.43 US gal, 5.71 US qt, 4.75 liter qt)

    AT: approx. 5.3 L (1.40 US gal, 5.60 US qt, 4.66 liter qt)

    Gamma 1.6 T-GDI:

    approx. 6.9 L (1.82 US gal, 7.29 US qt, 6.07 liter qt)

[New U 1.6 TCI]

If KDS is available, replace the coolant in accordance with the procedure below.

  1. Make sure the engine and radiator are cold to the touch.

  2. Remove the radiator cap (A).

  3. Remove the engine room cover.

    (See Engine and Transaxle Assembly - Under Hood)

  4. Loosen the drain plug (A) and drain the coolant.

  5. Tighten the radiator drain plug securely.

  6. After draining the engine coolant, clean the reservoir tank.

    (See Cooling System - Reservoir Tank)

  7. Slowly fill the coolant and water mixture (45–50%) through the radiator cap.

    Coolant capacity:

    approx. 6.9 L (1.82 US gal, 7.30 US qt, 6.07 liter qt)

  8. Start the engine.

  9. Connect the KDS.

  10. Perform the "Coolant Filling Mode of the Integrated Thermal Management Module".

  11. Keep the engine idling until the cooling fan has turned on and off 3–5 times.

  12. After disconnecting the KDS, start the engine after cranking the engine with the engine off.

  13. Install the radiator cap (A).

  14. Check the engine coolant level.

  15. Fill the coolant.

  16. Install the engine compartment cover.

    (See Engine and Transaxle Assembly - Under Hood)

If KDS is not available, replace the coolant as necessary. Refer to the procedure below.

  1. Make sure the engine and radiator are cold to the touch.

  2. Remove the radiator cap (A).

  3. Remove the engine room cover.

    (See Engine and Transaxle Assembly - Under Hood)

  4. Loosen the drain plug (A) and drain the coolant.

  5. Tighten the radiator drain plug securely.

  6. After draining the engine coolant, clean the reservoir tank.

    (See Cooling System - Reservoir Tank)

  7. Slowly fill the coolant and water mixture (45–50%) through the pressure cap.

    Coolant capacity:

    approx. 6.9 L (1.82 US gal, 7.30 US qt, 6.07 liter qt)

  8. Disconnect the connector (A) of the Integrated Thermal Management Module (ITM).

  9. Start the engine.

  10. Keep the engine idling until the cooling fan has turned on and off 3–5 times.

  11. After turning the engine off, disconnect the Integrated Thermal Management Module (ITM) connector (A).

  12. Start the engine.

  13. Check the operating sound of the Integrated Thermal Management Module (ITM) to confirm that it operates correctly.

  14. After starting the vehicle, check the coolant.

  15. Fill the coolant.

  16. Install the engine compartment cover.

    (See Engine and Transaxle Assembly - Under Hood)

Test yourself

A quick Kia Forte BD quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.