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NHTSA ID Number: 10205563
Manufacturer Communication Number: 21NA237
Summary
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to perform a cooling system flush to remove possible debris from the cooling system pipes.
20 Affected Products
Vehicles
| MAKE | MODEL | YEAR |
CADILLAC | ESCALADE | 2021 |
| CADILLAC | ESCALADE ESV | 2021 |
| CHEVROLET | 3500 | 2020-2021 |
| CHEVROLET | SILVERADO 1500 | 2019-2021 |
| CHEVROLET | SILVERADO 2500 | 2020-2021 |
| CHEVROLET | SUBURBAN | 2021 |
| CHEVROLET | TAHOE | 2021 |
| GMC | SIERRA 1500 | 2019-2021 |
| GMC | SIERRA 2500 | 2020-2021 |
| GMC | SIERRA 3500 | 2020-2021 |
| GMC | YUKON | 2021 |
| GMC | YUKON XL | 2021 |
Condition
Some customers may comment on lower heater performance from the driver side HVAC vents when compared to the passenger side.
• In some cases, the driver side center dash vent will have the lowest temperature.
Cause
This may be caused by a blocked heater core tube.
Correction
Flush the cooling system using a flushing agent recommended by GM.
Note: GM of Canada is working on making this product available from other sources but as of the time of publication, the source in Canada will be Canadian Tire under part number 038–0891.
⇒ Perform a flushing procedure using Blue Devil Radiator Flush Cooling System Cleaner, which is approved by GM engineering.
Service Procedure
Important: All signs of the cooling system cleaner must be flushed completely from the cooling system before adding the coolant.
Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling and Flushing in SI.
Note: The temperature difference between the vents when the process is complete should no more than 5-7 degrees C with the engine at full operating temperature with all vents open. If the temperature difference persists after flushing, the dealer should contact TAC.
1. Drain coolant and wash all of the coolant out of the system with clean drinkable water.
2. Add flushing chemical (one container) to the surge tank and fill the cooling system with clean drinkable water.
Note: Do not allow the vehicle to become exposed to sub-freezing temperatures with the engine off, the flushing chemical provides no freeze protection.
3. Allow the engine to idle for 4 hours, the vehicle can also be driven if desired during this period.
4. Confirm that the heater outlet temperatures are within 5-7 degrees C with all vents open and the heater on high fan with outside air.
5. Drain and wash the cooling system with clean drinkable water and refill with a 50/50 mix of Dexcool Coolant and clean drinkable water.
The performance of the heater may improve very soon after the flushing chemical is placed in the system. The chemical must remain in the system for between 3 and 4 hours to have the effect of removing the deposit that is causing the heater core to be blocked. This material is primarily in the radiator, so if it is not thoroughly cleaned out, the condition could recur.
SEOCONTENT-START
Service Bulletin Bulletin No.: 21-NA-237
Date: November, 2021
TECHNICAL
Subject: Poor Heater Performance On Drivers Side
Attention: This bulletin does not apply to vehicles with the L5P engines.
This bulletin replaces PIT5818. Please discard PIT5818.
Brand: Model:
Model Year: VIN: Engine: Transmission:
from to
Cadillac Escalade
Models 2021
2021
Chevrolet
Silverado
1500 (New
Model)
2019
Chevrolet Silverado 2020
Chevrolet Suburban 2021
Chevrolet Tahoe 2021
GMC Sierra 1500
(New Model) 2019
GMC Sierra 2020
GMC Yukon
Models 2021
Involved Region or Country North America, Europe, Russia, Middle East
Condition
Some customers may comment on lower heater performance from the driver side HVAC
vents when compared to the passenger side.
• In some cases, the driver side center dash vent will have the lowest temperature.
Cause This may be caused by a blocked heater core tube.
Correction
Flush the cooling system using a flushing agent recommended by GM.
Note: GM of Canada is working on making this product available from other sources but
as of the time of publication, the source in Canada will be Canadian Tire under part
number 038–0891.
⇒ Perform a flushing procedure using Blue Devil Radiator Flush Cooling
System Cleaner, which is approved by GM engineering.
Page 2 November, 2021 Bulletin No.: 21-NA-237
Service Procedure
Important: All signs of the cooling system cleaner
must be flushed completely from the cooling system
before adding the coolant.
Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling and
Flushing in SI.
Note: The temperature difference between the vents
when the process is complete should no more than 5-7
degrees C with the engine at full operating temperature
with all vents open. If the temperature difference
persists after flushing, the dealer should contact TAC.
1. Drain coolant and wash all of the coolant out of the
system with clean drinkable water.
2. Add flushing chemical (one container) to the surge
tank and fill the cooling system with clean drinkable
water.
Note: Do not allow the vehicle to become exposed to
sub-freezing temperatures with the engine off, the
flushing chemical provides no freeze protection.
3. Allow the engine to idle for 4 hours, the vehicle can
also be driven if desired during this period.
4. Confirm that the heater outlet temperatures are
within 5-7 degrees C with all vents open and the
heater on high fan with outside air.
5. Drain and wash the cooling system with clean
drinkable water and refill with a 50/50 mix of
Dexcool Coolant and clean drinkable water.
The performance of the heater may improve very soon
after the flushing chemical is placed in the system. The
chemical must remain in the system for between 3 and
4 hours to have the effect of removing the deposit that
is causing the heater core to be blocked. This material
is primarily in the radiator, so if it is not thoroughly
cleaned out, the condition could recur.
Parts Information
Causal
Part
Description Part
Number
Qty
N/A DEX-COOL® Refer
to EPC As Required
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under the Bumper-to-Bumper
coverage (Canada Base Warranty coverage), use the
following labor operation. Reference the Applicable
Warranties section of Investigate Vehicle History (IVH)
for coverage information.
Labor Operation Description Labor Time
4088258* Cooling System Complete Flush 4.0 hr
*This is a unique Labor Operation for Bulletin use only.
Version 1
Modified Released November 18, 2021
ADDITIONAL SI KEYWORDS:
cold, cool, heat, hot,
SEOCONTENT-END
1 Associated Document
Manufacturer Communications
Bulletin No.: 21-NA-237
Date: November, 2021
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