radiator cap BUICK REGAL 1999 Owners Manual

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5-11
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see (3800 supercharged engine similar):
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood can
start up even when the engine is not running and
can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from any underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down.
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5-15
CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the radiator
pressure cap
-- even a little -- they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever have to
turn the pressure cap.
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5-16 How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
NOTICE:
Your engine has a specific radiator fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure could cause your
engine to overheat and be severely damaged.
1. You can remove the
radiator pressure cap
when the cooling
system, including the
radiator pressure cap and
upper radiator hose, is
no longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until it
first stops. (Don't press down while turning the pressure
cap.) If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the
pressure cap, but now
push down as you turn
it. Remove the
pressure cap.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
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5-19
7. Replace the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield.
A. Remove the oil fill tube, with cap attached, from
the valve cover.
B. Insert the catch tab on the cover shield under the
bracket on the engine.
C. Place the hole in the cover shield over the hole in
the valve cover. Install oil fill tube and cap by
twisting clockwise.
D. If you have the supercharged engine, install the
nut in the center of the cover shield.8. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the COLD
mark on the coolant recovery tank.
9. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the pressure cap off.
10. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
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5-20
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX
-COOL
coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the level reaches the
base of the filler neck.
12. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time during
this procedure if coolant begins to flow out of the
filler neck, reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrows on the pressure cap line up like this.13. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It's unusual for a tire to ªblow outº while you're driving,
especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it's much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a ªblowout,º here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
skid and may require the same correction you'd use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely.
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6-10
When you open the hood on the 3800 (Code K) V6 Engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Remote Positive (+) Battery TerminalE. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
G. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Engine Oil Fill CapI. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
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6-11
When you open the hood of the 3800 (Code 1) V6 Supercharged Engine, you'll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Radiator Fill Cap
D. Remote Positive (+) Battery TerminalE. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
G. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Engine Oil Fill CapI. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Fluid Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly.
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6-25
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an
ACDelco
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an ACDelco


thermostat is recommended.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with
DEX
-COOL
engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240 000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX
-COOL
extended life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating or if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see ªEngine Overheatingº in the Index.
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6-28
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but be
careful not to spill it.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty, add
coolant to the radiator. (See ªEngine Overheatingº in
the Index.)
CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
With the coolant recovery tank, you will almost
never have to add coolant at the radiator. Never
turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a little --
when the engine and radiator are hot.
CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
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6-73
Normal Maintenance
Replacement Parts
Engine/Air Cleaner FilterAC Type A1208C . . . . . .
Passenger Compartment Air Filter10406026 . . . .
Battery
3800 (Code K) V6 AC Type 690 CCA. . . . . . . . . . .
3800 Supercharged
(Code 1) V6 AC Type 770 CCA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine Oil Filter
All Engines AC Type PF47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator Cap
All Engines AC Type RC27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RKE BatteriesType CR2032 (2) or equivalent . . . . .
Spark Plugs
3800 (Code K) V6 AC Type 41
-921 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gap: 0.060 inches (1.52 mm)
3800 Supercharged
(Code 1) V6 AC Type 41
-921 or NGK Type . . . . .
PTR4B
-15 Gap: 0.060 inches (1.52 mm). . . . . . . . . .
Wiper Blade
Type Hook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Length 22 inches (56 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle Dimensions
Wheelbase 109.0 inches (276.9 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tread (Front) 62.0 inches (157.6 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tread (Rear) 61.3 inches (155.6 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overall Length 196.2 inches (498.4 cm). . . . . . . . . . .
Overall Width 72.7 inches (184.5 cm). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overall Height 56.6 inches (143.8 cm). . . . . . . . . . . .
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