engine coolant GMC SAVANA 1996 User Guide
Page 206 of 372
5. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap
off.
I ., . k.
6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fan.
filler neck may be lower.
If the level is lower, add
more of the proper
mix through the filler neck until
the level reaches the base of the filler neck.
7. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator
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Page 207 of 372
Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing andor high
outside temperatures, the fan speed increases as
the clutch
more fully engages.
So you may hear an increase in fan
noise. This is normal and should
not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making extra shifts. It is merely
the cooling system functioning properly. The fan will
the clutch partially disengages.
- slow down when additional cooling is not required and
8. 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.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start
the engine.
It will go away as the fan clutch
partially disengages.
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Page 232 of 372
When you lift the hood, ~011’11 see these items:
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Engine Oil Fill
E. Transmission Dipstick
F. Air Cleaner
G. Power Steering Reservoir
H. Brake Master Cylinder
I. Windshield Washer Fluid
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Page 233 of 372
If your vehicle has a 7.4L engine and air conditioning,
your vehicle will have a auxiliary engine fan
in addition
to the belt driven
fdn.
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the auxiliary
engine fan under the hood can start up and
injure you even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
~ Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a
fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
~ oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and
~ other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things that
will burn onto a hot engine. Before closing
the hood, be sure
all the filler caps are
on properly.
Then
lift the hood to relieve pressure on the hood prop.
Remove the hood prop from the slot
in the hood and
return the prop to
its retainer. Then just let the hood
down and close
it firmly.
Noise Control System
The following information relates to compliance with
Federal noise emission standards for vehicles with a
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than
10,000 lbs. (4 536 kg). The Maintenance Schedule
booklet provides information on maintaining the noise
control system to minimize degradation of the noise
emission control system during the life of your vehicle.
The noise control system warranty is given
in your
Warranty booklet.
These standards apply only
to vehicles sold in the
United States.
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Page 244 of 372
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain
in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how
to
add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your vehicle will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 “F ( 129 O C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting GM Specification 6277M.
If
silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first.
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What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets
GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum parts. Use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If you
use this mixture, you don’t need to add anything else. Adding
only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a
50/50 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
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Page 246 of 372
NOTICE:
~~
If you use an improper coolant mix, your engine
could overheat and be badly damaged. The
repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
I NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
FULL COLD, or a little higher.
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Page 247 of 372
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix ut the
coolcrnt mcoveq* tmk.
A CAUTION:
Tbrning 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.
Add coolant mix at the recovery tank. but be careful
not
to spill it.
A 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.
Radiator Pressure Cap
The radiator pressure cap nust be tightly installed with
the arrows
on the cap lined up with the overflow tube on
the radiator filler neck.
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 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.
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Page 248 of 372
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine cooling system. The thermoskt stops the
tlow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches
a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat,
an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
Power Steering Fluid
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
tluid unless you suspect there
is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, unscrew the cap
and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag. Replace the cap
and completely tighten
it. Then remove the cap again
and
look at the fluid level on the dipstick.
The level should be at the FULL COLD mark. If
necessary, add only enough fluid to bring
the level up to
the mark.
To prevent brake fluid contamination, never check or
fill
the power steering reservoir with the master cylinder
cover off.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of fluid to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index. Always use the proper fluid.
Failure to use the proper fluid can cause leaks and
damage hoses and seals.
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Page 325 of 372
1 Short Trip/City Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant”
in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
AI1 Emission Control Service.
0 Inspect spark plug wires.
An Ernission Control Service.
0 Replace spark plugs.
0 Change automatic transmission fluid and
An Emission Colztrol Service.
filter if the vehicle’s GVWR is over
8600 lbs. or if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one
or more of these conditions:
- In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches
90” F
(32°C) or higher.
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If yxt do mt use yx.tr vehicle lmder- any of
thew conditio~~s, the flL.rici md,filt6>r do not
require dhnging.
0 Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation
(Pcv) valve. An Emission Cor~trol Service.
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
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