coolant BUICK CENTURY 1996 User Guide

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
I NOTICE:
r
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.
2. Then keep turning
the pressure cap,
but
now push down as you
turn it. Remove the
pressure cap.
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.
,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.
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i,I *La "
2.2L L4 Engine
The 2.2L Engine (VIN Code 4) has one bleed valve
located at the thermostat housing.
L L
3.1L V6 Engine
3. After the engine cools, open the coolant air
bleed valve.
3.1 L V6 (VTN Code M): There are two bleed valves.
One
is located on the thermostat housing. The other
is located on the thermostat bypass tube.
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4. Fill the radiator with the proper mix, up to the base
of
the filler neck.
If you see a stream of coolant coming from an air
bleed valve, close
the valve. Otherwise, close the
valves after the radiator is filled.
5. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the
engine compartment.
6. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the FULL
HOT mark.
7. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap
off.
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8. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fan.
9. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator
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. 10.
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.
11. 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.
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When you open the hood of your 2.2L engine you’ll see:
D. Engine Oil Cap and Dipstick G. Engine Fan
E. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick H. Air Cleaner
F. Brake Fluid Reservoir 1. Battery
A. Windshield Washer Reservoir
B. Engine Coolant Reservoir
C. Power Steering Reservoir
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When you open the hood of your 3.1 L engine you’ll see:
A
A. Windshield Washer Reservoir
B. Engine Coolant Reservoir
C. Power Steering Reservoir
D. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
E. Oil Fill Cap
E Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir
H. Engine Fan
I. Air Cleaner
J. Battery
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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
Underhood Lamp
Your underhood lamp is designed to come on whenever
you raise the hood.
Engine Oil
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order
to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
things that will burn onto a hot engine. Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to
drain back into the oil pan. If you don't, the oil dipstick
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. might
not show the actual level.
Checking Engine Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again,
keeping the tip down, and check the level.
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Engine Coolant
@ Protect ag- rust and corrosion.
@ Help.keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the whg lightd md gages work as
they shouicl.
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 engiue
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.
lain 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.
I 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.
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.
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rhacking Coc’mt * clding Coolant
!
The coolant recovery tank is located on the passenger’s
side
of the engine compartment.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
ADD or a little higher. When your engine is warm, the
level should be up to
FULL HOT or a little higher.
.
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
coolant recovery tank.
If the coolant recovery tank is completely empty, add
coolant to the radiator. (See “Engine Overheating”
in the Index.)
I-
Thrning 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.
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