engine BUICK REGAL 1996 Repair Manual

To provide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits from
forming
in your engine and fuel system, allowing your
emission control system to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have to add anything to the fuel. In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may be
available in your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. Don’t use it. It can corrode
metal parts in your fuel system and also damage
plastic and rubber parts. That damage wouldn’t
be covered under your warranty.
Fuels id Foreign Countries
If you plan on driving in another country outside the
United States or Canada, the proper fuel may be hard to
find. Never use leaded gasoline or any other fuel not
recommended in the previous text on fuel. Costly repairs
caused by use of improper fuel wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or
contact a major oil company that does business in the
country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for
advice. Just tell us where you’re going and give your
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
L1H 8P7
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CAUTION:
If you get gasoline on yourself and then
something ignites it, you could be badly burned.
Gasoline can spray out on you if
you open the
fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen
if your tank is nearly full, and
is more likely in
hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and
wait
for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew
the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline
from
painted surfaces as soon as possible. See “Cleaning the
Outside
of Your Buick” in the Index.
When you put the cap back on, turn
it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you
fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap
has been left off or improperly installed. This would
allow fuel
to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
“Malfunction Indicator Lamp”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for you.
If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit
or have proper
venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
A CAUl iON:
An electric 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.
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Hood Release
.. . /! CAUTION:
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.
To open the hood, first
pull
the handle inside
the vehicle.
Then
go to the front of the vehicle and release the
secondary hood release. Lift the hood.
6-7
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When you open the hood on the 3.1L L82 engine, you'll see:
D
A. Engine Coolant E. Engine Oil Dipstick I. Windshield Washer
Recovery Tank F. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
Fluid Reservoir
B. Radiator Fill
Cap G. Brake Fluid Reservoir J. Battery (located under
C. Power Steering Reservoir
H. Air Filter Windshield Washer
D. Engine Oil Fill
Cap Fluid Reservoir)
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When you open the hood of the 3.8L L36 engine, you’ll see:
r
A. Engine Coolant
Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Fill Cap
C. Power Steering Reservoir
D. Engine Oil Dipstick
It‘ A
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
F. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir
H. Air Filter
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
J. Battery (located under
Windshield Washer Fluid
Reservoir)
6-9
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Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
it firmly.
hgine
If the LOW OIL LEVEL
light on the instrument
panel comes on, it means
you need to check your
engine oil
level right away.
For more information, see
“Low Oil Level Light” in
LOW OIL
LEVEL
the Index.
You should check your engine oil level regularly; this is
an added reminder.
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil after you get
fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be
hot and the vehicle must be on level ground. 3.1L
LS2 (Code
M) Engine
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near
the front
of the engine.
6-10
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3.8L L36 (Code K) Engine
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.
When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll
need to add some oil. But
you must use the right
kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to use. For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
Turn off the engine and give the oil
20 minutes to drain
back into
the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick might
not show the actual level. NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that
shows the proper
operating range, your engine could be damaged.
6-11
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I
I
3.1L L82 (Code M) Engine 3.8L L36 (CodeK) Engine
Just
fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back
in when you’re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol.
This symbol
indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute
(API). Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your ’own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the Starburst symbol on the
front
of the oil container. If
you have your oil changed
for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is
American Petroleum
Institute certified for
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
i I
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RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL -------ylY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAL VlSCOSlTV
bnmws DIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE. -
HOT
WEATHER
LOOK
FOR THIS
SYMBOL
"F
4- 100
+ 801
t 60.
+ 40-
t 20
0.
j
,
+ 16
i4
-7
COLD
WEATHER
SAE CW-30 PREFERRED
00 NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
3.1 L L82 (Code M) Engine
As shown in the chart, unless you have the 3.8L engine,
SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use SAE low-30 if it's going to be 0°F (-18°C) or
above. These numbers on an oil container show its
viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use other viscosity oils,
such as SAE 20W-50.
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RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL r---'--lY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE
VISCOSITY G...."- ,I1 FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
- "F "C
+loo- - +38
+eo- - +27
+60--+16
t40--+4
t20---7
0---18
/
WOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
'I I I--
SAE 1OW-3fl PREFERRED above 0°F
SAE 5W-30 (-1eOc)
COLD
WEATHER
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, if you nave the 3.8L engine, SAE
low-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can use
SAE 5W-30 if it's going to be colder than 60°F (16°C)
before your next oil change. When it's very cold, you
should use
SAE 5W-30. These numbers on an oil
container
show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as
SAE 20W-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline Engines "Starburst" symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil can result in engine damage not
covered by your warranty.
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
1 .ILIVC
Don't add anything to your oil. Your Buick dealer is
ready to advise
if you think something should be added.
3.8L L36 (Code
K) Engine
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