engine coolant CHEVROLET EXPRESS 1996 1.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
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.
5-16

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I
3. Fill the radiator with the proper mix, up to the base
of the filler neck. 4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the FULL
COLD mark.
5-17

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 5. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave
the radiator pressure cap off.
I
6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fan.
7. 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.
5-18

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When the
clutch is engaged,
the fan spins faster to provide more air
to cool the engine. In most every day driving conditions,
the fan
is spinning slower and clutch is not fully engaged.
This improves fuel economy and reduces fan noise.
Under heavy vehicle loading, trailer towing and/or 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
slow down when additional cooling is not required and
the clutch partially disengages.
You may also hear this Fan noise when you start
the engine. It will go away as the fan clutch
partially disengages.
5-19

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When you lift the hood, you’ll see these items:
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Engine Oil Dipstick
D. Engine Oil Fill
E. Transmission Dipstick
6-8
F. Air Cleaner
G. Power Steering Reservoir
H. Brake Master Cylinder
I. Windshield Washer Fluid

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 fan.
A CAUTION:
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.
6-9

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 5060 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your vehicle will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 “F ( 129 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 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.
6-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half
clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half DEX-COOL
Rul (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.
’/d CAUTION:
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.
6-21

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
Checking Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
FULL COLD, or a little higher.
6-22

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix ut the
coolant recovery tank.
I
L
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 0- 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 must be tightly installed with
the arrows
on the cap lined up with the overflow tube on
the radiator filler neck.
I 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.
6-23