engine coolant CHEVROLET KODIAK 2007 Owner's Manual

If No Steam Is Coming From
Your Engine
An overheat warning, along with a low coolant light,
can indicate a serious problem. SeeLow Coolant
Warning Light on page 173for more information.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no low
coolant light, but see or hear no steam, the
problem may not be too serious. Sometimes the
engine can get a little too hot when you:
•Climb a long hill on a hot day.
•Stop after high-speed driving.
•Idle for long periods in traffic.
If you get the overheat warning with no sign of
steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL while stopped. If it is safe to do so,
pull off the road, shift to PARK (P) or
NEUTRAL and let the engine idle.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest
fan speed and open the windows as
necessary.
3. If climbing a hill, downshift to raise engine and
fan speeds.If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for
about 10 minutes. If the warning does not come
back on, you can drive normally.
If the warning continues and you have not
stopped, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can push
down the accelerator until the engine speed is
about twice as fast as normal idle speed for at least
three minutes while you are parked. If you still have
the warning, turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicle until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.
289

Cooling System (Gas and
DURAMAX
®/Isuzu Engines)
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is
what you will see:
A. Engine Fan
B. Coolant Surge TankIf your vehicle has a Caterpillar
®diesel engine,
see the Caterpillar®Diesel Engine Operation and
Maintenance Manual provided with your vehicle.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant level should
be at the FULL COLD
mark or higher. If it is
not, you may have a leak
at the pressure cap or in
the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator,
water pump, or
somewhere else in the
cooling system.
290

{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other
engine parts, can be very hot. Do not
touch them. If you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If
you run the engine, it could lose all
coolant. That could cause an engine re,
and you could be burned. Get any leak
xed before you drive the vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, start the engine
again. The engine cooling fan speed should
increase when idle speed is doubled by pushing
the accelerator pedal down. If it does not,
your vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.
Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty.Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing sooner, at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see
if coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant
is visible but the coolant level is not at the FULL
COLD mark or higher, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant at
the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank pressure
cap, is cool before you do it. SeeEngine
Coolant (Gas and DURAMAX
®/Isuzu Engines) on
page 284orEngine Coolant (Caterpillar®Diesel
Engines) on page 287for more information.
291

If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add
coolant as follows:
{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 coolant surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — they can come out at
high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant surge
tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have
to turn the pressure cap.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can
boil before the proper coolant mixture will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is
set for the proper coolant mixture. With
plain water or the wrong mixture, your
engine could get too hot but you would
not get the overheat warning. Your engine
could catch re and you or others could
be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and
crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts. Use the recommended coolant and
the proper coolant mixture.
292

{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. Do not spill
coolant on a hot engine.
1. You can remove the
coolant surge tank
pressure cap when
the cooling system,
including the coolant
surge tank pressure
cap and upper
radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise
about one full turn. 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 slowly,
and remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to the FULL COLD mark.
293

4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off,
start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch
out for the engine cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper mixture to the
coolant surge tank until the level reaches
slightly above the FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
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
everyday driving conditions, the 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 when the clutch 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 disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start
the engine. It will go away as the fan clutch
disengages.
294

Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer fluid, be sure
to read the manufacturer’s instructions before
use. If you will be operating your vehicle in an area
where the temperature may fall below freezing,
use a fluid that has sufficient protection against
freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid
until the tank is full.
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located in
the engine compartment on the driver’s side of
the vehicle.Notice:
When using concentrated washer uid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions
for adding water.
Do not mix water with ready-to-use washer
uid. Water can cause the solution to
freeze and damage your washer uid tank
and other parts of the washer system.
Also, water does not clean as well
as washer uid.
Fill your washer uid tank only
three-quarters full when it is very cold.
This allows for expansion if freezing
occurs, which could damage the tank if it
is completely full.
Do not use engine coolant (antifreeze) in
your windshield washer. It can damage
your washer system and paint.
296

(28)= Inspect Electronic Vacuum Regulator
Valve (EVRV) filter for excessive contamination
or plugging. If needed, clean filter with solution
of soap and water, let dry and install.
(29)= Drain, flush, and refill cooling system.
This service can be complex; you should
have your dealer perform this service. See
Part C: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 397for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap, and
neck. Pressure test cooling system and pressure
cap. For Caterpillar
®diesel engines, always
refer to the Caterpillar®Diesel Engine Operation &
Maintenance Manual for coolant recommendations
and change intervals.
(30)= Change the lubricant. See
Part C: Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants on page 397.
(31)= Front axle service: Re-pack upper
kingpin roller bearing.(32)= Air brake service:
•Inspect brake lines and hoses for proper
hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks, chafing,
etc. Inspect drum brake linings for wear or
cracks. Inspect other brake parts at each
wheel, including drums and wheel speed
sensor wiring. Check brake pedal for
excessive free play or travel (or every
6 months, whichever occurs first) and have
serviced if needed. Check brakes more often
if driving habits and conditions result in
frequent braking. Replace air dryer cartridge
only if excessive oil or moisture is present.
A small amount of oil in the system is normal
and should not be considered as a reason
to replace the cartridge.
•Test air lines for leaks; tighten as needed.
Replace compressor filter.
•Inspect air parking brake chamber for leaks
and damage. Inspect lines and hoses for
leaks, cracks, chafing, etc. Also check
all attachments for tightness, wear, or damage.
Note: The spring brake section of the rear
brake diaphragms are non-serviceable.
389

Part B: Owner Checks and Services
Listed in this part are owner checks and services
which should be performed at the intervals
specified to help ensure the safety, dependability
and emission control performance of your
vehicle.
For your safety and that of others, any of the
safety-related components that may have been
damaged in an accident should be checked
and any needed repairs made before operating
the vehicle.
At the minimum, these routine checks should be
made every 6 months or 6,000 miles (10 000 km),
whichever occurs first. Whenever repairs are
needed, have them completed before operating
the vehicle.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important for you or a service station attendant
to perform these underhood checks at each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper
oil if necessary. SeeEngine Oil (Caterpillar®
Diesel Engine) on page 268orEngine Oil
(Gasoline Engine) on page 268orEngine Oil
(DURAMAX
®/Isuzu Diesel Engine) on page 272.
Engine Coolant Level Check
Check the engine coolant level and add
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture if necessary. See
Engine Coolant (Gas and DURAMAX®/Isuzu
Engines) on page 284orEngine Coolant
(Caterpillar
®Diesel Engines) on page 287.
Windshield Washer Fluid Level Check
Check the windshield washer fluid level in the
windshield washer fluid reservoir and add
the proper fluid if necessary. SeeWindshield
Washer Fluid on page 296.
Tire Ination Check
Check tire inflation cold. Make sure the tires are
inflated to the correct pressures. SeeLoading Your
Vehicle on page 238andInation - Tire Pressure
on page 322.
391

Part C: Recommended Fluids
and Lubricants
Fluids and lubricants identified below by name,
part number, or specification may be obtained
from your dealer.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil
(Gasoline
Engine)Engine oil which meets GM
Standard GM6094M and displays
the American Petroleum Institute
Certified for Gasoline Engines
starburst symbol. GM Goodwrench
®
oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle. To determine the
proper viscosity for your vehicle’s
engine, see “Engine Oil” in the
Index.
Usage Fluid/Lubricant
Engine Oil
(DURAMAX
®/
Isuzu Diesel
Engines)Engine oil with the letters CJ-4
or CI-4 is best for your vehicle.
The CJ-4 or CI-4 designation
may appear either alone or in
combination with other API
designations, such as API CJ-4/SM.
These letters show American
Petroleum Institute levels of quality.
To determine the preferred viscosity
for your vehicle’s diesel engine,
see “Engine Oil” in the Index.
Engine Oil
(Caterpillar
®
Diesel Engine)See the Caterpillar
®Operation &
Maintenance Manual for engine
oil recommendations.
Engine Coolant
(Caterpillar
®
Diesel Engine)See the Caterpillar
®Operation &
Maintenance Manual for engine
coolant recommendations.
397