coolant level CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 1981 4.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine "the "TEMP" light comes on (or, if you have a 900lant temperature gage, the
gage needle goes into the warning zone) and your air conditioner is on, turn it
off.
If the "TEMP" light (or gage) comes on while you are stopped in traffic,
shift the transmission to
"N" (Neutral).
If the "TEMP" light doesn't go off (or the gage needle doesn't start to drop)
within a minute or two:
• Pull over to a safe Place ""d stop the vehicle. Set the parking brake and
shift to "P" (Park) 9r, with a manual transmission, shift to Neutral first, then
set the parking brake.
• DON'T TURN OFF THE ENGINE. INCREASE THE ENGINE SPEED until it
sounds like it's going about twice as fast as normal idle speed. Bring the
idle speed back to normal
after two or three minutes.
tfthe "TEMP" light still doesn't 90 off, (or the gage needle doesn't start to
drop),
NOW TURN OFF THE ENGINE and proceed as follows.
•
lift the engine hood. Look at the coolant level in the "see through" coolant
recovery tank. The coolant level. should be at or above the "Full Cold"
mark on the tank. If it looks like the coolant is boiling, wait until it stops
before proceeding. You should not need to remove the radiator cap to
check the coolant
level and. it can be dangerous if the coolant is still hot. See the following Caution.
CAUTION: To help avoid being burned:
"'-'''''''''i',",,;0-Fc:io'ffi)tcremoy'J~_ c;<)olant recovery tank cap if the coolant is boiling, and
• do not remove -the radiatorc:ap WhilethIit8ngine'-aUid:radiltor a,.Slili hot.
Scalding fluid and steamean be released under pressure it either cap is taken off too soon,
-;<
• If coolant level is low:
•
looklorleaks at the radiator hoses and connections, heater hoses and
connections,
r"diator,and water pump. See that the. fan belts are not
broken or off the pulleys an.d that the fan turns when the engine is started,
•
Add coolant to the recovery tahk.
If
the cQolant level in the recovery tank is althe correct lellel arid the "TEMP"
light (gage) still co"",s.dn,. air may be tr~ in the cooling system, This may
stop coolant from returning to the radiator. In this case, you may have to add
coolant directly to the radiator.
See "Coolant Replacement" under engine
cooling system
in "Service and Maintenance," Section 5 of this manual. Follow
steps 1 and 10. for the correct way to remove the radiator cap and add .coolant
to the radiator.
After the
"TEMP" light is out (or the gage needle is out of the warning zone),
resume driving at a reduced speed. Return to normal driving after about ten
minutes if the light does not come back
on (or the gage needle does not go
back into the warning zone).
3-4

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine COOL
WARM
Add just enough DEXRO~ II fluid to fill the transmission to the proper level. It
takes only 0.5 liter (one pint) to raise the level from "Add" to "Full" with a hot
transmission.
Automatic Transmission Drain Intervals
Change the transmission fluid and change the filter (or clean the screen) as
outlined
in Section A of the Maintenance Schedule folder.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Your vehicle has a coolant recovery system. Coolant in the system expands
with heat and overflows into the recovery tank. When the system cools down,
coolant is drawn back into the radiator.
The cooling system was
filled at the factory wrth a quality coolant that meets
GM
Spec~ication 1S99-M . The cooling ·system is designed to use coolant (a
mixture of water and ethylene glycol antifreeze) rather than plain water. The
coolant solution should be used year round.
It has many advantages, such as:
~ provides freezing protection down to -3rC (-34"F) "''''''<~. !'"","."" ' • provides boiling protection up to 12S"C (262"F),
• protects against rust and corrosio~in th~ cooling system,
• maintains the proper engine temperature for efficient operation and
emission control, and
• allows proper operation of the coolant temperature light or gage :
See Section A of the Maintenance Schedule folder to find out when the coolant
must
be ·replaced.
Cooling System Care
Check the c60ling system at regular intervals, such as during fuel stops . You usually do not need to remove the radiator cap to check the coolant level. Lift
the engine hood and look at the "see through" coolant recovery tank. When
the engine is
cold, the coolant level should be at the "Full Cold" mark on the
tank . When the engine has fully warmed . up, the level should be above the
"Full Cold" mark on the tank . If the coolantl6vel is low, remove the cap on the
coolant recovery tank. Add to the recovery tank enough of a 50/50 mixture of
water and a good quality ethylene glycol antifreeze to bring the
level up to the
proper mark. Put the cap back on the recovery tank.
Certain conditions, such
as air trapped in the system, may affect the coolant
level in the radiator. You should check"the coolant level in the radiator at the
time you change the engine
oil and when the engine Is cold. Follow.taps I, S,
9, and 10 under "Coolant Repfacement" for the correct way to remove the
radiator cap and add coolant.
5-6

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If you have to add coolant more than four times a year (either to the recovery
tank or to the radiator), see your dealer for a cooling system check.
NOTICE: If you use the proper quality antifreeze, there is no· need to add extra inhihitorsor additiveswtlich claim to improve-the system. They may be harmful to the proper operation of the system.
Cooling' System Service
The cooling system should be serviced at the intervals specified in Section A of
the Maintenance Schedule folder as follows:
1. Wash the radiator cap and filler neck with clean water. See step 1 of "Coolant Replacement" for the proper way to remove the radiator cap.
2. Check the coolant level in the radiator and have it tested for freeze
protection.
Add ethylene glycol antifreeze, if needed, to maintain freeze
protection at-3JOC (~$4°f).
3. Have the cooling system and radiator cap tested for a pressure capacity of 105. kPa (15psi). (The pressure cantle anywhere from 95 kPa, or 14 psi,
to 120
kPa, or 18 psi.) If a replacement cap is needed, use an AC cap, or
an equivalent cap, designed fof coolant recovery systems and specffied for
your model.
4. Tighten all radiator hose clamps ang heater hose clamps and inspect all
hoses. Replace the hOSes if they are swollen, "checked" or otherwise worn.
NOTICE: Take care when tightening the hose clamps at the radiator. Overtightening could bend or collapse the radiator fittings.
5. Clean the front of the radiator core and air conditioning condenser to
remove dirt and other objects. Also clean the auxiliary engine oil andlor
transmission fluid cooler if the vehicle has them.
Coolant Replacernent
At the intervals specffied in Section A of the Maintenance Schedule folder, flush
9r1d refill the cooling system as follows:
1. Remove the radiator cap when the engine is cool:
•
Turn the cap slowly to the left until it reaches a "stop." Do not press
down while turning the
cap.
• Wait until any remaining pressure (indicated by a hissing sound) is
relieved, then press down on the cap and continue turning it to the left.
CAUTION: To help avoid the dangarm being burned. donotrem_ove the radiator cap While the engine' and radiator are. still. hot. Scaldingftukland steam ean be blown out under ~re It the cap is taken off too SOOf1.
2. When the cap is removed, run the engine until the upper rad.iator hose is
hot.
(ThiS shows that th~ thermostat is open and the coolant is flowing
through the system.)
3. Stop the engine. Open Ihe,actialor drain valVE! to drain the coolant. Drainage may be speeded by removing the drain plugs in the block, ff so
equipped.
5-7

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine SERVICE STATION INFORMATION
Refer to "Service and Maintenance,"
Section 5 for Further Details
Fuel Cap -Localed behind the license plate.
See fuel cap removal procedl,lre on page 5-1.
Fuel Requirements -Use unleaded gasoline only. See "Fuel Requirements "
in "Starting and Operating. " Section 2 of this manual.
Hood Release - Located beneath the instrument panel to the left of the
steering column. To open, pull the handle to release the hood lock. Then push down slightly on the hood while lifting the underhood lever , and raise the hood. (See illustration).
Engine Oil Oipstiek-Located on right or left side of engine block depending on engine model. Check the engine oil level when the oil is warm, such as during a fuel stop. Keep the oil level above the "Add " line on the dipstick .
Engine Oil Recommendation (Gasoline Engine) -Use only SF-quality oils. (See "Service and Maintenance," Section 50f this manuaL) The chart on page 5·5 will serve as a guide for choosing the proper viscosity oil.
Tire Inflation. Pressures -Check at least monthly (including the spare, unless it is a stowaway spare). Keep them inflated to pressures shown on
the Tire Placard on the left door. (Keep compact spare tires inflated to 415 kPa or 60 psL)
Engine Cooling System -Check the fluid level in the "see·through " coolant recovery tank at regular intervals , such as during a fuel stop. (See "Engine Cooling System " in "Service and Maintenance, " Section 5 of this manual.
Windshield Washer -Check reservoir fluid level regularly. Use a washer fluid, such as GM Optikleen .
Battery -Your new car has a Delco FREE[X)M It battery. You will never have
to add water. The hydror:neter (test indicator) in ,the cover provides infor­mation for testing purposes only.