engine coolant CHEVROLET OPTRA 2004 1.G User Guide

Checking Coolant
The engine coolant surge tank is located in the rear of
the engine compartment on the driver’s side. See
Engine Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. Never turn the surge tank pressure
cap — even a little — when the engine and
radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be between the
MAX (A) and MIN (B) marks on the coolant surge
tank. The level rises at engine operation temperature
and drops again when the engine cools down.
5-23

Adding Coolant
If the level falls below the MIN (B) mark, add the proper
coolant mixtureat the surge tank,but only when the
engine is cool. If the surge tank is empty, a special fill
procedure is necessary. SeeCooling System on
page 5-27for instructions on “How to Add Coolant to
the Coolant Surge Tank.”
{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.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may occur.
Be sure the cap is properly and tightly secured.
Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
vehicle’s instrument panel cluster. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Gage on page 3-32.
5-24

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood.
Stay away from the engine if you see or hear
steam coming from it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re. You
or others could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
5-25

Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank with Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fan{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the hood
can start up even when the engine is not
running and can injure you. Keep hands,
clothing and tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
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. Make sure that the
air conditioning is turned off.
5-27

The coolant level should be between the MIN (B) and
MAX (A) marks on the coolant surge tank when the
engine is cool. 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.
{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, with the engine on, check
to see if the electric engine cooling fan is running.
If the engine is overheating, the fan should be running.
If it is not, your vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
5-28

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
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 between the MIN (B) and MAX (A)
marks, add a 50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable waterand
proper 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 on
page 5-21for more information.
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
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
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.
5-29

{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 a proper 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.
{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.
5-30

3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture
to the MAX (A) mark on the coolant surge tank.
Wait about five minutes, then check to see if
the level is below the MAX (A) mark. If the level is
below the MAX (A) mark, add additional coolant
to bring the level up to the MAX (A) mark. Repeat
this procedure until the level remains constant
at the MAX (A) mark for at least five minutes.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 than
the MAX (A) mark, add more of the proper
mixture to the coolant surge tank until the level
reaches the MAX (A) mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
See your dealer, if necessary.
5-32

What to Use
To determine what kind of fluid to use, seePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-24.
Always use the proper fluid. Failure to use the proper
fluid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
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
The windshield washer fluid reservoir is located in the
front of the engine compartment on the driver’s side
of the vehicle. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for reservoir location.Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it.
Add washer fluid until the tank is full.
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.
5-34

18,000 Miles (30 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +.)
21,000 Miles (35 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
24,000 Miles (40 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation
on page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and
additional information.(See footnote +)
27,000 Miles (45 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
30,000 Miles (50 000 km)
❑Change engine oil and filter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs first).An Emission Control Service.
❑Replace passenger compartment air filter. If you drive
regularly under dusty conditions, the filter may
require replacement more often.
❑Replace engine air cleaner filter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Rotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-58for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote +.)
❑Replace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect drive belt(s).
❑Inspect timing belt.
❑Drain, flush and refill cooling system. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-21for what to use. Inspect hoses.
Clean radiator, condenser, pressure cap and neck.
Pressure test the cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
❑Inspect EVAP canister, vapor lines and solenoid valve
filter.An Emission Control Service. (See footnote †.)
❑Inspect PCV system.An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote †.)
❑Change brake/clutch fluid (or every 24 months,
whichever occurs first).
6-8