radiator CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1997 User Guide

A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C.
Air Cleaner
D. Radiator Cap
E. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
F. Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Automatic Transmission Dipstick
H. Engine Oil Fill
I. Fan
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
M. FuseRelay Center
6-13
ProCarManuals.com

When to Add Oil
If the oil is at or below the ADD mark, then you’ll need
to add at least one quart of 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.
NOTICE:
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the upper
mark that
shows the proper operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
The engine oil fill cap on the “VORTEC” 5700 is
located on the driver’s side engine valve cover. The
engine oil fill cap on the “VORTEC”
7400 is located on
the front
of the engine, near the radiator.
Be sure to 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 gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown in the following chart:
6-15
ProCarManuals.com

If the differential is at operating temperature (warm),
add enough lubricant to raise the level
to the bottom of
the filler plug hole.
If the differential is cold, add enough lubricant
to raise
the level to
1/2 inch (12 mm) below the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind
of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL@ engine coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain
in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles
(240
000 km), whichever occurs first, if you add only
DEX-COOL@ extended life coolant.
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 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your vehicle will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 “F ( 129 * C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning gages work as they should.
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL@ 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. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
6-26
ProCarManuals.com

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOLS coolant which
won’t damage aluminum parts.
If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
J
A 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@ coolant.
I 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.
6-27
ProCarManuals.com

Checking Coolant
The coolant recovery tank is located on the passenger’s
side at
the rear corner of the engine compartment.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the
COLD mark, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should be up to the HOT mark, or a
little higher.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture ut the coolant recovery tank.
-
A CAUTION:
I -
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 -- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mixture at the recovery tank, but be careful
not to spill
it.
A CAUTION:
W
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.
6-28
ProCarManuals.com

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.
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
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.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow
of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an
AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
6-29
ProCarManuals.com

Adding Washer Fluid
Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid until the
tank is full.
NOTICE:
0
0
0
0
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
Don’t mix water with ready-to-use washer
fluid. Water can cause the solution to freeze
and damage your washer fluid tank and
other parts
of the washer system. Also,
water doesn’t clean as well as washer fluid.
Fill your washer fluid tank only
three-quarters full when it’s very cold. This
allows for expansion
if freezing occurs,
which could damage the tank if it is
completely full. Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
windshield washer.
It can damage your
washer system and paint.
6-31
ProCarManuals.com

I Short TripKity Maintenance Schedule -- Gasoline Engines I
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid andfilter do not require changing.
0 Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation
(Pcv) valve.
An Emission Control Service.
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every 60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant’’ in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test cooling
system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
DATE SERVICED BY: ACTUAL MILEAGE
ProCarManuals.com

100,000 Miles (I 66 000 km) (Continued)
- In hilly or mountainous terrain.
- When doing frequent trailer towing.
- Uses such as found in taxi, police or
delivery service.
If you do not use your vehicle under any of these
conditions, the fluid andfilter do not require changing.
Inspect Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV)
valve.
An Emission Control Service.
DATE
SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
0 Drain, flush and refill cooling system
(or every
60 months since last service,
whichever occurs first). See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
pressure cap and neck. Pressure test the
cooling system and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
DATE SERVICED BY ACTUAL MILEAGE
ProCarManuals.com

Part C: Periodic Maintenance
Inspections
Listed below are inspections and services which should
be performed at least twice a year (for instance, each
spring and fall). You should let your GM dealer’s
service department or other qualified service center do
these jobs. Make sure any necessary repairs are
completed at once.
Proper procedures to perform these services may be
found in a GM service manual. See “Service and Owner
Publications” in the Index.
Steering and Suspension Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension and steering
system for damaged, loose or missing parts, signs
of
wear or lack of lubrication. Inspect the power steering
lines and hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks,
cracks, chafing, etc.
Exhaust System Inspection
Inspect the complete exhaust system. Inspect the body
near the exhaust system. Look for broken, damaged,
missing or out-of-position parts as well as open seams,
holes, loose connections or other conditions which could
cause a heat build-up in the floor pan or could let
exhaust fumes into the vehicle. See “Engine Exhaust” in
the Index.
Radiator and Heater Hose Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they are
cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
fittings and clamps; replace as needed.
Throttle Linkage Inspection
Inspect the throttle linkage for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts as
needed. Replace any cables that have high effort or
excessive wear.
Do not lubricate accelerator and cruise
control cables.
7-47
ProCarManuals.com