radiator OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE 1997 Owners Manual

When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:
A. Radiator Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Fan
C. Coolant Recovery Tank If
the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until it cools down.
The coolant level should be at or above the
FULL HOT
mark.
If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator
hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.
An electric 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.
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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 mix. 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.
When
the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or
above
the FULL HOT mark, start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more
thing you can
try. You can add the proper coolant mix
directly to the radiator but be sure the cooling system is
cool before you do it.
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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 radiator
pressure cap
-- even a little -- they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and the
radiator pressure cap to cool
if you ever have to
turn the pressure cap.
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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.
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3. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL" mix,
up to the base of the filler neck.
4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the FULL
HOT mark.
5. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap
off.
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6. Start the eng~ne and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fans.
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
DEX-COOL" coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the level reaches the
base of the filler neck.
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.
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Nhen you lift the hood, you’ll see these items:
A. Underhood Fuse and Relay Center
B. Remote Positive Terminal
C. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
D. Radiator Pressure Cap
E. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
F. Engine Oil Fill Location
G. Engine Oil Dipstick
H. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
I. Brake Master Cylinder
J. Air Cleancr
K. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
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L
NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you
use
DEX-COOL TM (silicate-free) coolant.
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.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half DEX-COOL
TM (silicate-free)
antifreeze 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.
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 (silicate-free) antifreeze.
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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 retailer 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
The engine coolant reservoir is located on the urlver s
side of the vehicle, above the air cleaner.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be
at
FULL COLD, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should be up to FULL HOT, or a
little higher.
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If this light comes on, it
means you're low on
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL"
mix ut the coolant recovery tmk.
A CAUTION:
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
mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to spill
it.
I 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.
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