engine PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1993 Repair Manual

Problems on the Road
i '. 'k
I Engine Overheating (CONT.)
Steam and scalding liquids
From a hot cooling system can
3w out and burn you badly. They
ale under pressure, and if you turn
I thl= radiator pressure cap-even a
tle-they can come out at high
I eed. Never turn the pressure cap
when the cooling system, including
the radiator pressure cap,
is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool if you
ever have to turn. the pressure cap.
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 to
the left
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.
ProCarManuals.com

Problems on the Road
I Engine Overheating (CONT.)
6. Start the engine and let it run until
you can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the engine
fan.
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 mix through the filler neck
until the level reaches the base of the
filler neck.
8. Then replace the pressure cap. Be
sure the arrows on the pressure cap
line up like this.
Ifa Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out”
while you’re driving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to
leak out slowly. But
if you should ever 1
have a “blowout:’ here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will
create a drag that pulls
the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the steering
wheel firmly. Steer
to maintain lane
position,
then gently brake to a stop well
out of the traffic lane.
ProCarManuals.com

I CAUTION
If you let your tires spin at
high speed, they can explode
and you or others could be injured.
And, the transaxle or other parts of
the vehicle can overheat. That
could cause an engine compartment
fire or other damage. When you're
stuck, spin the wheels as little as
possible. Don't spin the wheels above
35 mph (56 km/h) as shown
on the speedometer. Spinning your wheels can destroy
parts
of your vehicle as well as the
tires. If you spin the wheels too
fast while shifting your transaxle
back and forth, you can destroy
your transaxle.
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and
right. That will clear the area around
your front wheels. Then shift back and
forth between
R (Reverse) and a
forward gear, spinning the wheels as
little as possible. Release the accelerator
pedal while you shift, and press lightly
on
the accelerator pedal when the
transaxle is in gear. If that doesn't get
you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be
towed out, see the
Index under Towing
Your Pontiac.
ProCarManuals.com

Part 6
I .
COO25
Here you will find information
about the care of your Pontiac
. This
part begins with service and fuel
information. and then it
shows how
to check important fluid and
lubricant levels
. There is also
technical information about your
vehicle. and
a section devoted to its
appearance care
.
Service G Appearance Care
Service ............................. .................. 222
Fuel
......................................................... 222
Engineoil
...................................................... 231
HoodRelease
.................................................... 227
Aircleaner
..................................................... 233
TransaxleFluid
.................................................. 236
Enginecoolant
.................................................. 238
Power Steering Fluid
.............................................. 242
Windshield Washer Fluid
........................................... 242
Bulb Replacement
.............................................. 246
Loading Your Vehicle
............................................. 248
Appearance Care
................................................. 257
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
................................. 264
Add-on Electrical Equipment
....................................... 265
Fuses
& Circuit Breakers ........................................... 266
Capacities
& Specifications ......................................... 270
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts
............................... 271
Fluids
& Lubricants ............................................... 272
Replacement Bulbs
................................................ 273
Brakes
......................................................... 243
Battery
.......................................................... 245
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
...................... ....... 248
Tires
.......................................................... 250
221 ...
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
AC’
Service
Your Pontiac dealer knows your vehicle
best and wants you to be happy with
it.
We hope you’ll go to your dealer for all
your service needs. You’ll get genuine
GM parts and GM-trained and
supported service people.
We hope you’ll want to keep your
GM
vehicle all GM. Genuine GM parts have
one of these marks.
Doing Your Own Service Work
If you want to do some of your own
service work, you’ll want to get the
proper Pontiac Service Manual. It
tells you much more about how to service
your Pontiac than this manual can. To
order the proper service manual, see the
Index under Service Publications.
You should keep a record with all parts
receipts and list the mileage and date
of
any service work you perform. See the
Index under Maintenance Record.
I
I You can be injured if you try
to do service work on a
vehicle without knowing enough
about
it.
Be sure you ha! - uffcient
I
knowledge, experience, and the
proper replacement
parts and
tools before you attempt any
vehicle maintenance task.
Be sure to use the proper nuts,
bolts, and other fasteners.
“English” and “metric” fasteners
can be easily confused. If you
use the wrong Edsteners, parts
can later break or fall off. You
could be hup
r
If you try to do service work
without knowing enough about
it,
your vehicle could be damaged.
Fuel
The eighth digit of your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) shows the
code letter for your engine.
You will
find the VIN at the top left
of your
instrument panel. (See the
Index under
&hide Identljication Number-.)
3800 Engine (Code L):
Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at
87 octane or higher. It should meet
specifications
ASTM D4814 in the U.S.
and
CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These
fuels should have the proper additives,
so you should not have to add anything
to the fuel.
m.. 222
ProCarManuals.com

[n the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be
sure you get the right kind of gasoline
‘unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED”
Pight on the pump. And only unleaded
aozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler
neck.
Be sure the posted octane is at least
87.
[f the octane is less than 87, you may get
1 heavy knocking noise when you drive.
[fit’s bad enough, it can damage your
:ngine.
[f you’re using fuel rated at 87 octane or
nigher and you still hear heavy
knocking, your engine needs service.
But don’t worry if you hear a little
inging noise when you’re accelerating
3r driving up a hill. That’s normal, and
vou don’t have to buy a higher octane
Fuel to get rid of pinging. It’s the heavy,
:onstant knock that means you have a
xoblem. specifications
ASTM D4814
in the U.S.
and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These
fuels should have the proper additives,
so you should not have to add anything
to the fuel.
In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be
sure you get the right kind of gasoline
(unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED”
right on the pump. And only unleaded
nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler
neck.
Be sure the posted octane is at least 91.
If the octane is less than 91, you may get
a heavy knocking noise when you drive.
(In an emergency, you may be able to
use lower octane-as low as 87-if
heavy knocking does not occur.) If
you’re using 91 or higher octane
unleaded gas and you still get heavy
knocking, your engine needs service.
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl
ether:’ Fuel that is no more than
15 %
MTBE is fine for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol.
Properly-blended fuel that is no more
than
10% ethanol is fine for your
vehicle.
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
:#el (CONTI
Fuel that is more than 5 %
methanol is bad for your vehicle.
Don’t use it. It can corrode metal
parts
in your fuel system and also
damage plastic and rubber parts.
That damage wouldn’t be covered
under your warranty. And even at
5% or less, there must be
“cosolvents” and corrosion
preventers
in this fuel to help avoid
these problems.
bel Capacity: 18 U.S. Gallons (68 L).
Ise unleaded fuel only.
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with detergent
additives will help prevent deposits from
forming
in your engine and fuel system.
That helps keep your engine in tune and
your emission control system working
properly. It’s good for your vehicle, and
you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with
materials called oxygenates. General
Motors recommends that you use
gasolines with these blending materials, such as MTBE and ethanol. By doing
so, you can help clean the air, especially
in those pa@ of the country that have
high carbon monoxide levels. In
addition, some gasoline suppliers are
now producing reformulated gasolines.
These gasolines are specially designed
to reduce vehicle emissions. General
Motors recommends that you use
reformulated gasoline. By doing
so, you
can help clean the air, especially in
those parts of the country that have high
ozone levels.
You should ask your service station
operators
if their gasolines contain
detergents and oxygenates, and if they
have been reformulated to reduce
vehicle emissions.
ProCarManuals.com

Fuels in Foreign Countries
tf you plan on driving in another
country outside the
U.S. or Canada,
unleaded fuel may be hard to find.
Do not use leaded gasoline. If you use
even one tankful, your emission controls
won’t work well or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get
fouled, the exhaust system can corrode,
and your engine oil can deteriorate
quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor
will be damaged. All of that means
costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty. To
check on fuel availability, ask an auto
club, or contact a major oil company
that does business in the country where
you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following
address for advice. Just tell us where
you’re going and give your Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors
of Canada Ltd.
International
Export Sales
P. 0. Box 828
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7N1, Canada
Fuel Door Lock (omoN)
On SSE and SSEi models equipped with
the Theft-Deterrent System option,
the
fuel door is locked and unlocked
together with the power door locks.
Therefore, to unlock the fuel filler door,
you may use the outside door key lock,
the inside power door lock button, or
the Remote Keyless Entry key chain
transmitter.
To unlock the fuel door, just
unlock the driver’s door.
225
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
Hood Release (CONT.)
Then go to the front of the vehicle and
pull up on the underhood release.
Lift the hood.
Dm. 228
I
I GAUTION I I 11
Qr
An electric fim under the hood
can start up and injure you
even when the engine is not
running. Keep hands, clothing and
tools away from any underhood
electric fan.
lefore closing the hood, be sure all the
Her caps are on properly. Then
just
ull the hood down and close it firmly.
hderhood light
bur parking lights or headlights must
le on for the underhood light to
unction when you open the hood.
ProCarManuals.com

3800 Engine (CODE L)
When you open the hood, you’ll see:
1. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
2. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
3. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
4. Brake Fluid Reservoir
5. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6. Air Cleaner
7. Engine Oil Dipstick
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap
9. Radiator Pressure Cap
1 0. Battery
229
ProCarManuals.com