radiator cap PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 1999 Owners Manual

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-12
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
H±45±0741±T
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
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 recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down.
H±45±0742±T

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-16
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 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
radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever have to
turn the pressure cap.
W±35±1020±S

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-17 How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
C±45±6704±T
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.
C±45±6705±T
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-18
C±45±6703±T
3. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL

coolant mixture, up to the base of the filler neck.
(See ªEngine Coolantº in the Index for more
information about the proper coolant mixture.)
H±45±0326±T
4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the
FULL COLD mark.
5. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap off.

First Edition for Pontiac Bonneville Owner's Manual ± 1999
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5-19
H±45±0329±T
6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling 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.
C±45±6706±T
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.

6-
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6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section 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 part devoted to its appearance care.
6
-2 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-6 Filling Your Tank
6
-9 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-9 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-13 Engine Oil
6
-17 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-20 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-23 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-24 Engine Coolant
6
-27 Power Steering Fluid
6
-28 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-29 Brakes
6
-32 Battery
6
-33 Bulb Replacement6
-43 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-44 Tires
6
-52 Appearance Care
6
-52 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-55 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-57 Cleaning Aluminum or Chrome-Plated
Wheels (If Equipped)
6
-57 Sheet Metal Damage
6
-59 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-60 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-61 Electrical System
6
-68 Replacement Bulbs
6
-69 Capacities and Specifications
6
-70 Air Conditioning Refrigerants
6
-70 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

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6-11 3800 Series II Engine (L36 - Code K)
When you open the hood, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant
Recovery Tank
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure CapD. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
F. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid DipstickG. Brake Master Cylinder
H. Air Cleaner
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

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6-12 3800 Supercharged Engine (L67 - Code 1) (If Equipped)
When you open the hood, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant
Recovery Tank
B. Battery
C. Radiator Pressure CapD. Engine Oil Dipstick
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
F. Automatic Transaxle
Fluid DipstickG. Brake Master Cylinder
H. Air Cleaner
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir

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6-23
If the fluid level is low, add only enough of the proper fluid to
bring the level into the cross
-hatched area on the dipstick.
1. Pull out the dipstick.
2. Using a long
-neck funnel, add enough fluid at the
dipstick hole to bring it to the proper level.
It doesn't take much fluid, generally less than one
pint (0.5 L). Don't overfill.
NOTICE:
We recommend you use only fluid labeled
DEXRON
-III, because fluid with that label is
made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON

-III is not covered by your new
vehicle warranty.
3. After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under ªHow to Check.º
4. When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back in all the way; then flip the handle
down to lock the dipstick in place. way; then press
the tab down to lock the dipstick in place. way.
Radiator Pressure Cap
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.

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6-26 Checking Coolant
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When your
engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the FULL
COLD mark or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level should be up to the FULL HOT mark or
a little higher.
If this LOW COOLANT
warning light comes on and
stays on, it means you're
low on engine coolant.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX
-COOL

coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank, but be
careful not to spill it.
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.