engine coolant PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2007 Owner's Manual

Overheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode
The overheated engine protection operating mode
allows the vehicle to be driven to a safe place in an
emergency situation. If an overheated engine
condition exists, this protection mode alternates
ring groups of cylinders to help prevent engine
damage. In this mode, there will be a signicant
loss in power and engine performance. The engine
coolant temperature gage indicator will move to the
shaded area, and the engine coolant temperature
warning light will come on, showing that an
overheated engine condition exists. Driving
extended miles (km) and/or towing a trailer in the
overheated engine protection mode should be
avoided.
Notice:After driving in the overheated engine
protection operating mode, to avoid engine
damage, allow the engine to cool before
attempting any repair. The engine oil will be
severely degraded. Repair the cause of coolant
loss, change the oil and reset the oil life system.
SeeEngine Oil on page 350.
Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is
what you will see:
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fan(s)
C. Pressure Cap
3800 V6 Supercharged Engine shown,
3800 V6 Engine similar
366

A. Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
{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, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant recovery tank is located in the
rear of the engine compartment on the
passenger’s side of the vehicle on the 3800 V6
engines. The coolant recovery tank on the 5.3L V8
engine is located in the rear of the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle,
behind the engine air cleaner/lter.
5.3L V8 Engine
367

When the engine is cold, the coolant level should
be at or above the cold ll line on the coolant
recovery tank. To check the coolant level, look for
the cold ll line on the side of the coolant
recovery tank that faces the engine. If the level is
not correct, there may be 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(s) are running. If the engine is overheating,
the fan(s) should be running. If the fan(s) are not
running, the vehicle needs service.
Notice:Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant is not covered by your
warranty. SeeOverheated Engine Protection
Operating Mode on page 366for information on
driving to a safe place in an emergency.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant could require changing sooner, at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs rst. Any repairs would not
be covered by your warranty. Always use
DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free) coolant in your
vehicle.
368

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
{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 DEX-COOL
®coolant.If you have not found a problem yet, but the
coolant level is not at the cold ll line, add a
50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®engine coolant at the coolant
recovery tank. SeeEngine Coolant on page 360
for more information.
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.
369

When the coolant level in the coolant recovery
tank is at the cold ll line, start the vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there is one
more thing you can try. You can add the proper
coolant mixture directly to the radiator, but be sure
the system is cool before you do it.
{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 pressure cap — even a
little — they can come out at high speed.
Never turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and pressure
cap to cool if you ever have to turn the
pressure cap.
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
(3800 V6 Engines)
Notice:Your engine has a specic radiator ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure
could cause your engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
1. You can remove the pressure cap when the
cooling system, including the pressure cap
and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn
the cap slowly counterclockwise.
3800 V6 Supercharged Engine shown,
3800 V6 Engine similar
370

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 and
remove it.
{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.3. Remove the Series III V6 engine cover shield
to access the bleed valve.
3.1. Clean the area around the engine oil ll
tube and cap before removing. Twist
the oil ll tube, with cap attached,
counterclockwise and remove it.
3800 V6 Engine
371

3.2. Lift the engine cover shield at the front,
slide the catch tab out of the engine
bracket and remove the cover shield.
3.3. Put the oil ll tube, with cap attached, in
the valve cover oil ll hole until you are
ready to replace the cover shield.4. After the engine
cools, open the
coolant air bleed
valve located on the
thermostat housing
near the upper
radiator hose.
3800 V6 Supercharged Engine
Thermostat Housing
372

5. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture, up to the base of the ller
neck. SeeEngine Coolant on page 360
for more information about the proper coolant
mixture.
If you see a stream of coolant coming from the
air bleed valve, close the valve. Otherwise,
close the valve after the radiator is lled.6. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the
engine and the compartment.
7. Replace the 3800 Series III V6 engine cover
shield.
7.1. Remove the oil ll tube, with cap
attached, from the valve cover.
7.2. Insert the catch tab on the cover shield
under the bracket on the engine.
7.3. Place the hole in the cover shield over
the hole in the valve cover. Install oil ll
tube and cap by twisting clockwise.
8. Then ll the coolant recovery tank to the cold
ll line.
9. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery
tank, but leave the pressure cap off.
3800 V6 Supercharged Engine shown,
3800 V6 Engine similar
373

10. Start the engine and let it run until you can
feel the upper radiator hose getting hot.
Watch out for the engine cooling fan(s).
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the
radiator ller neck may be lower. If the level is
lower, add more of the proper DEX-COOL
®
coolant mixture through the ller neck until the
level reaches the base of the ller neck.12. Then replace the pressure cap. At any time
during this procedure if coolant begins to ow
out of the ller neck, reinstall the pressure
cap. Be sure the pressure cap is hand-tight
and fully seated.
13. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The
level in the coolant recovery tank should be
at the cold ll line when the engine is cold.
How to Add Coolant to the Cooling
System (5.3L V8 Engine)
Notice:Your engine has a specic cooling
system drain and ll procedure. Failure
to follow this procedure could cause your
engine to overheat and be severely damaged.
If your engine’s cooling system needs to
be drained and re-lled, please see your dealer.
3800 V6 Supercharged Engine shown,
3800 V6 Engine similar
374

You can remove the
pressure cap when the
cooling system,
including the pressure
cap and upper
radiator hose is no
longer hot. Turn
the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise.
1. If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss
means that there is still some pressure left.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap to remove
the pressure cap.
{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.3. Fill the cooling system with the proper
DEX-COOL
®coolant mixture, up to the base
of the ller neck. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 360for more information about
the proper coolant mixture.
4. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the
engine and the compartment.
5. Then ll the coolant recovery tank to the cold
ll line.
6. Install the coolant recovery tank cap and the
pressure cap.
7. If the coolant in the recovery tank is constantly
low, you should have a dealership service
department inspect your vehicle for leaks.
375