engine coolant PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996 User Guide

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 the
COLD 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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How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
I NOTICE:
~~
Your engine has a specific radiator fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure could cause your
engine to overheat and be severely damaged.
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.
If you hear a hiss, .wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until
it first stops. (Don't press down while turning the
pressure cap.)
I
Then keep turning
the pressure cap, but
now push down as
you
turn it. Remove the
pressure cap.
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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3. After the engine cools, open the coolant air bleed valve.
I 3.4L V6 (VIN Code X):
There are two bleed valves.
They
are located on the
thermostat
housing and
heater inlet pipe. The
.thermostat location is
shown here.
3.1L V6 (VIN Code M): There are two bleed valves.
One is located on the thermostat housing. The other is
located on the thermostat bypass tube.
i
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4. Fill the radiator with the
proper
mix, up to the
base of the filler neck.
If you see a stream
of ,
coolant co.ming from an
air bleed valve, close the
valve. Otherwise, close
the valves after the
radiator
is filled.
5. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and compartmept.
6. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the
7. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
COLD mark.
leave the radiator pressure cap off.
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8. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch
out for the
engine fans.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank
should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.
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When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you €ully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed. This would
allow he1 to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
"Malfunction Indicator
Lamp" in the Index.
NOTICE:
I€ you need a new cap, be sue to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for
you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit or have proper
venting, and
your fuel t&-@nd gmissions system
might be damaged. . ...._ ,. . 4.~*,-.:~7F4c:> i,,:;:r'.&:;.., I 5 .v,<. " 52;:. .' , "" $g7!fnt ,,
Checking Things Under the Hood
An electric fan 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.
Things
that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and "
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
~ ~~~
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When you lift the hood of the 3.1L L82 engine, you’ll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Radiator Fill Cap
C. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E. Engine Oil Dipstick
E Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir
H. Air Cleaner
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
J. Battery (located under
Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir)
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When you lift the hood of the 3.4L LQl engine, you’ll see:
1
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Radiator Fill Cap
C. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap E.
Engine Oil Dipstick
F. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir
H. Air Cleaner
I. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
J. Battery (located under
Windshield
Washer
Fluid Reservoir)
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How to Add Fluid
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of transaxle fluid to use. See “Recommended
Fluids
and Lubricants” in the Index.
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
It doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a pint
(0.5 L). Don’t oveflll. We recommend you use only
fluid /labeled DEXRON@-HI, because fluid with that
label
is made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than
DEXRON-111 is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
0 When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick hole to bring
it to the
proper level.
described under “How to Check.”
dipstick
back in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed
to remain in your
vehicle for 5 years or 100,000 miles (166 000 km), ,
whichever occurs first.
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when it is low.
If you have a problem with
engine overheating or
if you need to add coolant to your
radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Pontiac will:
0
0
0
0
0
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°C).
Protect against rust
and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights lights and gages work as
they should.
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NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
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 (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets GM Specification
6277M, 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 (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
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