engine PONTIAC PONTIAC 1996 Repair Manual

If your vehicle is certified to meet California Emission
Standards (indicated on the underhood tune-up label),
it is designed to operate on fuels that meet California
specifications. If such fuels are not available in states
adopting California emissions standards, your vehicle
will operate satisfactorily on fuels meeting federal
specifications, but emission control system performapce
may be affected. The malfunction indicator lamp on
your instrument panel may
turn on and/or your vehicle
may fail a smog-check test. If this occurs, return to your
authorized Pontiac dealer for diagnosis to determine the
cause of failure. In the event it is determined that the
cause of the condition
is the type of fuels used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
In Canada, some gasolines contain an octane enhancing
additive called MMT. If you use such fuels, your
emission control system performance may deteriorate
and the malfunction indicator lamp on your instrument
panel may turn on. If this happens, return to your
authorized Pontiac dealer for service. and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines
may
be
available in your area to help clean the air. General
Motors recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
NOTICE:
Your vehicle was not designed for fuel that
contains methanol. 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.
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines are now required to
contain additives that will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine
and fuel system, allowing your
emission control system to function properly. Therefore,
you should not have to add anything to the fuel. In
addition, gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
6-3
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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)
6-8
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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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Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are
on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close
it firmly.
Engine Oil
I
LOW OIL
LEVEL
If the LOW OIL LEVEL
light on the instrument
panel comes on, it means
you need to check your
engine oil level right away.
3.1L L82 Engine 3.4L LQl Engine
For .more information, see
“Low Oil Level Light” in‘ the
Index. You should check
your engine oil level regularly;
this is
an added reminder.
It’s
a good idea to check your engine oil after you get
fuel.
In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be
hot
and the vehicle must be on level ground, I-
The engine oil dipstick handle is the yellow loop near
the front of the engine.
Turn off the engine and give the oil 20 minutes to drain
back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick might
not
show the actual level.
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Checking Engine Oil When to Add Oil
Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or If the oil is at or below the lower mark, then you’ll
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again, need to add some oil. But you must use the right
keeping the tip down, and check the level. kind. This part explains what kind
of oil to use.-For
crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications”
in the Index.
NOTICE:
Don’t, add too much oil. If your engine has so
much oil that the oil level gets above the
cross-hatched area that shows the proper
operating range,
your engine could be damaged.
3.1 L L82 Engine 3.4L LQ1 Engine
6-11
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3.1L L82 Engine 3.4L LQl Engine
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
properoperating range. Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
What Kind of Oil to Use
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol.
This symbol
indicates that the
oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute (MI). Do not use any oil which
does not
carry this Starburst symbol.
k
If you change your own oil,
be sure
you use oil that has
the Starburst symbol
on the
front of the oil container.
If you
have your oil changed for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is American Petroleum Institute
certified
for gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle,
as shown in the following chart:
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I RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
I SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
HOT
WEATHER
"F
100
+ 80
+ 60
+ 40
0-
7 "C
t 38
+ 27
+ 16
t4
-I
- 18
COLD
4
LOOK
FOR MIS
SYMBOL
L
lllL SAE 1OW-30
SAL 5W-30 PREFERRED
I WEATHER
00 NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3.1L engine,
SAE 5W-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use
SfS 1OW-30 if it's going to be 0°F (-18°C) or
above. These numbers on
an oil container'show its
viscosity,
or thickness. Do not use.other viscosity oils,
such as
SAE 20W-50.
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RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY GRADE ENGINE OILS
FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST
SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.
FOR THlS
SYMBOL ‘3
HOT
WEATHER y
“F
t 100-
+ 80 -
+ell-
+40-
t 20 -
0-
7
“C
+ 38
+ 27
+ 16
. +4
.-7
- 18
WEATHER
SaE 5w-30
I I
SAE lMIy-30 PREFERBED above 0°F (-18T)
DO NOT USE SAE 2OW-50 OR ANY OTHER
GRADE OIL NOT RECOMMENDED
As shown in the chart, if you have the 3.4L engine,
SAE 1OW-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can
use
SAE 5w-30 if it’s going to be colder than 60°F
( 16 O C) before your next oil change. When it’s very cold,
you should use
SAE 5W-30. These numbers on an oil
container show its viscosity, or thickness.
Do not use
other viscosity oils, such as SAE 20W-50.
NOTICE:
Use only engine oil with the American Petroleum
Institute Certified For Gasoline
Engines
“Starburst” symbol. Failure to use the
recommended oil
can result in engine damage
not covered by
yom warranty.
L
GM Goodwrench@ oil meets all the requirements for
your vehicle.
Engine Oil Additives
Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Pontiac dealer .is
ready to advise if you think something should be added.
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When to Change Engine Oil
See if any one of these is true for you:
0
a
a
a
a
Most trips are less than 5 to 10 miles (8 to 16 km).
This is particularly important when outside
temperatures are below freezing.
Most trips include extensive idling (such as frequent
driving
in stop-and-go traffic).
Most trips are through dusty areas.
You frequently tow a trailer or use a carrler on top of
your vehicle.
The vehicle is used for delivery service, police, taxi
or other commercial application.
5
i
Driving under these conditions causes engine oil to
break down sooner. If any one of these is true for your
vehicle, then you need to change your oil and filter
every
3,000 miles (5 000 km) or 3 months -- whichever
occurs first.
If none of them
is true, change the oil and filter every
7,5080 miles (12 500 km) or 12 months -- whichever
occurs first. Driving a vehicle with a fully warmed
engige mder highway conditions causes engine oil to
break down slower.
What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
elements that may
be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don't let used oil stay on .your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or'a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer's warnings about the use and disposal
of oil products.)
.;4;-". ; ' '*?-
Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you
change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil.
from the filter before disposal. Don't ever dispose of oil
by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle
it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. Lf
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or
a local recycling
center for help.
?&-.;.';z ;a
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