engine overheat SATURN L-SERIES 2004 User Guide

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixtureat the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-26
for instructions on “How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank.”
{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.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
If you replace your coolant surge tank pressure cap, a
Saturn cap is required.
Engine Overheating
You will nd a coolant temperature gage and a coolant
temperature warning light on your vehicle’s instrument
panel. SeeEngine Coolant Temperature Gage on
page 3-33andEngine Coolant Temperature Warning
Light on page 3-32. You will also nd a low coolant level
warning light on your vehicle’s instrument panel. See
Low Coolant Warning Light on page 3-33.
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If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can burn
you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay
away from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it. Just turn it off and get
everyone away from the vehicle until it cools
down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or
coolant before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re. You
or others could be badly burned. Stop your
engine if it overheats, and get out of the
vehicle until the engine is cool.
Notice:If your engine catches re because you
keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle can
be badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
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If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An overheat warning, along with a low coolant light, can
indicate a serious problem. SeeLow Coolant Warning
Light on page 3-33.
If you get an engine overheat warning with no low
coolant light, but see or hear no steam, the problem may
not be too serious. Sometimes the engine can get a
little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer.If you get the overheat warning with no sign of steam,
try this for a minute or so:
1. If you have an air conditioner and it’s on, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. Try to minimize engine load. If you’re in a traffic
jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N); otherwise, shift to the
highest gear while driving.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can
drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about ten minutes.
If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive
normally.
If the warning continues and you have not stopped, pull
over, stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine
for three minutes while you’re parked. If you still
have the warning,turn off the engine and get everyone
out of the vehicleuntil it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service
help right away.
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The coolant level should be at the COLD line (surge
tank seam). If it is not, you may have a leak at 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 fans are running.
If the engine is overheating, both fans should be
running. If they are not, your vehicle needs service.
Turn off the engine.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.
Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion. In addition, the engine coolant may
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.
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How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:This vehicle has a specic coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet, check to see if
coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level isn’t at the FULL COLD mark, add a
50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable waterand DEX-COOL
®
coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap, is cool before you do it. SeeEngine
Coolant on page 5-23for more information.
{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 coolant
surge tank pressure cap — even a little — they
can come out at high speed.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Never turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system and coolant
surge tank pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
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{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.
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.
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Engine Identication
The 8th character in your VIN is the engine code. This
code will help you identify your engine, specications
and replacement parts.
Service Parts Identication Label
You’ll nd this label on your spare tire cover. It’s very
helpful if you ever need to order parts. On this label is:
your VIN,
the model designation,
paint information and
a list of all production options and special
equipment.
Be sure that this label is not removed from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Don’t add anything electrical to your vehicle
unless you check with your dealer rst. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working as they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to add anything electrical to your vehicle, see
Servicing Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-71.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit
breaker and a fuse. If the motor overheats due to heavy
snow or ice, the wiper will stop until the motor cools.
If the overload is caused by some electrical problem,
have it xed.
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E
Electrical System
Add-On Equipment......................................5-91
Fuses and Circuit Breakers...........................5-92
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-92
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-91
Emergency Trunk Release Handle (Sedan).........2-15
Emissions Inspection and Maintenance
Programs...................................................3-36
Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter.........................................5-20
Battery.......................................................5-39
Change Engine Oil Light...............................3-38
Check and Service Engine Soon Light............3-34
Coolant......................................................5-23
Coolant Heater............................................2-22
Coolant Temperature Gage...........................3-33
Coolant Temperature Warning Light................3-32
Drive Belt Routing.......................................6-14
Engine Compartment Overview......................5-12
Exhaust.....................................................2-31
Oil .............................................................5-16
Overheating................................................5-26
Reduced Power Light...................................3-38
Starting......................................................2-21
Engine Compartment Fuse Block......................5-95
Engine Cooling When Trailer Towing..................4-46
Engine Oil Additives........................................5-18
Entry Lighting.................................................3-15Event Data Recorders (EDR)............................. 7-8
Express-Down Window....................................2-17
Extender, Safety Belt.......................................1-35
Exterior Lamps...............................................3-13
F
Filter
Engine Air Cleaner......................................5-20
Finding a Station............................3-42, 3-45, 3-50
Finish Care....................................................5-86
Finish Damage...............................................5-88
Fixed Mast Antenna........................................3-73
Flash-to-Pass................................................... 3-7
Flat Tire........................................................5-69
Flat Tire, Changing.........................................5-70
Floor Console Fuse Blocks...............................5-92
Fluid
Automatic Transaxle.....................................5-23
Power Steering...........................................5-34
Windshield Washer......................................5-35
FM ...............................................................3-71
Fog Lamps....................................................3-14
Folding Rear Seat............................................ 1-8
Following Distance..........................................4-44
Fuel............................................................... 5-5
Additives...................................................... 5-7
California Fuel.............................................. 5-6
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