1993 BUICK PARK AVENUE engine coolant

I A CAUTION:
An electric 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.
. .” P
The coolant level should be at or above “FULL COLD.”
If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump
or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
I I
A CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
I
Engine damage? Il’onl I mning bUrlr engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warrbllr
If there seems to be no leak, check to see if the electric
engine fans are running. If the engine
is overheating,
both fans should be running. If they aren’t, your vehicle
needs service.
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How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery
Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level In cold weather, water can free
isn’t at or above “FULL COLD,” add a 50/50 mixture
of clean water (preferably distilled) and the proper
antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine
Coolant’’ in the Index for more information about the
proper coolant mix.)
I A CAUTION:
I Adding plain water to your cooling system can
be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid
like alcohol, can boll befare the proper coolant
mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning system
is set for the groper coolant mix. With plain water
.of the wrung 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 Glean water and a
proper antifreeze.
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A CAUTION: A CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill cootant 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 or
above
“FULL COLD,” 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.
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 pressure cap when
e 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.
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4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to “FULL
COLD.”
6. Start the engine and
let it run until you
can feel the upper
radiator hose
getting hot. Watch
out for the engine
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
mix through the filler neck until
the level reaches the top
of the filler neck.
5. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave
the radiator pressure cap off.
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I
Here you will find information about the care of your Buick . This part 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 section devoted to its appearance care
.
Part 6 includes:
ServiceTips
......................................................................
Engineoil ....................................................................... \
242
Fuel
........................................................................\
..... 243
Hood Release 248
251
AirFilter
........................................................................\
. 255
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
...........................................................
Enginecoolant .................................................................... 258
PowerSteeringFluid
............................................................... 261
Windshield Washer Fluid
............................................................ 262
Brakes
........................................................................\
... 263
Battery
........................................................................\
... 265
266
268
270
278
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
.................................................. 286
Fuses .and Circuit Breakers
........................................................... 287
Capacities and Specifications
.......................................................... 292
.....................................................................
256
BulbReplacement
.................................................................
LoadingYourVehicle ...............................................................
Tires ........................................................................\
....
Appearancecare ..................................................................
241
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A CAUTION:
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
I underhood electric fan. I
A CAUTION:
1
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.
-- I
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on
properly. Then just pull the hood down and close it
firmly.
3800 V6 Supercharged Engine
Your Park Avenue Ultra has a 3800 V6 Supercharged
engine. Buick chose supercharging rather than
turbocharging because Buick emphasizes smooth,
refined power.
The Supercharger is a device which is designed
to pump
more air into the engine than it would normally use.
This air mixed with fuel, creates increased engine
power. Since the Supercharger is a pump and
is driven
from an engine accessory drive belt, increased pressure
is available at all driving conditions.
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The powertrain control module (PCM), works with a
vacuum control to regulate the increased pressure
required during specific driving conditions. When this
increased pressure or boost, is not desired such as during
idling and light throttle cruising, the excess air that the
Supercharger is pumping is routed through a bypass. All
of these controls, working together provide high
performance character and fuel efficiency in the
3800
V6 Supercharged Buick engine.
The power steering pump uses a remote reservoir
mounted on the throttle and cruise control cable bracket.
See “Maintenance Schedule’’ in the Index for when you
should check the fluid.
The supercharged
3800 engine uses two accessory drive
belts. One belt drives the generator and the power
steering pump. The second belt drives the supercharger,
coolant pump and air conditioning compressor. Each
belt has
its own tensioner and idler pulley. See
“Maintenance Schedule’’ in the Index for when you
should check the accessory drive belts and supercharger
oil level. Have your dealer check the oil level in the
supercharger.
Engine Oil
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you
get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must
be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.
The engine oil dipstick is
directly behind the engine
fan. Turn
off the engine and
give the oil a few minutes
to get back down into the
oil pan. If you don’t, the oil
dipstick might not &ow the
actual level.
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2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and
then pull it back out again.
3. Check both sides of the dipstick, and read the lower
level. The fluid level must be in the cross-hatched
area.
4. If the fluid level is where it should be, push the
dipstick back
in all the way.
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, It
doesn’t take much fluid, generally less than a
pint. Don’t overfill. We recommend
you use only fluid
labeled DEXRONWIE, because
fluids with that label
are made especially for your automatic transaxle.
Damage caused by fluid other than DEXRONB-IIE is
not covered by your new vehicle warranty.
0 After adding fluid, recheck the fluid level as
described under “How to Check.”
When the correct fluid level is obtained, push the
dipstick back
in all the way.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling system and how to
add coolant when
it is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in the
Index.
The proper coolant for your Buick will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37 “C) .
0 Give boiling protection up to 262 F ( 128 ” C) .
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning lights work as they should.
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