1993 PONTIAC GRAND-AM engine coolant

Problems on the Road
Engine Overheating (CONTJ
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank:
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but
the coolant level isn’t at or above
FULL
COLD, add a 50/50 mixture of clean
water
(preferably distilled) and a proper
antifreeze at the coolant surge
tank, but
be sure the cooling system, including
the coolant surge
tank pressure cap, is
cool before
you do it. (See the Index
under Engine Coolant for more
information about the proper coolant
mix.)
182
L Steam and scalding liquids
L from a hot cooling system can
blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn
cap-evm a little-they can come
out at high speed. Never turn the
pressure cap when the cooliag
tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for
the cooling system and coolant
you ever have to turn the pmsure
MP.
the coolant surge tank pressure
system, including the COoIant surge
surge tank pressure cap to cool if
Adding only plain water to
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 a proper
antifreeze.
k your cooling system can be I
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NOTICE
A
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.
1. You can remove the coolant surge
tank pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant surge
tank pressure cap and upper radiator
hose, is no longer hot. Turn the
pressure cap slowly about
?A turn to
the left and then stop.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop.
A hiss means there is still some pressure
left.
183 .
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Problems on the Road
,
Engine Overheating (CONT.)
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, and remove it.
Once the pressure cap is
off, look
inside the surge
tank opening and
look for a small cylinder at the base
of the opening. This should be
covered with coolant. If the cylinder
is uncovered, the coolant in your
system is low.
184
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the
proper mix, up to
FULL COLD, or
just above the small cylinder at the
base of the opening.
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure
cap off,
start the engine and let it run
until you can feel the upper radiator
hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside
the coolant surge
tank may be lower.
If the level is lower, add more
of the
proper mix to
the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches F'ULL COLD,
or just above the small cylinder at the
base
of the opening.
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Part 6
... N604
Here you will find information
about the care of your Pontiac
. 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
.
Service & Appearance Care
Service ................ .................................. 198
Fuel
........................................................... 199
HoodRelease .................................................... 205
Engineoil
...................................................... 209
Aircleaner
...................................................... 214
Transaxle Fluid
.................................................. 216
Engine Coolant
.................................................. 221
Power Steering Fluid
.............................................. 224
Windshield Washer Fluid
........................................... 224
Brakes
......................................................... 225
Battery
......................................................... 227
BulbReplacement
................................................ 228
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
................................. 230
Loading Your Vehicle
............................................. 230
Tires
.......................................................... 232
Appearancecare
................................................. 239
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
................................. 247
Add-on Electrical Equipment
....................................... 248
Fuses
& Circuit Breakers ........................................... 248
Capacities
& Specifications ......................................... 251
Fluids
& Lubricants ............................................... 253
Replacement Bulbs
............................................... 254
Normal Maintenance Replacement
Parts ............................. 257
197
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Service & Appearance Care
Hood Release (CONT.)
~1 CAUTION
An electric fan under the hood 1
IhlUlll 0
A
Things that burn can get
hot engine parts and start a
can start up and injure you fire. These include liquids like
even when the engine is not gasoline, oil, coolant, brake fluid,
running. Keep hands, clothing and windshield washer and other
tools away from any underhood fluids, and plastic or rubber. You
or others could be burned. Be
careful not to drop or spill things
that will burn onto a Rot engine,
I’
Before closing the hood, be sure all the
filler caps are on properly. Then lift the
hood to relieve pressure on the hood
prop. Remove the hood prop from the slot in the hood and return the prop to
its retainer. Then just let the hood down
and close
it firmly.
... 206
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2.3L Quad OHC and Quad 4
Engines (CODES 3, D AND A)
When you open the hood, you'll see:
1 . Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
2. Brake Fluid Reservoir
3. Air Cleaner
4. Hydraulic Clutch Fluid Reservoir
5. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6. Battery
7. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
8. Engine Oil Fill Cap, Engine Oil
9. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
(if equipped)
(if equipped)
Dipstick
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Service & Appearance Care
208
3300 V6 Engine (CODE N)
When you open your hood, you’ll see:
1. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
2. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
3. Brake Fluid Reservoir
4. Air Cleaner
5. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
6. Battery
7. Engine Oil Fill Cap
8. Engine Oil Dipstick
9. Engine Coolant Surge Tank
(if equipped)
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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 the
Index under
Engine Overheating.
The proper coolant for your Pontiac
will:
Give freezing protection down to
Give boiling protection up to 262°F
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
-34°F (-37°C).
(128°C).
temperature.
Let the warning
should. lights work as they
What to Use:
Use
a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification
1825-M,” which won’t damage
aluminum parts. You can
also use a
recycled coolant conforming to GM
Specification 1825-M with a complete
coolant flush and refill. If you use this
mixture, you don’t need to add anything
else.
CAUTION I
A Adding only plain water ta
L pur cooling system can be
dangerous. Plain water, or some
other liquid like alcohol, can boil
bebe the proper coolant mix will.
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 a proper
antifreeze.
Your v&hicle’s coolant warning
221 .
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