Page 153 of 274
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Problems on the Road 
F 
Cooling System 
When  you decide it’s safe  to lift the  hood, 
here’s  what  you’ll  see  on  the 
LT5 engine: 
1. Coolant recovery  tank 
2. Coolant  high fill reservoir  with 
3. Electric engine fans 
pressure cap 
. . -152 
If 
the coolant inside  the coolant  recovery 
tank  is boiling,  don’t do anything else 
until  it cools down. 
When  it is  cool, remove the coolant 
recovery  tank  cap and  look  at the dipstick. 
The coolant  level  should  be at or above 
“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 NOTICE: 
I 
Engine  damage  from  running  your 
engine  without  coolant  isn’t  covered 
by your  warranty. 
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.   
     
        
        Page 155 of 274
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Problems on the Road 
How  to Add Coolant  to  the  Coolant 
High 
Fill Reservoir - LT1 Only 
NOTICE: 
I 
The  LT1  engine (Code P) has a 
specific coolant  high  fill  reservoir 
fill  procedure.  Failure to follow  this 
procedure  could cause your engine to 
overheat  and  be severely  damaged. 
1. You can remove  the  coolant  high  fill 
reservoir pressure cap  when  the 
cooling system,  including the coolant 
high  fill reservoir  pressure  cap and 
upper  radiator  hose, 
is no longer hot.  Turn  the  pressure  cap  slowly  to 
the 
left  until 
it first  stops.  (Don't  press 
down  while  turning  the  pressure  cap.) 
If 
you hear  a hiss,  wait  for that  to  stop. 
A hiss  means  there  is  still  some 
pressure  left. 
. . .I54   
     
        
        Page 158 of 274
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine How to Add Coolant to the  Coolant 
High  Fill  Reservoir 
(5.7L LT5 (Code J) 
Engine) 
1. You  can  remove  the  coolant  high fill 
reservoir  pressure  cap  when  the 
cooling  system,  including  the coolant 
high  fill reservoir  pressure  cap 
and 
upper  radiator  hose,  is no  longer  hot. 
Turn  the  pressure  cap slowly  to the 
left  until  it first stops.  (Don’t  press 
down  while  turning  the  pressure cap.) 
If you  hear a hiss,  wait  for that to stop. 
A hiss  means  there  is still  some 
pressure  left. 
2. Then  keep turning  the  pressure  cap, 
but  now  push  down  as you  turn  it. 
Remove  the  pressure  cap. 3. Fill the coolant  high fill reservoir  with 
the  proper  mix,  up  to the base  of the 
filler  neck. 
157 ...   
     
        
        Page 159 of 274
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Problems  on the Road 
4. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to 
the  “HOT”  mark 
on the dipstick. 
5. Put  the cap  back  on the coolant 
recovery  tank,  but  leave 
the coolant 
high  fill reservoir  pressure cap 
off. 
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 coolant  high  fill reservoir  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. 
. . .158   
     
        
        Page 190 of 274

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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. 
NOTICE: 
If  you  use  an  improper  coolant mix, 
your  engine  could overheat  and  be 
badly  damaged.  The  repair  cost  wouldn’t  be  covered  by  your 
warranty. 
Too much  water in the  mix 
can  freeze  and  crack  the  engine, 
radiator,  heater core and other  parts. 
Adding Coolant 
I’o Check Coolant When  your  engine is 
;old,  check  the  dipstick  on the cap of the 
;oolant  recovery  tank.  The coolant level 
should  be  at “COLD,”  or a little higher. 
When  your  engine is warm,  the level  on 
the  dipstick  should  be  up  to “HOT,”  or a 
little  higher. 
Your  Corvette  also has a coolant high fill 
reservoir  located  at  the  right  rear of the 
engine  compartment. 
189 ...   
     
        
        Page 193 of 274
Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Service  and  Appearance  Care 
NOTICE: 
When  adding  power steering ,fluid or 
making  a  complete  fluid change, 
always  use  the  proper  fluid. Failure 
to  use  the  proper  fluid can cause 
leaks  and damage  hoses  and  seals. 
L 
Windshield  Washer  Fluid 
To Add: 
Open  the  cap labeled  “WASHER  FLUID 
ONLY.” Add washer  fluid  until  the bottle 
is  full. 
NOTICE: 
0 When  using  concentrated  washer 
fluid,  follow  the  manufacturer’s 
instructions  for adding  water. 
Don’t  mix  water  with 
ready-to-use  washer  fluid.  Water 
can  cause  the  solution  to  freeze 
and  damage  your  washer  fluid 
tank  and  other  parts  of  the  washer 
system.  Also,  water  doesn’t  clean 
as  well  as  washer  fluid. 
0 Fill  your  washer  fluid tank only 
3/4 full  when  it’s  very  cold.  This 
allows  for  expansion,  which  could 
damage  the  tank  if it is  completely 
full. 
0 Don’t  use  radiator  antifreeze  in 
your  windshield  washer.  It can 
damage  your  washer  system  and 
paint. 
. . .I92   
     
        
        Page 238 of 274

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine ITEM 
NO. SERVICE 
Index.  This  provides  proper 
freeze and  boil  protection, 
corrosion  inhibitor  level  and 
maintains  proper  engine 
operating  temperature. 
Inspect  hoses  and  replace  if 
they  are cracked,  swollen  or 
deteriorated.  Tighten  screw-type 
hose  clamps.  Clean  the  outside  of 
the  radiator  and  air conditioning 
condenser.  Wash  the pressure cap 
and  neck. 
To help  ensure  proper  operation, 
we recommend  a  pressure  test  of 
both  the  cooling  system  and the 
pressure  cap. 
5 Transmission  Service - For 
manual  transmissions,  fluid 
doesn’t  require  changing.  See 
“Periodic  Maintenance 
Inspection.” 
For  automatic  transmissions, 
change  both  the  fluid  and  filter 
every 
15,000 miles (25 000 km) 
ITEM 
NO. SERVICE 
if  the  vehicle  is  mainly  driven 
under  one or  more  of these 
conditions: 
In  heavy  city  traffic  where  the 
outside  temperature  regularly 
reaches 
90 OF (32 O C)  or 
higher. 
In hilly  or mountainous 
terrain. 
Uses  such  as found in taxi, 
police car  or delivery  service. 
If  you  do not  use  your  vehicle 
under  any  of these conditions, 
change  both 
the fluid  and 
filter every 
100,000 miles 
(1 66 000 km). 
Replace  spark plugs  with  the 
proper  type.  See “Replacement 
Parts”  in the  Index. 
6 Spark  Plug  Replacement* - 
7 Spark  Plug  Wire  Inspection*? - 
Inspect for burns, cracks or  other 
damage.  Check  the  boot  fit at the 
coils and at  the  spark  plugs. 
Replace  wires  as  needed. 
ITEM 
NO. SERVICE 
8 Air  Cleaner  Filter Replacement*- 
Replace  every 
30,000 miles 
(50 000 km) or more often  under 
dusty  conditions.  Ask  your  dealer 
for  the ’proper  replacement inter- 
vals  for your  driving conditions. 
Inspection*? 
- Inspect fuel tank, 
cap  and  lines  (including fuel rails 
and  injection  assembly) for 
damage  or leaks. Inspect fuel  cap 
gasket  for an even filler  neck 
imprint  or  any  damage. Replace 
parts  as needed.  Periodic replace- 
ment  of the  fuel filter  is not 
required. 
9 Fuel  Tank.  Cap  and Lines 
* An Emission Control Service. 
t The U.S. Environmental Protection  Agency 
or the California  Air Resources  Board has 
determined that the  failure to perform  this 
maintenance item  will not nullify  the emission 
warranty  or limit  recall  liability  prior  to  the 
completion 
of vehicle useful  life. General 
Motors,  however,  urges  that all recommended 
maintenance services  be performed  at  the 
indicated  intervals  and the  maintenance  be 
recorded  in  “Section 
E: Maintenance  Record.” 
I -I 
237. . .