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Problems on the Ro,ad
... .
I
Cooling System (CONT.)
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery
tank is boiling, don’t do anything else
until it cools down.
The coolant level should be at or above
the “FULL COLD’ mark. 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.
NOTICE:
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 fan is running. If the
engine
is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it isn’t, your vehicle needs
service.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but
the coolant level isn’t
at or above the
“FULL COLD’ mark, add
a 50/50
mixture of clean water (preferably
distilled) and
a proper antifreeze at the
coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant”
in the Index for more
information about the proper coolant
mix.)
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Service & Appearance Care
MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.”
Fuel that is no more than 15% MTBE is
fine
for your vehicle.
Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol.
Properly-blended fuel that is no more
than
10% ethanol is fine for your vehicle
Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.
NOTICE:
Fuel that is more than 5% methanol
is bad for your vehicle. 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. And even at
5% or less,
there must be “cosolvents” and
corrosion preventers
in this fuel to
help avoid these problems.
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
Your use of gasoline with deposit control
additives will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system.
That helps keep your engine
in tune and
your emission control system working
properly. It’s good for your vehicle, and
you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air.
Many gasolines are now blended with
oxygenates. General Motors recommends
that you use gasolines with these blending
materials, such as MTBE and ethanol. By
doing so, you can help clean the air,
especially
in those parts of the country
that have high carbon monoxide levels.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are
now producing reformulated gasolines.
These gasolines are specially designed to
reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors recommends that you use reformulated
gasoline. By doing
so, you can help clean
the air, especially
in those parts of the
country that have high ozone levels.
You should ask your service station
operators
if their gasolines contain deposit
control additives and oxygenates, and if
they have been reformulated to reduce
vehicle emissions.
r
Countries
If you plan on driving in another country
outside the
U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel
may ‘be hard to find.
Do not use leaded
gasoline. If you use even one
tankful, your
emission controls won’t work well
or at
all. With continuous use, spark plugs can
get fouled, the exhaust system can corrode,
and your engine
oil can deteriorate quickly.
Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor
will be
damaged. All of that means costly repairs
that wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto
club,
or contact a major oil company that
does business
in the country where you’ll
be driving.
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D
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Engine Accessory Belt
The 3800 (L27) engine uses an engine
accessory belt. This diagram shows the
features connected by the belt routing.
See “Maintenance Schedule’’
in the Index
for when to check the belt.
A. Power Steering
B. Crank
C. Coolant Pump
D. Air Conditioning
E. Alternator
F. Tensioner
3800 Supercharged
(L67) Engine (OPTION)
Your Bonneville may have a 3800
Supercharged engine. 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, 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 the3800
V6 Supercharged engine.
The power steering pump uses a Remote
reservoir mounted on the throttle wd
cruise control cable bracket. See
“Maintenance Schedule”
in the Index for
when you should check the fluid:
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Service & Appearance Care
F
1.
2.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
E
Front Belt
Back belt
Generator
Power Steering Pump
Crank Supercharger
Coolant Pump
Air Conditioning
tngine Accessory Belt
‘he Supercharged 3800 engine uses two
ccessory drive belts. One belt drives the
enerator and the power steering pump.
‘he second belt drives the supercharger,
oolant pump and air conditioning
ompressor. Each belt has its own
msioner and idler pulley.
. . 204
See “Maintenance Schedule” in the Index
for when to check the accessory drive
belts and Supercharger oil level. Have
your dealer check the oil level in the
Supercharger.
Supercharger Oil
Unless you are technically qualified and
have the proper tools, you should let your
dealer or a qualified service center
perform this maintenance.
When to Check
Check oil level every 30,000 miles
(50 000 km) or every 36 months.
What Kind of Oil to Use
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index and use only the
recommended oil.
How to Check and Add Oil
Check oil only when the engine is cold.
Allow the engine to cool
2 to 3 hours after
running.
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WIRING HARNESS SHIELD I
Remove the wiring harness shield.
Clean the area around the oil
fill plug
before removing it.
Remove the oil fill plug using a
3/16
Allen wrench.
The oil level is correct when
it just
reaches the bottom of the threads
of
the inspection hole.
Replace the oil plug with the O-ring
in place. Torque to
10 Nom (88 Ib. in.)
Replace the wiring harness shield.
I
I
tl
Y
r
6
1f
I1
e
a
LC
a
CHECK OIL
LEVEL
Engine Oil
f the “CHECK OIL LEVEL” light on
he instrument panel comes on,
it means
‘ou need to check your engine oil level
ight away. For more information, see
CHECK OIL LEVEL” light
in the
ndex.
You should check your engine oil
:vel regularly; this is an added reminder.
t’s a good idea to check your engine oil
very time you get fuel. In order
to get an
ccurate reading, the oil must be warm
nd the vehicle must be on level ground. Turn off the engine and
give
the oil a few
minutes to drain back into the
oil pan. If
you don’t, the oil dipstick might not show
the actual level.
To Check, Engine Oil ., I’ .
Pull out the dipstick and clean it %with a
paper towel or cloth, then push
it back in
all the way. Remove
it again, keeping the
tip lower, and check the level.
r
205 .
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Page 210 of 290
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.
If you have a proplem
properly disposing of your used oil; ask
your dealer, a service station or a local
recycling center for help.
Air Cleaner
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine when to replace the air filter.
See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in
the Index.
NOTICE:
If the air cleaner is off, a backfire
can cause a damaging engine fire.
And, dirt can easily get into your
engine, which will damage it.
Always have the air cleaner in place
when you’re driving.
To Check or Replace (3800 Engine):
1. Unscrew the three wing screws in the
housing cover and pull back.
t
209.. .
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Service & Appearance Care
Air Cleaner (CONT.)
2. Unscrew the clamp on the air intake
hose where the hose attaches to the
throttle body near the top
of the
engine. Detach the hose from the
throttle body, then pull back the rear
of the housing cover.
3. Remove the air filter.
4. Be sure to install the air filter and
replace the cover tightly.
5. Reattach the air intake hose and
tighten the clamp.
To Check or Replace (3800
Supercharged Engine):
1. Unsnap the three clips in the housing
cover and pull back.
.* 210
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Page 212 of 290
2. Unscrew the clamp on the air intake
hose where the hose attaches to the
throttle body near the top
of the
engine. Detach the hose from the
throttle body, then pull back the rear
of the housing cover.
3. Remove the air filter,
4. Be sure to install the air filter and
replace the cover tightly.
5. Reattach the air intake hose and
tighten the clamp.
Automatic Transaxle
Fluid
When to Check and
Change
A good time to check your automatic
transaxle fluid level is when the engine oil
is changed..Refer to the Maintenance
Schedule to determine when to. change
your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance
Services”
in the Index.
How to Check
,- , .. : : j! ? !i
Because this operation can be a little
difficult,
you may choose to have this
done at a Pontiac Dealership Service
Department.
211 b..
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