1994 PONTIAC FIREBIRD engine overheat

On the V8 engine you’ll see this:
1. Coolant recovery tank
2. Radiator pressure cap
3. Electric engine fans
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
“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.
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.
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Problems on the Road
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.)
NOTICE:
I
In cold weather, water can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core and other parts. Use the
recommended coolant. When the coolant
in the coolant recovery
tank is at or above the “FULL COLD’
mark, 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.
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6.
7.
Start the engine and let it run until
you can feel the upper radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the engine
fan(s).
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 base of the
filler neck. Then
replace the pressure cap. At any
time during this procedure if coolant
begins
to flow out of the filler neck,
reinstall the pressure cap. Be sure the
arrows on the pressure cap line up likl
this.
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
(5.7L LT1 (Code P) Engine)
NOTICE:
The LTl engine (Code P) has a
specific radiator fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure
could cause your engine to overheat
and be severely damaged.
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Hydraulic Clutch
The hydraulic clutch in your vehicle is
self-adjusting. The clutch master cylinder
reservoir is filled with hydraulic clutch
fluid.
It isn’t a good idea to “top
off’ your
clutch fluid. Adding fluid won’t correct a
leak.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected and
repaired.
When to Check and What to Use:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often you should check
the fluid level in your clutch master
cylinder reservoir and for the proper fluid.
See “Owner Checks and Services” and
“Recommended Fluids and Lubricants”
in the Index.
How to Check:
The proper fluid should be added if the
level
is below the “STEP’ mark on the
reservoir. See the instructions on the
reservoir cap.
Rear Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change
it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” in
the Index.
How to Check Lubricant:
If the level is below the bottom of the
filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise
the level to the bottom of the filler plug
hole.
What to Use
Standard Differential
Use Axle Lubricant (GM Part No.
1052271) or SAE 80W-90 GL-5 gear
lubricant.
Limited-Slip Differential
To add lubricant when the.leve1 is
low, use Axle Lubricant (GM Part
No.
105227 1) or SAE 8OW-90 GL-5 gear
lubricant. To completely refill after
draining, add
4 ounces ( 1 18 ml) of
Limited-Slip Differential Lubricant
Additive (GM
Part No. 1052358). Then
fill to the bottom of the filler plug hole
with Axle Lubricant (GM
Part No.
12345977) or SAE 8OW-90 GL-5 gear
lubricant.
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 or if you need to add
coolant to your radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index.
I
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Service and Appearanc’e Care
The proper coolant for your Pontiac will:
0
Give freezing protection down to
-34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 262°F
(128°C)
.
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights work as
they
should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets
“GM Specification
1825M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant
conforming to GM Specification 1825M
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 war-
ranty. Too much water in the mix can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core and other parts.
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant: When your engine is
cold, check the dipstick on the cap of the
coolant recovery tank. The coolant level should be “COLD,” or a little higher.
When your engine is warm, the level on
the dipstick should be up to
“HOT,” or a
little higher.
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LOW
COOLANT
f you have the 5.7L LTl (Code P) engine
nd this light comes
on, it means you’re
3w on engine coolant.
ro Add Coolant to the Recovery Tank:
f you need more coolant, add the proper
nix at the coolant recovery tank, but only
vhen your engine is cool. If the tank
is
‘ery low or empty, also add coolant to the
adiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the
ndex for information. Add
coolant mix at
the recovery tank, but
be careful not to spill it.
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I
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V
I Fuses and Circuit
Breakers
'he wiring circuits in your vehicle are
rotected from short circuits by
a
ombination of fuses, circuit breakers,
nd fusible thermal links in the wiring
self. This greatly reduces the chance of
ires caused by electrical problems.
'here are two fuse centers on your ehicle. One is in the left side of your
lstrument panel.
The other is in the engine compartment.
3pen the cover on either of the boxes to
:xpose the fuses.
>oak at the silver-colored band inside the
'use. If the band is broken or melted,
.eplace the fuse. Be sure you replace a
)ad fuse with a new
one of the correct
rize.
f you ever have a problem on the road
md don't have a spare fuse, you can
)orrow one. Just pick some feature
of
Jour vehicle that you can get along
without
- like the radio or cigarette
ighter
- and use its fuse, if it is the size
IOU need. Replace it as soon as you can.
Headlights
The headlight wiring is protected by a
circuit breaker. An electrical overload
will cause the lights to go
on and off, or in
some cases to remain
off. If this happens,
have your headlight wiring checked right
away.
Windshield Wipers
The windshield wiper motor is protected
by a circuit breaker and a fuse. If
the
motor overheats due to heavy snow, etc.,
the wiper will stop until the motor
cools. If the overload is caused by some
electrical problem and not snow, etc.,
be sure to get it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power
Options
Circuit breakers protect the power
windows and other power accessories.
When the current load is too heavy,
the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the problem
is fixed or goes away.
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Cruise Control Using on Hills
............... 75
Curves. Driving on
.............. 132
Customer Assistance for the Hearing or Speech Impaired (TDD)
..... 260
Customer Assistance Information
. . 259
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
... 260
Daytime Running Lights
....... 77
Deep Standing Water.
Driving through
.............. 54
Defects. Safety Reporting to General Motors
.... 262
Reporting to the Canadian Government
............... 262
Reporting to the United States
Government
............... 26 1
Defensive Driving .............. 126
Defogger. Rear Window
......... 107
Defogging and Defrosting Windows
................... 105
Dimensions. Vehicle
............ 236
Doing Your Own Service Work
.... 184
Door Locks
.................... 43
Door Locks. Power
............. 44
Doors. Headlight
............... 76
Driver Position (Safety Belts)
..... 19
Driving AtNight
.................... 136
City
........................ 138
Defensive
................... 126 .
Driving
Drunken
.................... 126
Freeway
.................... 139
In the Rain .................. 137
On Curves
.................. 132
On Snow or Ice
.............. 142
Through Deep Standing Water
... 54
Winter
...................... 142
With a Trailer
................ 147
Drunken Driving
............... 126
Electrical Center. Underhood
.... 231
Electrical Equipment. Add-on
..... 228
Electric Mirror Control
.......... 80
Emergencies. Braking in
......... 132
Emergencies. Steering in
......... 133
Engine
Coolant
..................... 20 1
Coolant (Block) Heater
........ 55
Coolant Temperature Gage
..... 93
Exhaust
..................... 66
Identification
................ 228
Oil
........................ 191
Oil Pressure Gage
............. 95
Overheating
................. 1 6 1
Specifications ................ 233
Starting Your
................ 52
Environment, Your Vehicle
andthe
..................... 240
Exhaust, Engine
................ 66
Extender, Safety Belt
............ 39
Fan Control Knob ............. 104
Features and Controls
........... 41
Filling Your Tank
............... 187
Filter. Air. Replacement
.......... 196
Finish Care (Paint)
.............. 225
Finish Damage (Paint)
........... 226
Fixed Mast Antenna
............. 123
Flashers. Hazard Warning
........ 152
Flat Tire. Changing a
............ 171
Flat.
If a Tire Goes .............. 170
Floormats
..................... 79
Flow-Through Ventilation System
. . 107
Fluid Automatic Transmission
....... 198
Brake
....................... 207
Manual Transmission
.......... 200
Power Steering
............ .I .. 204
Recommended ................ 253
Windshield Washer
............. 205
Fog Lights
..................... 78
Folding Rear Seatback
........... 13
Foreign Countries. Fuels in
....... 186
Foreign Material Paint Damage
.... 226
Four-Way Manual Seat
.......... 8
Freeway Driving ............... 139
Front Ashtray
..................... 85
Console
.................... 84
Map Lights
.................. 79
Seat. Manual
................ 8
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