1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD engine coolant

Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your
Pontiac’s instrument panel. You may also find
a low
coolant warning light on your Pontiac instrument panel.
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep
driving with
no coolant, your vehicle can be
badly damaged. The costly repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
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Cooling System
V8 Engine
I.
When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:
1. Coolant recovery tank
2. Radiator pressure cap
3. Electric engine fan
V6 Engines
When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:
1. Coolant recovery tank
2. Radiator pressure cap
3. Electric engine fan
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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 fans are running.
If the engine is overheating,
both fans should be running.
If they aren’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
FWLL COLD, 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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NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts. Use the recommended coolant.
I I
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene gly
and it will burn if the engine narts arp hnt
When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at
WLL 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 1
cool before you do it.
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How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
(V6 Engines)
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
1. You can remove the radiator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator 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.
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5. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap off.
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.
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How to Add Coolant to the Radiator - LTl
(Code P) Engine Only
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.
8. 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 like this.
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4. Fill with the proper mix. Add coolant until you see a
steady stream
of coolant coming fiom the bleed
valves.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Close the bleed valves.
Continue to fill the radiator up to the base of the
filler neck.
Rinse or wipe the spilled coolant from the engine
and compartment.
Start the engine and allow it to run in idle for
approximately four minutes. By this time, the
coolant level inside the radiator will be lower. Add
more
of the proper mix through the filler neck until
the level reaches the base
of the filler neck.
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