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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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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.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you
turn it. Remove the pressure cap. 3. After the engine cools, open the air bleed valves on
the heater return hose and water pump inlet.
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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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Page 263 of 386

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.
The proper coolant for your Pontiac will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37 O 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
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.
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Adding Coolant 5.7L LTl Engine Only
r ----
If this light comes on, it means you’re low on engine
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 at
COLD, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm, the level on the dipstick should be up to the HOT,
or a little higher.
To Add Coolant to the Recovery Tank
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
coolant
recovery tank, but only when your engine is
cool. If the tank is very low or empty, also add coolant
to the radiator, see “Engine Overheating” in the Index
for information.
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Radiator Pressure Cap (All Engines)
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 18 psi (124 Ea)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
'line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap is recommended.
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
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Page 269 of 386

Open the cap labeled WASHER FLUID ONLY. Add
washer fluid until the tank is full.
NOTICE:
When using concentrated washer fluid,
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
adding water.
0 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.
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
0 Don’t use radiator antifreeze in your
Brake Master Cylinder
Your brake master cylinder is here. It is filled with
DOT-3 brake fluid.
There are only two reasons why the brake fluid level in
your master cylinder might go down. The first is that the
brake fluid goes down to an acceptable level during
normal brake lining wear. When new linings are put in,
the fluid level goes back up. The other reason is that
fluid is leaking out
of the brake system. If it is, you
should have your brake system fixed, since a leak means
that sooner or later your brakes won’t work well, or
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Vehicle Dimensions
Wheelbase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101.1 in. (2 566 mm)
Front Tread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60.7 in. (1542 mm)
Rear Tread . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . 60.7 in. (1540 mm)
Length
Firebird / Formula . . . . . . . . . . . 195.6 in. (4 968 mm)
Trans Am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 in. (5005 mm)
Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74.5 in. (1893 mm)
Height
Firebird / Formula . , . . . . . . . . . . . 52 in. (1321 mm)
Trans Am. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.7 in. (1312 mm)
Height Convertible
Formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52.7 in. (1340 mm)
Trans Am . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52.4 in. (1331 111171)
Replacement Parts
Air Cleaner Filter . , . , . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1163C
Battery
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . .75-60
Engine Oil Filter
VIN Engine Code S and K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PF47
VINEngineCodeP
........................ PF25
Fuel Filter
. . . . . . . . , , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GF578
PCV valve
VIN Engine Code
S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , , CV789C
VIN Engine Code K . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . CV892C
VIN Engine Code: P
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV895C
Radiator Cap
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . RC24
Spark Plug
VIN Engine Code
S . . . . . . . . . sR43TSK (0.045' Gap)
VIN Engihe Code K , . . . . . . . . -41-601 (0.060' Gap)
VIN Engine Code P . . . . . . , . sR45LTSP (0.050' Gap)
Thermostat Temperature Specification
. . . . 18OoF(82"C)
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