1995 PONTIAC GRAND-AM engine overheat

Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on 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 Surge
Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at or above FULL COLD, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean water (preferably distilled) and a proper antifreeze
at the coolant surge
tank, but be sure the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool
before you do it. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for
more information about the proper coolant
mix.)
I NOTICE:
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Hydraulic Clutch Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how often you should check the fluid level in your clutch
The hydraulic clutch linkage in your vehicle is master cylinder reservoir and for the proper fluid. See
self-adjusting. The clutch master cylinder reservoir is “Owner Checks and Services” and “Recommended
filled with hydraulic clutch fluid. Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
It isn’t a good idea to “top off’ your clutch fluid. Adding
fluid won’t correct a leak. How to Check
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem.
Have the system inspected and repaired.
When to Check and What to Use
The proper fluid should be added if the level is at or
below the STEP mark on the reservoir cap. See the
instructions on the reservoir cap.
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, see “Engine Overheating” in the
Index.
The proper coolant for your Pontiac will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 262 OF ( 128 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they should.
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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. Use GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer)
with any 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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II WASH
FLUID
LOW
COOLANT
To Add Coolant
If this light comes on,
it means you’re low on
engine coolant.
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
surge tank, but only when the engine is cool.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is tight.
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your pressure cap is an 18 psi (124 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant
loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
When you replace your surge tank pressure cap, a GM
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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Damage. Finish ............................... 6-49
Damage. Sheet Metal ............................ 6-49
Daytime Running Lamps
......................... 2-43
Dead Battery
................................... 5-2
Defects. Reporting
............................... 8-4
Defensive Driving
............................... 4- 1
Defogger. Rear Window .......................... 3-4
Defogging
................................... 3-2. 3
Defrosting
.................................. 3-2. 3
Delco LOC 11'
................................. 3- 16
Dome Lamp. Bulb Change
....................... 2-45
DoorLocks
..................................... 2-3
Drive (D) Position. Automatic Transaxle
............ 2-20
DriverPosition
................................. 1-12
Driving On Grades. With a Trailer
.................. 4-36
Driving
AtNight ................................... 4-13
City
....................................... 4-17
Defensive
................................... 4-1
Drunken
.................................... 4-2
Freeway
.................................... 4-18
In a Blizzard
................................ 4-24
In Foreign Countries
........................... 6-4
In the Rain .................................. 4-14
OnCurves
................................... 4-8
On Hill and Mountain Roads
................... 4-20
On Snow and Ice
............................. 4-23
Through Deep Standing Water
.................. 2-16
Winter ..................................... 4-22
With a Trailer
............................... 4-34
Drunken Driving
................................ 4-2
Easy-Entry Seat ................................ 1-6
Electrical Equipment. Adding ........ 2-14. 15. 3- 18. 6-51
Engine Coolant ................................. 6-22
Adding ............................... 5-1 6. 6-24
Heater ................................ 2-16. 6-16
Temperature Gage
............................ 2-63
Temperature Warning Light
.................... 2-62
Checking ................................... 6-24
Engine
Exhaust .................................... 2-29
Identification ................................ 6-51
Overheating
................................. 5-12
Running It While You're Parked
................ 2-30
Specifications
............................... 6-57
Starting .................................... 2-13
2.3 Liter
..................................... 6-9
3.1 Liter
.................................... 6-10
Engineoil ..................................... 6-11
Adding
.................................... 6-12
Additives
................................... 6-15
Checking
................................... 6-11
What Kind to Use ............................ 6-14
What to Do with Used Oil ..................... 6-16
Ethanol (In Fuel)
................................ 6-3
Extender, Safety Belt
............................ 1-46
Whentochange ............................. 6-16
Expectant Mothers. Use of Safety Belts
............. 1-23
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Neutral (N) Position. Automatic Transaxle .......... 2- 19
Neutral (N) Position. Manual Transaxle ............. 2-23
New Vehicle “Break-In”
......................... 2-11
Night Vision
................................... 4-13
Odometer .................................... 2-56
Odometer. Tamper Resistant
...................... 2-56
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-56
Off-Road Recovery
............................. 4-10
Engine ..................................... 6-11
Pressure Gage
............................... 2-67
Warning Light
............................... 2-65
Owner Publications ............................ 8-7
Service Bulletins
.............................. 8-7
Service Manuals .............................. 8-7
Overdrive Position. Automatic Transaxle ............ 2-21
Overheated Engine
.............................. 5-12
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-38
Owner Publications. Ordering
...................... 8-7
Oil
Ordering
Paint Spotting. Chemical ........................ 6-49
Park (P) Position. Shifting Into .................... 2-26
Park (P) Position. Shifting Out of
.................. 2-28
Park
(P) Position. Automatic Transaxle .............. 2-18
AtNight ................................... 2-10
Lots
....................................... 2-10
On Hills While Towing a Trailer
................ 4-36
Parking
Over Things That Burn ........................ 2-29
Your Vehicle. Manual Transaxle
................. 2-28
ParkingBrake
.................................. 2-25
Passing ....................................... 4-10
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-41
Power Door Locks
............................... 2-4
Power Remote Control Mirrors
.................... 2-47
Power Steering .................................. 4-8
Powerseat ...........,......................... l-2
Power Steering Fluid
Adding .................................... 6-26
Checking
................................... 6-26
Power Windows
................................ 2-31
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-23
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications, Service and Owner .................... 8-7
Radio Reception. Understanding .................. 3-18
Radios
AMPMStereo ............................... 3-6
A” Stereo with Cassette Tape Player and
AMPM Stereo with Cassette Tape Player .......... 3-8
Graphic Equalizer .......................... 3-10
AM/FM Stereo with Compact Disc Player
......... 3-13
Rain. Driving In
................................ 4-14
Reading Lamps
Front ...................................... 2-44
Rear
....................................... 2-45
Rear Door Security Locks ......................... 2-5
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides .................. 1-28
Rear Seat Outside Position
........................ 1-25
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