1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE air condition

Your Park Avenue Ultra has a 3800 Supercharged
engine. Buick chose supercharging rather than
turbocharging because Buick emphasizes smooth,
refined power.
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 the
3800 V6 Supercharged Buick engine.
The power steering pump and reservoir are mounted
on the rear (driver’s side)
of the engine block. See
“Maintenance Schedule” in the Index for when you
should check the fluid.
Engine Oil
If the CHECK OIL
LEVEL light on the
instrument panel
comes on, it means
CHECK OIL you need to check
LEVEL your engine oil level
right away.
For more information, see “Check Oil Level Light” in
the Index. You should check your engine oil level
regularly; this is an added reminder.
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Brake Wear
Your Buick has front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.
Disc brake pads have built-in wear indicators that make a
high-pitched warning sound when the brake pads are worn and new pads are needed. The sound may come and
go
or be heard all the time your vehicle is moving (except
when you are pushing on the brake pedal firmly).
The brake wear warning sound means that sooner
or later your brakes won’t work well. That could
lead to an accident. When
you hear the brake
wear warning sound, have your vehicle serviced.
I NOTICE:
Continuing to drive with worn-out brake pads
could result in costly brake repair.
Some driving conditions or climates may cause a brake
squeal when the brakes are first applied or lightly
applied. This does not mean something
is wrong with
your brakes.
Free movement of brake calipers and properly torqued
wheel nuts are necessary
to help prevent brake
pulsation. When tires are rotated, inspect brake calipers
for movement, brake pads for wear, and evenly torque
wheel nuts in the proper sequence to
GM specifications.
Your rear drum brakes don’t have wear indicators, but
if
you ever hear a rear brake rubbing noise, have the rear
brake linings inspected. Also, the rear brake drums
should be removed and inspected each time the tires
are
removed for rotation or changing. When you have the
front brakes replaced, have the rear brakes inspected, too.
Brake linings should always be replaced as complete
axle sets.
Brake Pedal Travel
See your dealer if the brake pedal does not return to
normal height, or if there is a rapid increase
in pedal
travel. This could be a sign of brake trouble.
Brake Adjustment
Every time you apply the brakes, with or without the
vehicle moving, your brakes adjust for wear.
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Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted
or corroded.
If wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel,
wheel bolts and wheel nuts should be replaced. If the
wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See
your
Buick dealer if any of these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind
of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load-carrying
capacity, diameter, width, offset and be mounted the
same way as the one
it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts, replace them only with new
GM original
equipment parts. This way, you will be sure
to have
the right wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts for your
Buick model. Using
the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts
or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be dangerous.
It could affect the braking and handling of your
vehicle, make your tires lose air and make
you
lose control. You could have a collision in which
you or others could be injured. Always use
the correct wheel, wheel bolts and wheel nuts
for replacement.
NOTICE:
The WtMg wheel can also cause problems with
bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper
height, vehicle ground clearance and tire or tire
chain‘clearance to the body and chassis.
See “Changing a Flat Tire” in the Index for
more information.
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Finish Damage
Any stone chips, fractures or deep scratches in the finish
should be repaired right away. Bare metal will corrode
quickly and may develop into a major repair expense.
Minor chips and scratches can be repaired with touch-up
materials available from your dealer or other service
outlets. Larger areas
of finish damage can be corrected
in your dealer’s body and paint shop.
Underbody Maintenance
Chemicals used for ice and snow removal and dust control
can collect on the underbody.
If these are not removed,
accelerated corrosion (rust) can occur on
the underbody
parts such as fuel lines, frame, floor pan and exhaust system even though they have corrosion protection.
At least every spring, flush these materials from the
underbody with plain water. Clean any areas where
mud
and other debris can collect. Dirt packed in closed areas
of the frame should be loosened before being flushed.
Your dealer or an underbody car washing system can do
this
for you.
Chemical Paint Spotting
Some weather and atmospheric conditions can create a
chemical fallout. Airborne pollutants can fall upon and
attack painted surfaces on your vehicle.
This damage
can take two forms: blotchy, ringlet-shaped
discolorations, and small irregular dark spots etched into
the paint surface.
Although no defect in the paint job causes this, Buick
will repair, at no charge
to the owner, the surfaces of
new vehicles damaged by this fallout condition within
12 months or 12,000 miles (20 000 km) of purchase,
whichever occurs first.
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Capacities and Specifications
Belt Tensions
Automatically controlled by a Self-Tension idler pulley. Tension adjustment should never be necessary.
Automatic Transaxle AT (Overdrive)
When draining or replacing torque converter, more fluid may be needed.
Pan Removal and Replacement
............................................ 6 quarts (5.6 L)
After Complete Overhaul .............................................. 11 quarts (1 0.4 L)
Cooling System ..................................................... 13 quarts (12.3 L)
Oil change with filter change ........................................... 4.5 quarts (4.3 L)
Engine Crankcase
FuelTank
........................................................... 18gallons(68L)
Power Steering
Pump Only ............................................................. 1 pint (0.5 L)
Complete System .................................................... 1 1/2 pints (0.7 L)
Tire Pressures, Sizes ........................... The Tire-Loading Information label, which is
located on the rear edge of the driver’s door,
shows the correct inflation pressures for your tires.
Wheel Nut Torque ................................................. 100 lb-ft (140 N-rn)
Windshield Wiper Blades (6.32 Pin Type) ............................. 22 inches (565 mm)
Refrigerant (R=134a), Air Conditioning ............ See refrigerant charge label under the hood.
NOTE: All capacities are approximate. When adding, be sure to fill to the appropriate level, as recommended
in this manual.
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Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Not all air conditioning refrigerants are the same.
If the air conditioning system in your vehicle needs
refrigerant, be sure the proper refrigerant is used.
If you're not sure, ask your Buick dealer.
Engine Specifications
3800 Engine
VIN Engine Code ................................... K
Type ............................................ V6
Displacement
.................................... 3.8L
Compression Ratio
............................... 9:4: 1
Horsepower
..................................... 205
Firing Order
.............................. 1-6-5-4-3-2
Thermostat Temperature
................... 195 OF (9 1 O C)
3800 Supercharged Engine
1
V6
3.8L
8:5: 1
240
1-6-5-4-3-2
195°F (91OC)
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Engine Accessory Belt (L36)
C
I
A. Power Steering
B. Alternator
C. Air Conditioning
D. Crank
E. Coolant Pump
E Tensioner
The
3800 (L36) 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.
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mharged Engine Accessory Belt (L67)
F
1. Front Belt
2. Back Belt A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
E
Alternator
Power Steering
Crank
Supercharger
Coolant Pump
Air Conditioning
The Supercharged
3800 engine uses two accessory drive
belts. One belt drives the generator, power steering
pump, coolant pump and air conditioning compressor.
The second belt drives the supercharger. Each belt has
its own tensioner and idler pulley. 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.
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