1996 CHRYSLER VOYAGER coolant

NOTE: It is normal for the water pump to weep a
small amount of coolant from the weep hole (black
stain on water pump body). Do not replace the
water pump if this condition exists. Replace the
water pump if a heavy deposit or a steady flow of
green/brown engine coolant is evident on water
pump body from the weep hole (shaft seal failure).
Be sure to perform a thorough analysis before
replacing water pump.
ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT
When inspecting serpentine drive belts, small
cracks that run across the ribbed surface of the belt
from rib to rib (Fig. 37), are considered normal. these
are not reasons to replace the belt. However, cracks
running along the rib (not across) are not normal.
Any belt with cracks running along the rib must be
replaced (Fig. 37). Also replace the belt if it has
excessive wear, frayed cords or severe glazing.
RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP
INSPECTION
Hold the cap in hand,right side up. The vent
valve at the bottom of the cap should open. If the
rubber gasket has swollen and prevents the valve
from opening, replace the cap.
Hold the cleaned cap in handupside down.If any
light shows between vent valve and rubber gasket,
replace cap.Do not use a replacement cap that
has a spring to hold the vent shut.
Replacement cap must be of the type designed for
coolant reserve system with a completely sealed dia-
phragm spring, and rubber gasket to seal to fillerneck top surface. This design assures coolant return
to radiator.
COOLING SYSTEM CLEANING
Drain cooling system (see:Cooling System
Draining) and refill with clean water (see:Cooling
System Refilling). Run engine with radiator cap
installed until upper radiator hose is hot. Stop
engine and drain water from system. If water is
dirty; fill, run, and drain system again, until water
runs clear.
REVERSE FLUSHING THE RADIATOR
Drain cooling system and remove radiator hoses
from engine. Install suitable flushing gun in radiator
lower hose. Fill radiator with clean water and turn
on air in short blasts.
CAUTION: Internal radiator pressure must not
exceed 138 kPa (20 psi) as damage to radiator may
result. Continue this procedure until water runs
clear.
REVERSE FLUSHING THE ENGINE
Drain radiator (see:Draining Cooling System)
and remove hoses from radiator. Remove engine ther-
mostat and reinstall thermostat housing. Install suit-
able flushing gun to thermostat housing hose. Turn
on water, and when engine is filled, turn on air, but
no higher than 138 kPa (20 psi) in short blasts. Allow
engine to fill between blasts of air. Continue this pro-
cedure until water runs clean. Reinstall thermostat
using a new housing gasket. Fill cooling system (See
Refilling).
CHEMICAL CLEANING
One type of corrosion encountered with aluminum
cylinder heads is aluminum hydroxide deposits. Cor-
rosion products are carried to the radiator and depos-
ited when cooled off. They appear as dark grey when
wet and white when dry. This corrosion can be
removed with a two part cleaner (oxalic acid and
neutralizer) available in auto parts outlets. Follow
manufacturers directions for use.
ADJUSTMENTS
PROPER BELT TENSION
Satisfactory performance of the belt driven accesso-
ries depends on proper belt tension. Belt tensioning
should be performed with the aid of a Burroughs
gauge Special Tool C-4162. Because of space limita-
tions in the engine compartment, the use of the
gauge may be restricted. Raise the vehicle on a hoist
Fig. 37 Serpentine Drive Belt Wear Patterns
NSCOOLING SYSTEM 7 - 25
CLEANING AND INSPECTION (Continued)

and the remove the splash shield to gain access to
the drive belts.
BELT TENSION GAUGE METHOD
Use belt tensioning Special Tool Kit C-4162 for:
CAUTION: The Burroughs gauge for the Poly-V
belt is not to be used on the V-belt. These gauges
are not interchangeable.
²For conventional V-belts affix the Burroughs
gauge (Special Tool C-4162) to the belt. Adjust the
belt tension for New or Used belt as prescribed in the
Belt Tension Chart.
²For a Poly-V belt affix the Poly-V Burroughs
gauge to the belt and then apply specified tension to
the belt as prescribed in the Belt Tension Chart
Adjust belt tension for aNeworUsedbelt as pre-
scribed in the Belt Tension Chart.
BELT TENSION CHARTSPECIFICATIONS
COOLING SYSTEM CAPACITY
TORQUE CHART
DESCRIPTION TORQUE
Thermostat Housing
BoltsÐ2.4L & 3.3/3.8L......28N´m(250 in. lbs.)
BoltsÐ3.0L...............12N´m(105 in. lbs.)
Water Pump Mounting
BoltsÐ2.4L & 3.3/3.8L......12N´m(250 in. lbs.)
BoltsÐ3.0L...............27N´m(240 in. lbs.)
Water Pump Inlet Tube
BoltsÐ2.4L...............12N´m(250 in. lbs.)
BoltsÐ3.0L................11N´m(94in.lbs.)
Water Pump Pulley
BoltsÐ3.3/3.8L............28N´m(250 in. lbs.)
Transaxle Oil Cooler Hose
ClampsÐAll Engines.........2N´m(18in.lbs.)
Radiator Mounting Upper Bracket
NutÐAll Engines..........12N´m(105 in. lbs.)
SPECIAL TOOLS
COOLING
ACCESSORY DRIVE
BELTGAUGE
2.4L ENGINE
A/C COMPRESSOR /
GENERATORNEW 190 LB.
USED 115 LB.
POWER STEERING NEW 140 LB.
USED 90 LB.
3.0L ENGINE
A/C COMPRESSOR NEW 150 LB.
USED 80 LB.
GENERATOR / POWER
STEERINGDYNAMIC TENSIONER
3.3/3.8L ENGINES
A/C COMPRESSOR DYNAMIC TENSIONER
GENERATOR / WATER
PUMP / POWER
STEERINGDYNAMIC TENSIONER
Engine Standard Duty Trailer Tow or
Heavy Duty
Front
HeaterRear
HeaterFront
HeaterRear
Heater
2.4L 10.6
liters*
(11.23
qts.)*N/A N/A N/A
3.0L 12.3
liters*
(13.0
qts.)*N/A N/A 15.0
liters*
(15.9
qts.)*
3.3/3.8L 12.5
liters*15.26
liters*12.5
liters*15.26
liters*
(13.23
qts.)*(16.13
qts.)*(13.23
qts.)*(16.13
qts)*
*Includes Heater and Coolant Recovery Tank Filled to
Max Level.
Belt Tension Gauge C-4162
7 - 26 COOLING SYSTEMNS
ADJUSTMENTS (Continued)

COOLING SYSTEM
CONTENTS
page page
GENERAL INFORMATION
COOLANT PRESSURE BOTTLE............ 1
COOLING SYSTEM Ð 2.0L GASOLINE...... 1
COOLING SYSTEM Ð 2.5L VM DIESEL..... 1
LOW COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR........... 1
RADIATOR............................ 2
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
AUTOMATIC BELT TENSIONER............ 6
BELT TENSION......................... 5
COOLANT PERFORMANCE............... 5
PRESSURE/VENT CAP................... 4
THERMOSTAT OPERATION............... 4
THERMOSTAT......................... 6
WATER PUMP......................... 3
SERVICE PROCEDURES
ADDING ADDITIONAL COOLANT........... 7
DRAINING COOLING SYSTEM............. 7
REFILLING COOLING SYSTEM............ 7
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
ENGINE THERMOSTATÐ 2.0L GASOLINE . . . 9GENERATOR/POWER STEERING BELT Ð 2.5L
VM DIESEL......................... 10
RADIATOR Ð 2.5L VM DIESEL........... 9
THERMOSTAT Ð 2.5L VM DIESEL......... 9
WATER PUMP BELT Ð 2.5L VM DIESEL . . . 10
WATER PUMP Ð 2.0L GASOLINE......... 7
WATER PUMP Ð 2.5L VM DIESEL........ 8
CLEANING AND INSPECTION
WATER PUMP........................ 10
ADJUSTMENTS
BELT TENSION CHART................. 11
BELT TENSION GAUGE METHOD......... 11
SPECIFICATIONS
COOLING SYSTEM CAPACITY............ 12
TORQUE CHART...................... 12
SPECIAL TOOLS
COOLING............................ 12
GENERAL INFORMATION
COOLING SYSTEM Ð 2.0L GASOLINE
The 2.0L gasoline engine cooling system consists of
an engine cooling module, thermostat, coolant, a
water pump to circulate the coolant. The engine cool-
ing module may consist of a radiator, electric fan
motors, fan, shroud, coolant reserve system, hoses,
clamps, air condition condenser.
²When the Engine is cold: The thermostat is
closed; the cooling system has no flow through the
radiator. The coolant flows through the engine,
heater system and bypass.
²When the Engine is warm: Thermostat is open;
the cooling system has flow through radiator, engine,
heater system and bypass.
COOLING SYSTEM Ð 2.5L VM DIESEL
The cooling system has a radiator, coolant, electric
fan motors, shroud, pressure cap, thermostat, coolant
pressure bottle, hoses, a water pump to circulate the
coolant, to complete the circuit. Coolant flow for the
VM diesel engine is shown in (Fig. 1).
COOLANT PRESSURE BOTTLE
2.5L VM DIESEL
This system works with the pressure cap to use
thermal expansion and contraction of the coolant to
keep the coolant free of trapped air. It provides some
reserve coolant to cover minor leaks and evaporation
or boiling losses. The coolant pressure bottle location
for 2.5L diesel is above the cylinder head cover (Fig.
2).
LOW COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR
The low coolant level sensor checks for low coolant
level in the coolant tank. A signal will be sent from
this sensor to the Body Control Module (BCM). When
the BCM determines low coolant level for 30 contin-
uous seconds, the instrument panel mounted low
coolant level warning lamp will be illuminated. The
sensor is located on the front side of the coolant tank
(Fig. 4). For information, refer to Group 8E, Instru-
ment Panel and Gauges.
If this lamp is illuminated, it indicates the need to
fill the coolant tank and check for leaks.
NS/GSCOOLING SYSTEM 7 - 1

RADIATOR
The radiators are cross-flow types (horizontal
tubes) with design features that provide greater
strength along with sufficient heat transfer capabili-
Fig. 1 Cooling System Operation ± 2.5L VM Diesel
Fig. 2 Coolant Pressure Bottle ± 2.5L VM Diesel
Fig. 3 Low Coolant Warning Sensor Connector ±
2.5L VM Diesel
7 - 2 COOLING SYSTEMNS/GS
GENERAL INFORMATION (Continued)

ties to keep the engine satisfactorily cooled (Fig. 5)
and (Fig. 6).
CAUTION: Plastic tanks, while stronger then brass
are subject to damage by impact, such as wrenches
etc., or by excessive torque on hose clamps.
If the plastic tank is damaged, replace the radia-
tor.
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
WATER PUMP
2.0L GASOLINE
The water has a diecast aluminum body and hous-
ing with a stamped steel impeller. The water pumpbolts directly to the block (Fig. 7). Cylinder block to
water pump sealing is provided by a rubber O-ring.
The water pump is driven by the timing belt. Refer
to Group 9, Engine section for component removal to
access the water pump.
NOTE: The water pump on all models can be
replaced without discharging the air conditioning
system.
2.5L VM DIESEL
The Diesel engine water pump has an aluminum
body and housing with a stamped steel impeller. The
pump uses an O-ring gasket between body and hous-
ing. The water pump is driven by the accessory drive
belt, and the pump housing is bolted to the cylinder
block (Fig. 9).
NOTE: The water pump on all models can be
replaced without discharging the air conditioning
system.
Fig. 4 Low Coolant Level Sensor
Fig. 5 Cooling Module Ð2.0LGasoline
Fig. 6 Cooling Module ÐVM Diesel
NS/GSCOOLING SYSTEM 7 - 3
GENERAL INFORMATION (Continued)

THERMOSTAT OPERATION
2.5 VM DIESEL
The engine cooling thermostats are wax pellet
driven, reverse poppet choke type. They are designed
to provide the fastest warm up possible by prevent-
ing leakage through them and to guarantee a mini-
mum engine operating temperature (Fig. 10). The
thermostat has a hole to bleed off air in the cooling
system during engine warm up. The thermostat
begins to open at 80É C62É (176É F64É).
PRESSURE/VENT CAP
WARNING: Engine coolant can reach temperatures
of 200É fahrenheit or greater. If the cooling system
is opened with coolant at a high temperature, hot
coolant can be forced out of the system under high
pressures, causing personal injury. Allow system to
cool down prior to removing the pressure cap.
The pressure/vent cap is secured to the coolant
tank neck by a means of a cam lock system. This cap
releases excess pressure at some point within a
range of 90-117 kPa (13- 17 psi) for gasoline engines,
and 110±124 kPa (16±18 psi) for diesel engines. The
actual pressure relief point (in pounds) is labeled on
top of the cap (Fig. 11).
The cooling system will operate at pressures
slightly above atmospheric pressure. This results in a
higher coolant boiling point allowing increased radi-
ator cooling capacity. The cap (Fig. 11) contains a
spring-loaded pressure relief valve. This valve opens
when system pressure reaches approximately 103
kPa (15 psi).
When the engine is cooling down, vacuum is
formed within the cooling system. To prevent collapse
of the radiator and coolant hoses from this vacuum, a
vacuum valve is used within the cap. This valve pre-
vents excessive pressure differences from occurring
between the closed cooling system and the atmo-
sphere. If the vacuum valve is stuck shut, the radia-
tor and/or cooling system hoses will collapse on cool-
down.
Fig. 7 Water PumpÐ2.0L Gasoline Engine
Fig. 8 Water PumpÐ2.0L Gasoline Engine
Fig. 9 Water PumpÐ2.5L VM Diesel
Fig. 10 Thermostat and Housing Ð 2.5L VM Diesel
7 - 4 COOLING SYSTEMNS/GS
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

NOTE: Do not use any type of tool when tighten-
ing the cap. Hand tighten only (approximately 5 N´m
or 44 in. lbs.) torque.
COOLANT PERFORMANCE
ETHYLENE-GLYCOL MIXTURES
The required ethylene-glycol (antifreeze) and water
mixture depends upon the climate and vehicle oper-
ating conditions. The recommended mixture of 50/50
ethylene-glycol and water will provide protection
against freezing to -37 deg. C (-35 deg. F). The anti-
freeze concentrationmust alwaysbe a minimum of
44 percent, year-round in all climates.If percentage
is lower than 44 percent, engine parts may be
eroded by cavitation, and cooling system com-
ponents may be severely damaged by corrosion.
Maximum protection against freezing is provided
with a 68 percent antifreeze concentration, which
prevents freezing down to -67.7 deg. C (-90 deg. F). A
higher percentage will freeze at a warmer tempera-
ture.100 Percent Ethylene-GlycolÐShould Not Be Used in
Chrysler Vehicles
Use of 100 percent ethylene-glycol will cause for-
mation of additive deposits in the system, as the cor-
rosion inhibitive additives in ethylene-glycol require
the presence of water to dissolve. The deposits act as
insulation, causing temperatures to rise to as high as
149 deg. C (300) deg. F). This temperature is hot
enough to melt plastic and soften solder. The
increased temperature can result in engine detona-
tion. In addition, 100 percent ethylene-glycol freezes
at 22 deg. C (-8 deg. F ).
Propylene-glycol FormulationsÐShould Not Be Used in
Chrysler Vehicles
Propylene-glycol formulations do not meet
Chrysler coolant specifications.It's overall effec-
tive temperature range is smaller than that of ethyl-
ene-glycol. The freeze point of 50/50 propylene-glycol
and water is -32 deg. C (-26 deg. F). 5 deg. C higher
than ethylene-glycol's freeze point. The boiling point
(protection against summer boil-over) of propylene-
glycol is 125 deg. C (257 deg.F)at96.5 kPa (14 psi),
compared to 128 deg. C (263 deg. F) for ethylene-gly-
col. Use of propylene-glycol can result in boil-over or
freeze-up in Chrysler vehicles, which are designed for
ethylene-glycol. Propylene glycol also has poorer heat
transfer characteristics than ethylene glycol. This
can increase cylinder head temperatures under cer-
tain conditions.
Propylene-glycol/Ethylene-glycol MixturesÐShould Not Be
Used in Chrysler Vehicles
Propylene-glycol/ethylene-glycol Mixtures can
cause the destabilization of various corrosion inhibi-
tors, causing damage to the various cooling system
components. Also, once ethylene-glycol and propy-
lene-glycol based coolants are mixed in the vehicle,
conventional methods of determining freeze point will
not be accurate. Both the refractive index and spe-
cific gravity differ between ethylene glycol and propy-
lene glycol.
CAUTION: Richer antifreeze mixtures cannot be
measured with normal field equipment and can
cause problems associated with 100 percent ethyl-
ene-glycol.
BELT TENSION
Correct accessory drive belt tension is required to
be sure of optimum performance of belt driven engine
accessories. If specified tension is not maintained,
belt slippage may cause; engine overheating, lack of
power steering assist, loss of air conditioning capac-
ity, reduced generator output rate and greatly
reduced belt life.
Fig. 11 Coolant Tank Pressure/Vent Cap
NS/GSCOOLING SYSTEM 7 - 5
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)

Initial belt adjustment is done with a adjustable
tensioner pulley. After the initial adjustment is per-
formed, an automatic belt tensioner is used to main-
tain correct belt tension at all times. Do not attempt
to check belt tension with a belt tension gauge on
vehicles equipped with an automatic belt tensioner.
Refer to Automatic Belt Tensioner in this group.
AUTOMATIC BELT TENSIONER
Drive belt tension is controlled by a spring loaded
automatic belt tensioner located below and to the
front of the engine oil filter (Fig. 12). This tensioner
is connected to a pivot bracket and a pulley (Fig. 12).
The pivot bracket rotates on a pivot pin attached to
the engine. Special machined washers with rubber
o-rings (Fig. 12) are used at each side of the pivot
bracket to help keep dirt and water away from the
pivot pin.
If a defective belt tensioner is suspected, a check of
this pivot bracket and pivot pin should be made. Cor-
rosion may have formed at the pin and may cause
the pivot bracket to stick. Belt slippage will result.
WARNING: BECAUSE OF HIGH SPRING PRES-
SURE, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DISASSEMBLE THE
AUTOMATIC BELT TENSIONER. UNIT IS SERVICED
AS AN ASSEMBLY.
THERMOSTAT
DIAGNOSIS
Diesel engines, due to their inherent efficiency are
slower to warm up than gasoline powered engines,
and will operate at lower temperatures when the
vehicle is unloaded. Because of this, lower tempera-
ture gauge readings for diesel versus gasoline
engines may, at times be normal.
Typically, complaints of low engine coolant temper-
ature are observed as low heater output when com-
bined with cool or cold outside temperatures.
To help promote faster engine warm-up, an electric
engine block heater must be used with cool or cold
outside temperatures. This will help keep the engine
coolant warm when the vehicle is parked. Use the
block heater if the outside temperature is below 4ÉC
(40ÉF).Do not use the block heater if the out-
side temperature is above 4ÉC (40ÉF).
TESTING
NOTE: The DRB scan tool shoud be used to moni-
tor engine coolant temperature on the diesel
engine. Refer to the 1998 GS Powertrain Diagnostic
Manual for thermostat diagnosis procedure.
Fig. 12 Automatic Belt Tensioner Assembly
7 - 6 COOLING SYSTEMNS/GS
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)