1996 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme radiator cap

When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:
3.1 L L82 Engine
A. Coolant Recovery Tank
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Electric Engine Fans
I
3.4L LQ 1 Engine
-
A CAUTION:
I
An electric fan under the hood can start up even
when the engine
is not running and can injure
you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
5-15

You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it will burn
if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on
a hot engine.
When the coolant
in the coolant recovery tank is at the
COLD mark, 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
cool before you
do it.
I
I
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling
system can blow out and burn you badly. They
are under pressure, and if you turn the radiator
CAUTION: (Continued) pressure cap
-- even a little -- they can
come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever have to
turn the pressure cap.
5-18
i

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
I NOTICE:
Your engine has a specific radiator fill procedure.
Failure to follow this procedure could cause your
engine to overheat and be severely damaged.
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
counterclockwise 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.
1 CAUTIO
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and it
will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
5-19

I
4. Fill the radiator with the
proper
mix, up to the
base of the filler neck.
If you see a stream of
coolant coming from an
air bleed valve, close the
I
valve. Otherwise, close
the valves after the
radiator is filled.
5. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and compartment.
6. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the
7. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
COLD mark.
leave the radiator pressure cap
off.
5-21

8. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine fans.
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.
9. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator
10. 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.
11. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the
COLD mark
when the engine is cold.
5-22

A. Engine Coolant R&ervoir
B. Radiator Fill Cap
C. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
D, Engine Oil Fill Cap
E. Engine Oil Dipstick
E Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir
H. Air Cleaner
6-8 I

When you open the hood of the 3.4L LQ 1 engine, you'll see:
A. Engine Coolant Reservoir
B. Radiator Fill Cap
C. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
D. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E. Engine Oil Dipstick
F. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
G. Brake Fluid Reservoir
H. Air Cleaner
I. Windshield Washer Fluid
J. Battery (located under Windshield Reservoir
Washer Fluid Reservoir)
6-9

this it conies on, it
means you're low
on
engine coolant.
A4&g Coolant
- ..
Jfy& more coolant, add the proper mix at the. I
coolant recovery tank. I.
If the coolant recovery tank is. completely empty, add
,- ,coolant -to the radiator.. (See ,:'Engine Overheating" in-
the Index.) I'
A CAUTION:
Turning the radiator pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam
and' scalding liquids to blow out and burn you
badly. With the coolant recovery tank,-you
will
almost never have to add doolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiatol' pressure cap
-- even a
little.-- when the engine and radiator
are. hot.
I Add coolant mix at the recovery tank, but be careful not
to
spill it.
I A CAUTION:
You can be burned if you,spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it
will burn if the engine parts are hot '
enough. Don't s,pill coolant on a hot engme.