1996 PONTIAC FIREBIRD Owners Manual

NOTICE:
.In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant
mix.
- -
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
FULL COLD, 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.
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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
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 ca,p.
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HOW to Add Coolant to the Radiator
i'l (V6 Engine Only)
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down
as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
1. You can remove the rachator pressure cap when the
cooling system, including ,&e radiator pressure cap Bnd
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.
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3. Fill the radiator with the proper mix, up to the base
of the filler neck.
4.
5.
Then fill the coolant recovery tank to FULL COLD.
Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap
off.
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6. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine
fan.
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.
7. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator
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.
, 'I I
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How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
(V8 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.
<
I
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.
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2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now gush
down as you turn it, Remove the pressure cap.
/rl CAUTION:
I
1
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.
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 from the
bleed valves.
.. i L . -8
-.
5. Close the bleed valves.
6. Continue to fill the radiator up to the base of the
7. Rinse or wipe the spilled coolant from the engine
and compartment.
8. 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.
filler
neck.
I. . :-
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