1996 PONTIAC GRAND-AM radiator

' A CAUTION:
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.
1
If tkie coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
don't
do anything else until it cools down.
The coolant level should be at or above FULL COLD. If
it isn't, you my have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump
or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
"I '!
_.
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6!!l CAUTION:
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Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be. burned.
Donst run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine, it could
lose all coolant. That coulld
cause an engine
fire, and you could be burned.
Get
any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
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 50150 mixture of
clean water (preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL
antifreeze at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the
cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank
pressure cap,
is COO^ before you do it, (See “Engine
Coolant” in the Index for more infomati .) - --
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 coolant
surge tank pressure cap
-- even a little -- they
can come out at high speed. Never turn the cap
when the cooling
system, including the coolant
surge tank pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the
cooling system and coolant
surge tank pressure.
cap to cool if you ever have to turn the pressure
cap.
5-16
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NOTICE:
In cold weather,-water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts. So
use the recommended coolant.
You can
be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine p,arts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and
it will burn if the engine parts are .hot I)
enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.
I
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
I
5-18
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4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start the
engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose
getting hot. Watch out for the engine fan,
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mix to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches FULL COLD, or just above
the small cylinder at the base of the opening.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the pressure
cap is tight.
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What Kind of’Oil to Use
3.1L Engine
The 3.1L engine oil fill cap is on the front of the engine,
behind the radiator.
Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the
proper operating range.
Push the dipstick all the way
back in when you’re through.
Oils recommended for your vehicle can be identified by
looking for the “Starburst” symbol. This symbol indicates that the oil has been certified by the American
Petroleum Institute
(API). Do not use any oil which
does not carry this Starburst symbol.
If you change your own oil,
be sure you use oil that has
the Starburst symbol on the front
of the oil container. If
you have your oil changed
for you, be sure the oil put
into your engine is
American Petroleum
Institute certified
for
gasoline engines.
You should also use the proper viscosity oil for your
vehicle, as shown
in the following chart:
6-13
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NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you use
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner --,at
30,000 miles
(50 000 km)'or 24 months whichever
occurs first.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets GM Specification
6277M, which won't damage aluminum parts. Use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. If you
use this mixture, you don't need to add anything else.
.
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water,
or some other
liquid like alcohol, can bo'il before the proper
coolant mix will. Your vehicle's coolant warning'
system is set for the proper coolant mix. With
plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could
get too hot but you wouldn't get the overheat
warning. Your engine could catch
fire and you or
others could be burned. Use a 5060 mix of clean
water and
DEX-COOL (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
f' . ..
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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.
If you have to add cooldnt more than four times a year,
have
your dealer check your cooling system,
I NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located on the passenger side
of the engine compartment.
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A CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little -- when the engine and radiator are hot.
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the FULL
COLD mark, or a little higher.
If this light comes on,
means you’re low on engine
coolant.
See “LOW coolant Warning
Light” in the Index.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
surge tank, but only when the engine is cool.
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 spill coolant on
a hot engine.
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When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is tight.
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