1996 PONTIAC PONTIAC engine coolant

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.
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don’t do anything else until
it cools down.
The coolant level should be
at or above the COLD
mark on a cold engine. The coolant level should be
at or above the HOT mark on a hot engine. If it isn’t,
you may have a leak
in the radiator hoses, heater
hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
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A CAUTION:
I
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts,
can be very hot. Don’t touch them. If you
do, you can
be burned.
Don’t run the engine
if there is a leak. If you run
the engine,
it could lose all coolant. That could
cause
an engine fie, and you could be burned.
Get
any ‘leak fixed before you drive the, vehicle.
I NOTICE:
I
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
I
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, check to
see if the electric engine fan@) are running. If the engine
is overheating, both fan(s) should be running. If they
aren’t, your vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level
isn’t at the COLD mark, add a 50/50 mixture of ckm
water (preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL”
(orange-colored, silicate-free) antifreeze at the coolant
recovery
tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for
more information.)
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be
dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid Eke alcohol, can boil 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
50/50 mix Q€ clean
water and
DEX-COOL antifreeze.
5-16
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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 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.
5-17
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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.
If you hear a hiss, .wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there is still some pressure left.
Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise until
it first stops. (Don't press down while turning the
pressure cap.)
I
Then keep turning
the pressure cap, but
now push down as
you
turn it. Remove the
pressure cap.
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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3. After the engine cools, open the coolant air bleed valve.
I 3.4L V6 (VIN Code X):
There are two bleed valves.
They
are located on the
thermostat
housing and
heater inlet pipe. The
.thermostat location is
shown here.
3.1L V6 (VIN Code M): There are two bleed valves.
One is located on the thermostat housing. The other is
located on the thermostat bypass tube.
i
5-20
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4. Fill the radiator with the
proper
mix, up to the
base of the filler neck.
If you see a stream
of ,
coolant co.ming from an
air bleed valve, close the
valve. Otherwise, close
the valves after the
radiator
is filled.
5. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and compartmept.
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.
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8. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch
out for the
engine fans.
9. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator
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.
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.
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When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until
you hear at least three clicks. Make sure you €ully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left off or improperly installed. This would
allow he1 to evaporate into the atmosphere. See
"Malfunction Indicator
Lamp" in the Index.
NOTICE:
I€ you need a new cap, be sue to get the right
type. Your dealer can get one for
you. If you get
the wrong type, it may not fit or have proper
venting, and
your fuel t&-@nd gmissions system
might be damaged. . ...._ ,. . 4.~*,-.:~7F4c:> i,,:;:r'.&:;.., I 5 .v,<. " 52;:. .' , "" $g7!fnt ,,
Checking Things Under the Hood
An electric fan under the hood can start up and
injure
YOU even when the engine is not running.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
Things
that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline,
oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer and "
other fluids, and plastic or rubber. You or others
could
be burned. Be careful not to drop or spill
things
that will burn onto a hot engine.
~ ~~~
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