1997 PONTIAC PONTIAC engine coolant

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
NOTICE:
Your engine has a specific radiator fill procedure.
Failure to
follow this procedure could cause your
engine to overheat
and be severely damaged.
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 pressureleft.
2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down
as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
1. You can remove the pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the pressure
cap and upper radiator
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[ON:
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 coolant air bleed valve. 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.
3800 V6 (VIN Code
K) & 3800 V6' supercharged
engine (VIN Code
1): There is one bleed valve.
It is located on the thermostat housing.
4. Fill the 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 valve. Otherwise, close the
valves after the radiator
is filled.
5. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
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6. Then fill the coolant recovery tank.
7. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the pressure cap
off.
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.
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If a Tire Goes Flat
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
mows
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. It’s unusual for
a tire to “blow out”
while you’re driving,
especially
if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes
out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly.
But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few
tips about what to expect and what to do:
If
a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that
pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot
off
the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly.
Steer to maintain lane position, and then gently brake to
a stop well out
of the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a
slud and may require the same correction you’d use in a
skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the
accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be
very bumpy and
noisy, but you can still steer. Gently
brake to a stop
-- well off the road if possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your
jacking equipment to change a
flat tire safely.
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Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your Pontiac. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There
is also technical information about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6-2
6-3 6-5
6-5
6-7
6- 14
6-2 1
6-26
6-32
6-33 6-36
6-37
6-37 6-44
6-46
Doing Your Own Service Work
What Kind of Fuel to Use
Using Fuel in Foreign Countries
Where to Put the Fuel and Filling the Tank
Checking
Things Under the Hood
Checking Your Engine Oil
Automatic Transaxle Fluid
Engine Coolant
Where to Fill the Windshield Washer Fluid
Important Brake Information
Information on Your Vehicle’s Battery
Tips on Vehicle Storage
Bulb Replacement Procedures
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
How and When to Check Tire Inflation 6-50
6-52
6-55
6-58
6-59
6-61
6-63
6-64
6-65 6-66
6-66
6-72
6-72
6-73
6-73 When
it is Time to Buy New Tires
Wheel Alignment
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Care of the Safety Belts and Built-in
Child Restraint
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
How to Clean Aluminum Wheels
Underbody Maintenance
Recommended Appearance
Care Materials
Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
The Electrical System
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Replacement Bulb Types for Your Vehicle
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Specifications
Normal Replacement Parts
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When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right
(clockwise) until you hear at least three clicks. Make
sure you fully install the cap.
NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure 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 tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
Checking Things Under the Hood
A CAUTION:
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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When you open the hood of the 3 100 engine, you’ll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid
B. Radiator Fill Cap
C. Remote Positive Terminal
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
E. Engine Oil Fill Cap
E Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
H. Brake Fluid Reservoir
I. Engine Coolant Reservoir
J. Air Cleaner
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When you open the hood of the 3800 engine, you’ll see:
A. Windshield Washer Fluid E Engine Oil Fill Cap
€3. Radiator Fill Cap G. Automatic Transaxle Dipstick
C. Remote Positive Battery Terminal H. Brake Fluid Reservoir
D. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir I. Engine Coolant Reservoir
E. Engine Oil Dipstick J. Air Cleaner
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