1998 GMC SIERRA engine coolant

Checking Things Under the Hood
I I A CAUTION:
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the auxiliary
engine 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.
I
A CAUTION:
I
I
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and
start a fire. These include liquids like gasoline or
diesel fuel, 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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“VORTEC” 4300,5000,5700 Engine, “VORTEC” 5700 engine shown, locations for other engines similar.
When you lift
up the hood you’ll see:
A. Battery
G. Automatic Transmission L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
B. Air Cleaner
Dipstick
(If Equipped) (If Equipped)
C. Radiator Cap H. Fan M. Windshield Washer Fluid
D. Coolant Recovery Tank I. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir Reservoir
E. Air Filter Restriction Indicator J. Engine Oil Fill N. FuseRelay Center
F. Engine Oil Dipstick K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
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“VORTEC” 7400 Engine
A. Battery
B. Coolant Recovery Tank
C. Air Cleaner
D. Radiator Cap
E. Air Filter Restriction Indicator
F. Engine Oil Dipstick
G. Automatic Transmission L. Clutch Fluid Reservoir
Dipstick (If Equipped)
(If Equipped)
H. Engine Oil Fill M. Windshield Washer
I. Fan Fluid Reservoir
J. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir N. Fusemelay Center
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
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What to Do with Used Oil
Did you know that used engine oil contains certain
e.lements
that may be unhealthy for your skin and could
even cause cancer? Don’t let used oil stay on your skin
for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and
water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properly throw
away clothing or rags containing used engine oil. (See
the manufacturer’s warnings about
the use and disposal
of oil products.)
Used oil can be a real threat
to the environment. If you
change your own
oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil
from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil
by putting
it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into
sewers, or into streams
or bodies of water. Instead,
recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil.
If
you have a problem properly disposing of your used oil,
ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling
center for help.
Air Cleaner (Gasoline Engines)
Your air cleaner is located between the battery and
coolant recovery tank.
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How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you may need to add some lubricant.
When the differential is cold, add enough lubricant to
raise the level to 1/2 inch (12
mrn) below the filler
plug hole.
When the differential is at operating temperature
(warm), add enough lubricant to raise the level to the
bottom
of the filler plug hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine what
kind of lubricant to use. See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The cooling s stem in your vehicle is filled with
DEX-COOL engine coolant. This coolant is designed
~
to remain in your vehicle for 5 years or 150,000 miles I
(240 000 km) whichever occurs first, if you add only ~
DEX-COOL’ extended life coolant.
8
The following explains your cooling system and how
to add coolant when it is low. If you have a problem
i
with engine overheating, see “Engine Overheating” in 1
the Index.
A 50/50 mixture of water and DEX-COOL@ coolant will: 1
0 Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 265 OF (1 29 O C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
0 Let the warning gages work as they should.
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NOTICE:
When adding coolant, it is important that you use
only
DEX-COOL@ (silicate-free) coolant.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL 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. Damage caused by the use
of coolant other than DEX-COOL@ is not
covered by your new vehicle warranty.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL@ coolant which
won’t damage aluminum
parts. If you use this mixture,
you don’t need to add anything else.
CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling system
can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other
liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper
coolant mixture will. Your vehicle’s coolant
warning system is set for the proper coolant
mixture. With plain water or the wrong mixture,
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 mixture of clean water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
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- ~ ~~
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mixture, your
engine could overheat and be badly damaged.
The repair cost wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty.
Too much water in the mixture can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
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
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, see “Checking
Coolant”
in the Diesel Engine Supplement.
,:. . .,. ..... I.. .;> .:... ...,,.. ::l:. ..
.. .
The coolant recovery tank is located on the passenger’s
side at the rear corner
of the engine compartment.
When your engine
is cold, the coolant level should be at
the
COLD mark, or a little higher. When your engine is
warm,
the level should be up to the HOT mark, or a
little higher.
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Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the coolant recovery tank.
,
A CAUTION:
'krning 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 coolant at the radiator.
Never turn the radiator pressure cap
-- even a
little
-- when the engine and radiator are hot.
Add coolant mixture at the recovery tank, but be careful
not to
spill it.
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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