1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM radiator

A CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling 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 surge tank is boiling,
don’t
do anything else until it cools down.
I
The coolant level should be at or above FULL COLD.
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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LA CAUTION: I
-1 -
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
fire, and you could be burned.
Get
any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
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 cooling 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 50/50 mixture of
clean water (preferably distilled) and DEX-COOL@
coolant at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling
system, including the coolant surge
tank pressure cap, is
cool before you do it. (See “Engine Coolant” in the
Index for more information.)
’ /$ CAUTION:
-
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.
5-18

I NOTICE: I
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater
core and other parts. So
use the recommended coolant.
/d 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. -1
1
1. You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap
when the cooling system, including the coolant surge
tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
Turn the pressure cap slowly about
one-quarter
turn to the left and then stop.
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means
there
is still some pressure left.
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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
cooling
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 mixture 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.
Check the level in the surge
tank when the cooling
system has cooled down.
If the coolant isn’t at the
proper level, repeat Steps
1 to 3 and reinstall the
pressure cap or see your dealer.
5-22

3100 Engine
The 3100 engine oil fill cap is on the front of the engine,
behind
the radiator.
Be sure to 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.
What Kind of Engine Oil to Use
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.
A
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:
6-16

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.
A 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 50BO mixture of clean water and
DEX-COOL@ coolant.
6-26

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.
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’s side
of the engine compartment.
6-27

Adding Coolant
Wrning 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 the light comes on, it
means you’re low on
engine coolant.
See “Low Coolant Warning Light” in the Index.
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL@
coolant mixture at the surge tank, but only when the
engine is cool.
A CAUTION:
L
I
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 0n.a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is tight.
6-28