Page 230 of 365
5-12
Cooling System
When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what
you'll see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fans
B. Radiator Pressure Cap
C. Coolant Recovery Tank
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 recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down.
When the engine is
cold, the coolant level
should be at or above
the COLD mark on the
coolant recovery tank.
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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5-15
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.
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
mixture directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling
system is cool before you do it.
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 radiator
pressure cap
-- even a little -- they can come out
at high speed. Never turn the cap when the
cooling system, including the radiator pressure
cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and
radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever have to
turn the pressure cap.
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Page 234 of 365
5-16 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.
See ªEngine
Compartment
Overviewº in the
Index for more
information
on location.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. 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 pressure left.
2. Then keep turning
the pressure cap,
but now push down
as you turn it.
Remove the
pressure cap.
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5-18
4. After the engine
cools, open
the coolant air
bleed valve.
There is one bleed valve. It is located on the
thermostat housing.
5. Fill the radiator
with the proper
DEX
-COOL
coolant mixture, up
to the base of the
filler neck. See
ªEngine Coolantº
in the Index for
more information
about the proper
coolant mixture.If you see a stream of coolant coming from an
air bleed valve, close the valve. Otherwise, close the
valve after the radiator is filled.
6. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
7. Replace the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield.
A. Remove the oil fill tube, with cap attached, from
the valve cover.
B. Insert the catch tab on the cover shield under the
bracket on the engine.
C. Place the hole in the cover shield over the hole in
the valve cover. Install oil fill tube and cap by
twisting clockwise.
D. If you have the supercharged engine, install the
nut in the center of the cover shield.
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5-19
8. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the
COLD mark on the coolant recovery tank.
9. Put the cap back on the coolant recovery tank, but
leave the radiator pressure cap off.10. Start the engine and let it run until you can feel the
upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the
engine cooling fans.
11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX
-COOL coolant mixture
through the filler neck until the level reaches the
base of the filler neck.
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6-11
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal
D. Underhood Electrical Center (Passenger's Side)
E. Radiator Pressure Cap
F. Engine Coolant Recovery TankG. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
H. Engine Oil Dipstick
I. Engine Oil Fill Cap
J. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
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Page 264 of 365
6-13
A. Windshield Washer Fluid Reservoir
B. Battery
C. Remote Positive (+) Battery Terminal
D. Underhood Electrical Center (Passenger's Side)
E. Radiator Pressure Cap
F. Engine Coolant Recovery TankG. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
H. Engine Oil Dipstick
I. Engine Oil Fill Cap
J. Automatic Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
K. Brake Fluid Reservoir
L. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
Before closing the hood, be sure all the filler caps are on properly.
Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly.
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Page 281 of 365

6-30
CAUTION:
Turning 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.
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.
Occasionally check the coolant level in the radiator.
For information on how to add coolant to the radiator,
see ªCooling Systemº in the Index.
Radiator Pressure Cap
NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure
-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator
filler neck.
See ªEngine Compartment Overviewº in the Index for
more information on location.
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