2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO radiator cap

5-14
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling,
don't do anything else until it cools down. The vehicle
should be parked on a level surface.
The coolant level should be at or above the COLD mark
on the coolant recovery tank. To check the coolant level,
look for the COLD mark on the side of the coolant
recovery tank that faces the engine. Check to make sure
that the coolant level is up to the COLD fill level on the
side of the coolant recovery tank. If it isn't, you may
have a leak at the pressure cap or in the radiator hoses,
heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in
the cooling system.
CAUTION:
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.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on,
check to see if the electric engine cooling fans are
running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should
be running. If they aren't, your vehicle needs service.
NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn't covered by your warranty.
See ªOverheated Engine Protection Operating
Modeº in the Index.

5-17
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.

5-18 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.
The radiator pressure cap is located in the front of the
engine compartment on the passenger's side of the
vehicle, near the diagonal cross brace. 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.

5-21
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
valves after the radiator is filled.6. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
7. If you have the 3800 V6 engine, 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.

5-22
8. Then fill the coolant recovery tank to the
COLD mark.
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.

6-
6-1
Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. 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 Service
6
-3 Fuel
6
-5 Fuels in Foreign Countries
6
-5 Filling Your Tank
6
-8 Filling a Portable Fuel Container
6
-8 Checking Things Under the Hood
6
-12 Engine Oil
6
-19 Engine Air Cleaner/Filter
6
-21 Passenger Compartment Air Filter
(If Equipped)
6
-22 Automatic Transaxle Fluid
6
-26 Engine Coolant
6
-30 Radiator Pressure Cap
6
-30 Power Steering Fluid
6
-31 Windshield Washer Fluid
6
-33 Brakes6
-36 Battery
6
-37 Bulb Replacement
6
-41 Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
6
-42 Tires
6
-52 Appearance Care
6
-53 Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
6
-55 Care of Safety Belts
6
-56 Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
6
-59 Finish Damage
6
-60 GM Vehicle Care/Appearance Materials
6
-61 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
6
-61 Service Parts Identification Label
6
-62 Electrical System
6
-70 Replacement Bulbs
6
-70 Capacities and Specifications
6
-71 Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

6-10 Engine Compartment Overview
When you open the hood on the 3400 V6 (Code E) engine, you'll see the following:
A. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
B. Lower Underhood Fuse Block
C. Upper Underhood Fuse BlockD. Radiator Pressure Cap
E. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
G. Engine Oil Fill CapH. Engine Oil Dipstick
I. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter

6-11
When you open the hood on the 3800 V6 (Code K) engine, you'll see the following:
A. Windshield Washer
Fluid Reservoir
B. Lower Underhood Fuse Block
C. Upper Underhood Fuse Block
D. Radiator Pressure CapE. Engine Coolant Recovery Tank
F. Power Steering Fluid Reservoir
(low in engine compartment)
G. Engine Oil DipstickH. Engine Oil Fill Cap
I. Transaxle Fluid Dipstick
J. Brake Master Cylinder Reservoir
K. Engine Air Cleaner/Filter