2003 BUICK LESABRE radiator

{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 Ð even a little Ð 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.
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
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 ®rst 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.
5-31

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-COOLž
coolant mixture, up to the base of the ®ller
neck. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-23for 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 ®lled.
6. Rinse or wipe any spilled coolant from the engine
and the compartment.
7. Replace the 3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield.
7.1. Remove the oil ®ll tube, with cap attached,
from the valve cover.
7.2. Insert the catch tab on the cover shield
under the bracket on the engine.
7.3. Place the hole in the cover shield over the
hole in the valve cover. Install oil ®ll tube and
cap by twisting clockwise.
7.4. If you have the supercharged engine, install
the nut in the center of the cover shield.
5-33

8. Then ®ll the coolant
recovery tank to the
FULL 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.
5-34

11. By this time, the coolant level inside the radiator
®ller neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper DEX-COOL
žcoolant mixture
through the ®ller neck until the level reaches
the base of the ®ller neck.
12. Then replace the
pressure cap. At any
time during this
procedure if coolant
begins to ¯ow out
of the ®ller neck,
reinstall the pressure
cap. Be sure the arrow
on the pressure cap
lines up like this.
Power Steering Fluid
The power steering ¯uid reservoir is located below the
generator and behind the accessory drive belt in the rear
of the engine compartment on the passenger's side of
the vehicle.
5-35

90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
qReplace engine air cleaner ®lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-60for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
93,000 Miles (155 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
96,000 Miles (160 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst.)An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-60for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
99,000 Miles (165 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 3 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control Service.
(See footnote *.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
qInspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
qReplace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
qChange automatic transaxle ¯uid and ®lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
þ In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) or
higher.
þ In hilly or mountainous terrain.
þ When doing frequent trailer towing.
þ Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
qIf you haven't used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven't
changed your automatic transaxle ¯uid, change both
the ¯uid and ®lter.
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
qDrain, ¯ush and re®ll cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs ®rst).
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-23for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test cooling system and
pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
qInspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-12

82,500 Miles (137 500 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-60for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
90,000 Miles (150 000 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
qReplace engine air cleaner ®lter. SeeEngine Air
Cleaner/Filter on page 5-18for more information.An Emission Control Service.
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-60for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
97,500 Miles (162 500 km)
qChange engine oil and ®lter (or every 12 months,
whichever occurs ®rst).An Emission Control
Service. (See footnote *.)
qRotate tires. SeeTire Inspection and Rotation on
page 5-60for proper rotation pattern and additional
information.(See footnote .) (See footnote +.)
100,000 Miles (166 000 km)
qInspect spark plug wires.An Emission Control
Service.
qReplace spark plugs.An Emission Control Service.
qChange automatic transaxle ¯uid and ®lter if the
vehicle is mainly driven under one or more of
these conditions:
þ In heavy city traffic where the outside
temperature regularly reaches 90ÉF (32ÉC) or
higher.
þ In hilly or mountainous terrain.
þ When doing frequent trailer towing.
þ Uses such as found in taxi, police or delivery
service.
qIf you haven't used your vehicle under severe service
conditions listed previously and, therefore, haven't
changed your automatic transaxle ¯uid, change both
the ¯uid and ®lter
150,000 Miles (240 000 km)
qDrain, ¯ush and re®ll cooling system (or every
60 months since last service, whichever occurs ®rst).
See
Engine Coolant on page 5-23for what to use.
Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser, pressure
cap and neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap.
An Emission Control Service.
qInspect engine accessory drive belt.An Emission
Control Service.
6-16

Fuel System Inspection
Inspect the complete fuel system for damage or leaks.
Engine Cooling System Inspection
Inspect the hoses and have them replaced if they
are cracked, swollen or deteriorated. Inspect all pipes,
®ttings and clamps; replace as needed. Clean the
outside of the radiator and air conditioning condenser.
To help ensure proper operation, a pressure test of
the cooling system and pressure cap is recommended
at least once a year.
Throttle System Inspection
Inspect the throttle system for interference or binding,
and for damaged or missing parts. Replace parts
as needed. Replace any components that have high
effort or excessive wear. Do not lubricate accelerator
and cruise control cables.
Brake System Inspection
Inspect the complete system. Inspect brake lines and
hoses for proper hook-up, binding, leaks, cracks,
cha®ng, etc. Inspect disc brake pads for wear and rotors
for surface condition. Inspect other brake parts,
including calipers, parking brake, etc. You may need to
have your brakes inspected more often if your driving
habits or conditions result in frequent braking.
6-22

Highway Hypnosis...........................................4-23
Hill and Mountain Roads..................................4-24
Hitches..........................................................4-38
HomeLink Transmitter, Programming..................2-39
HomeLink
žTransmitter....................................2-38
Hood............................................................5-10
Checking Things Under................................5-10
Release.....................................................5-11
Horn............................................................... 3-7
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery
Tank ..........................................................5-30
How to Add Coolant to the Radiator..................5-31
How to Add Fluid............................................5-23
How to Check Power Steering Fluid..................5-36
How to Check........................................5-21, 5-59
How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter.......5-18
How to Use This Manual...................................... ii
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly...................1-11
Hydroplaning..................................................4-19
I
If No Steam Is Coming From Your Engine..........5-27
If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine...............5-26
If the Light Is Flashing.....................................3-41
If the Light Is On Steady.................................3-42If You Are Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow.......4-30
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer.....................4-36
If You're Caught in a Blizzard...........................4-28
Ignition Positions.............................................2-22
Ignition Transaxle Lock Check..........................6-20
Inadvertent Power Battery Saver.......................3-19
Infants and Young Children, Restraints...............1-29
In¯ation -- Tire Pressure..................................5-58
Inspection......................................................6-22
Brake System.............................................6-22
Engine Cooling System................................6-22
Exhaust System..........................................6-21
Fuel System...............................................6-22
Part C - Periodic Maintenance.......................6-21
Steering, Suspension and Front Drive Axle
Boot and Seal.........................................6-21
Throttle System...........................................6-22
Instrument Panel Brightness.............................3-17
Instrument Panel.............................................3-33
Cluster.......................................................3-33
Overview..................................................... 3-4
Interior Lamps................................................3-17
J
Jump Starting.................................................5-42
7