2003 CHEVROLET IMPALA engine

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator
Notice:Your engine has a speci®c radiator
®ll 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 near the diagonal cross brace
on the passenger's side of the vehicle. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12
1. 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.
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2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push
down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
{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.3. If you have the 3800 V6 engine, remove the
3800 Series II V6 engine cover shield to access the
bleed valve.
3.1. Clean the area around the engine oil ®ll tube
and cap before removing. Twist the oil ®ll
tube, with cap attached, counterclockwise
and remove it.
3.2. Lift the engine cover shield at the front, slide
the catch tab out of the engine bracket and
remove the cover shield.
3.3. Put the oil ®ll tube, with cap attached, in the
valve cover oil ®ll hole until you're ready to
replace the cover shield.
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4. After the engine cools, open the coolant air bleed
valve or valves.
3400 V6 engine: There are two bleed valves. One
is located on the thermostat housing. The other
is located on the thermostat bypass tube.3800 V6 engine: There is one bleed valve. It is
located on the thermostat housing. 3400 V6 BLEED
VALVE #1
3400 V6 BLEED
VALVE #2
3800 Series II V6 Bleed Valve
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5. Fill the radiator with the proper DEX-COOLž
coolant mixture, up to the base of the ®ller
neck. SeeEngine Coolant on page 5-27
If you see a stream of coolant coming from an air
bleed valve, close the valve. Otherwise, close
the valves after the radiator is ®lled.
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.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.
8. Then ®ll 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.
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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
®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.
13. Check the coolant in the recovery tank. The level in
the coolant recovery tank should be at the HOT
mark when the engine is hot or at the COLD mark
when the engine is cold.
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Power Steering Fluid
The power steering ¯uid reservoir is located toward the
rear of the engine compartment, on the passenger's
side of the vehicle.
It will have the above symbol on its cap. See
Engine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering ¯uid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise. A ¯uid loss in this system
could indicate a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired. See
Engine Compartment Overview
on page 5-12for reservoir location.
How to Check Power Steering Fluid
Turn the key off, let the engine compartment cool down,
wipe the cap and the top of the reservoir clean, then
unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick with a clean rag.
Replace the cap and completely tighten it. Then
remove the cap again and look at the ¯uid level on
the dipstick.
When the 3400 V6 engine compartment is hot, the level
should be at the H (hot) mark. When it's cold, the
level should be at the C (cold) mark. If the ¯uid is at the
ADD mark, you should add ¯uid.
For the 3800 V6 engine, the level should be at the HOT
mark when the engine compartment is hot. If the ¯uid
is at the ADD mark, you should add ¯uid.
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What to Use
To determine what kind of ¯uid to use, seePart D:
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-16.
Always use the proper ¯uid. Failure to use the proper
¯uid can cause leaks and damage hoses and seals.
Windshield Washer Fluid
What to Use
When you need windshield washer ¯uid, be sure to read
the manufacturer's instructions before use. If you will
be operating your vehicle in an area where the
temperature may fall below freezing, use a ¯uid that has
sufficient protection against freezing.
Adding Washer Fluid
When this message is displayed, it means the vehicle is
low on windshield washer ¯uid. You should add more
windshield washer ¯uid soon.
Open the cap with the
washer symbol on it. Add
washer ¯uid until the
tank is full.
Engine
Compartment Overview on
page 5-12
for more
information on location. United States
Canada
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Notice:
·When using concentrated washer ¯uid,
follow the manufacturer's instructions for
adding water.
·Don't mix water with ready-to-use washer ¯uid.
Water can cause the solution to freeze and
damage your washer ¯uid tank and other parts
of the washer system. Also, water doesn't
clean as well as washer ¯uid.
·Fill your washer ¯uid tank only three-quarters
full when it's very cold. This allows for
expansion if freezing occurs, which could
damage the tank if it is completely full.
·Don't use engine coolant (antifreeze) in your
windshield washer. It can damage your
washer system and paint.
Brakes
Brake Fluid
Your brake master cylinder reservoir is ®lled with DOT-3
brake ¯uid. SeeEngine Compartment Overview on
page 5-12for the location of the reservoir.
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