
OPERATION
OPERATION - COOLING SYSTEM
The engine cooling systems primary purpose is to
maintain engine temperature in a range that will
provide satisfactory engine performance and emission
levels under all expected driving conditions. It also
provides hot water (coolant) for heater performance
and cooling for automatic transmission oil. It does
this by transferring heat from engine metal to cool-
ant, moving this heated coolant to the radiator, and
then transferring this heat to the ambient air.
²When engine is cold: thermostat is closed, cool-
ing system has no flow through the radiator. The
coolant bypass flows through the engine only.
²When engine is warm: thermostat is open, cool-
ing system has bypass flow and coolant flow through
radiator.
Coolant flow circuits for the 2.4L and 3.3/3.8L
engines are shown in (Fig. 2).
OPERATION - HOSE CLAMPS
The spring type hose clamp applies constant ten-
sion on a hose connection. To remove a spring type
hose clamp, use Special Tool 6094 or equivalent, con-
stant tension clamp pliers (Fig. 3) to compress the
hose clamp.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - COOLING SYSTEM
LEAK TEST
WARNING: THE WARNING WORDS ªDO NOT OPEN
HOTº ON THE RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP IS A
SAFETY PRECAUTION. WHEN HOT, PRESSURE
BUILDS UP IN COOLING SYSTEM. TO PREVENT
SCALDING OR INJURY, THE RADIATOR CAP
SHOULD NOT BE REMOVED WHILE THE SYSTEM
IS HOT OR UNDER PRESSURE.
Fig. 2 Cooling System Flow
1 - HEATER - REAR (3.3/3.8L OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT) 6 - WATER PUMP
2 - HEATER - FRONT 7 - RADIATOR
3 - ENGINE 8 - COOLANT RECOVERY/RESERVE CONTAINER
4 - THERMOSTAT 9 - COOLANT FLOW - PRESSURE CAP VACUUM
5 - ENGINE OIL COOLER (3.3/3.8L OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT) 10 - COOLANT FLOW - PRESSURE CAP RELIEF
7 - 2 COOLINGRS
COOLING (Continued)

SPECIFICATIONS
ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT TENSION
ACCESSORY
DRIVE BELTTENSION
2.4L ENGINE
Air Conditioning
Compressor/
GeneratorDynamic Tensioner
Power
SteeringNew
Belt534 - 756 N
178 - 212 Hz
(120 - 170
lbs.)
Used
Belt*356 - 534 N
145 - 178 Hz
(80 - 120 lbs)
*Belt is considered used after 15 minutes of run-in
time
3.3/3.8L ENGINES
Air Conditioning
CompressorDynamic
Tensioner
Generator/Water
Pump/Power
Steering
TORQUE
DESCRIPTION N´m Ft.
Lbs.In.
Lbs.
Bolt, Accessory Drive Belt
Tensioner Assembly (3.3/3.8L)28 - 250
Engine Coolant Temperature
Sensor7-60
Bolt, Generator & A/C Compressor
Drive Belt Tensioner Assembly
(2.4L)54 40 -
Bolts, Coolant Outlet Connector/
Thermostat Housing28 - 250
Bolts, Water Pump 12 - 105
Bolts , Water Pump Inlet Tube
(2.4L)12 - 105
Bolts, Water Pump Inlet Tube
(3.3/3.8L)28 - 250
Bolts, Water Pump Pulley (3.3/3.8L) 28 - 250
Screws, Radiator to A/C Condenser 5 - 45
Screws, Radiator Fan 5 - 45
Nuts, Radiator Mounting (Upper
Bracket)12 - 105
Fig. 5 Cooling System Service Locations
1 - COOLANT RECOVERY CONTAINER 3 - ENGINE OIL LEVEL DIPSTICK
2 - ENGINE OIL FILL CAP 4 - RADIATOR PRESSURE CAP
RSCOOLING7-5
COOLING (Continued)

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTIONS
BELT ROLLED OVER IN GROOVE
OR BELT JUMPS OFF1. Broken cord in belt 1. Replace belt
2. Belt too loose, or too tight 2. (a) Replace belt (auto-tensioned
belts.)
(b) Adjust power steering belt
tension (4 cyl. engine)
3. Misaligned pulleys 3. Align accessories
4. Non-uniform groove or eccentric
pulley4. Replace pulley
CLEANING
Clean all foreign debris from belt pulley grooves.
The belt pulleys must be free of oil, grease, and cool-
ants before installing the drive belt.
INSPECTION
Belt replacement under any or all of the following
conditions is required:
²Excessive wear
²Frayed cords
²Severe glazing
Poly-V Belt system may develop minor cracks
across the ribbed side (due to reverse bending). These
minor cracks are considered normal and acceptable.
Parallel cracks are not (Fig. 1).
NOTE: Do not use any type of belt dressing or
restorer on Poly-V Belts.
DRIVE BELTS - 2.4L
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CHECKING POWER
STEERING BELT TENSION
WARNING: DO NOT CHECK BELT TENSION WITH
ENGINE RUNNING.
Accessory drive belt tension can be measured with
Special Tool 8371 ± Belt Tension Gauge Adapter, and
the DRBIIItusing the following procedures:
(1) Connect 8371 to the DRBIIItfollowing the
instructions provided with tool.
(2) Place end of microphone probe approximately
2.54 cm (1 in.) from belt at belt center span location
shown in (Fig. 2).
(3) Pluck the belt a minimum of 3 times. (Use your
finger or other suitable tool) The frequency of the
belt in hertz (Hz) will display on DRBIIItscreen.
(4) Adjust belt to obtain proper frequency (ten-
sion). Refer to ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT TENSION
CHART for belt tension specifications.
ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT TENSION CHART -
2.4L
Accessory Drive Belt Belt Tension
Air Conditioning
Compressor/GeneratorDynamic Tensioner
Power Steering PumpNew178 - 212
Hz
Used* 145 - 178
Hz
*A belt is considered used after 15 minutes of run-in
time.
Fig. 1 Drive Belt Inspection
1 - NORMAL CRACKS - BELT OK
2 - NOT NORMAL CRACKS - REPLACE BELT
7 - 8 ACCESSORY DRIVERS
DRIVE BELTS (Continued)

REMOVAL
GENERATOR AND AIR CONDITIONING BELT
(1) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(2) Remove the drive belt shield (Fig. 8).
WARNING: DO NOT ALLOW DRIVE BELT TEN-
SIONER TO SNAP BACK, AS DAMAGE TO TEN-
SIONER AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY COULD
RESULT.
(3) Position a wrench on the belt tensioner lug
(Fig. 3).
(4) Release belt tension by rotating the tensioner
clockwise (Fig. 3).
(5) Remove belt.
(1) Carefully return tensioner to its relaxed posi-
tion.
POWER STEERING PUMP
(1) From top of the vehicle, loosen locking nuts (1)
and (2) (Fig. 4).
(2) From under the vehicle, loosen the pivot bolt
(3). Loosen adjusting bolt (4) until belt can be
removed.
INSTALLATION
GENERATOR AND AIR CONDITIONING BELT
(1) Install belt onto all pulleys except for the
crankshaft (Fig. 5).(2) Rotate belt tensioner clockwise until belt can
be installed onto the crankshaft pulley (Fig. 3).
Slowly release belt tensioner.
Fig. 2 Power Steering Belt - Center Span Location
1 - POWER STEERING BELT CENTER SPAN LOCATION
Fig. 3 A/C & GENERATOR BELT TENSION RELEASE
1 - BELT TENSIONER
2 - WRENCH
Fig. 4 Power Steering Pump Belt
1 - REAR LOCKING NUT
2 - FRONT LOCKING NUT
3 - PIVOT BOLT
4 - ADJUSTING BOLT
RSACCESSORY DRIVE7-9
DRIVE BELTS - 2.4L (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Route and position the drive belt onto all pul-
leys, except for the crankshaft (Fig. 10).
(2) Rotate belt tensioner counterclockwise until
belt can be installed onto the crankshaft pulley (Fig.
9). Slowly release belt tensioner.
(3) Verify belt is properly routed and engaged on
all pulleys (Fig. 11).
(4) Install drive belt shield (Fig. 8) and lower vehi-
cle.
BELT TENSIONER - 3.3/3.8L
REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(2) Remove the drive belt shield.
(3) Remove the drive belt. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/
ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS - REMOVAL)
(4) Remove the belt tensioner (Fig. 12).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the belt tensioner and bolt (Fig. 12).
Tighten bolt to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.).
(2) Install the drive belt. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/
ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS - INSTALLA-
TION)
(3) Install the drive belt shield.
(4) Lower the vehicle.
Fig. 10 ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT
1 - DRIVE BELT
2 - POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY
3 - BELT TENIONER PULLEY
4 - IDLER PULLEY
5 - GENERATOR PULLEY
6 - AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR PULLEY
7 - CRANKSHAFT PULLEY
8 - WATER PUMP PULLEY
Fig. 11 3.3/3.8L Belt Routing
1 - GENERATOR PULLEY
2 - A/C COMPRESSOR PULLEY
3 - CRANKSHAFT PULLEY
4 - TENSIONER PULLEY
5 - WATER PUMP PULLEY
6 - P/S PUMP PULLEY
7 - IDLER PULLEY
Fig. 12 BELT TENSIONER - 3.3/3.8L
1 - BELT TENSIONER
2 - BOLT
7 - 12 ACCESSORY DRIVERS
DRIVE BELTS - 3.3/3.8L (Continued)

ENGINE
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ENGINE COOLING
SYSTEM
Establish what driving condition caused the cooling
system complaint. The problem may be caused by an
abnormal load on the system such as the following:
prolonged idle, very high ambient temperature, slight
tail wind at idle, slow traffic speed, traffic jam, high
speed, steep grade.
DRIVING TECHNIQUES
To avoid overheating the cooling system:
(1) Idle with A/C off when temperature gauge is at
end of normal range.
(2) Do not increase engine speed for more air flow
and coolant flow because the electric motor fan sys-
tems are not responsive to engine RPM. The added
cooling from higher coolant flow rate is more than
offset by increased heat rejection (engine heat added
to coolant).
TRAILER TOWING
Consult the owner's manual under Trailer Towing
and do not exceed specified limits.
VISUAL INSPECTION
If the cooling system problem is not caused by a
driving condition, perform a visual inspection to
determine if there was a recent service or accident
repair, including the following:
²Loose/damaged water pump drive belt
²Incorrect cooling system refilling (trapped air or
low level)
²Brakes possibly dragging
²Damaged hoses
²Loose/damaged hose clamps
²Damaged/incorrect engine thermostat
²Damaged cooling fan motor, fan blade and fan
shroud
²Damaged head gasket
²Damaged water pump
²Damaged radiator
²Damaged coolant recovery system
²Damaged heater core
²Open/shorted electrical circuits
If the visual inspection reveals none of the above
as cause for a cooling system complaint, refer to the
following diagnostic charts.
COOLING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS CHART
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
PRESSURE CAP IS BLOWING
OFF STEAM AND/OR COOLANT.
TEMPERATURE GAUGE READING
MAY BE ABOVE NORMAL BUT
NOT HIGH. COOLANT LEVEL MAY
BE HIGH IN COOLANT RESERVE/
OVERFLOW TANK.1. Pressure relief valve in radiator
cap is defective, or was not
properly seated.1. Check condition of radiator cap
and cap seal. (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ENGINE/RADIATOR
PRESSURE CAP - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING) Replace cap as
necessary.
2. Incorrect cap was installed. 2. Replace cap as necessary.
3. Incorrect coolant mixture. 3. Check concentration level of the
coolant. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/
ENGINE/COOLANT - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING) Adjust the ethylene
glycol-to-water ratio as required.
COOLANT LOSS TO THE
GROUND WITHOUT PRESSURE
CAP BLOWOFF. GAUGE IS
READING HIGH OR HOT.1. Coolant leaks in radiator, cooling
system hoses, water pump or
engine.1. Pressure test and repair as
necessary. (Refer to 7 - COOLING -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)
7 - 14 ENGINERS

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
DETONATION OR PRE-IGNITION
(NOT CAUSED BY IGNITION
SYSTEM). GAUGE MAY NOT BE
READING HIGH.1. Engine overheating. 1. Check reason for overheating
and repair as necessary.
2. Freeze point of coolant not
correct. Mixture too concentrated or
too diluted.2. Check concentration level of the
coolant. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/
ENGINE/COOLANT - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING) Adjust the ethylene
glycol-to-water ratio as required.
3. Incorrect cooling system
pressure cap.3. Install correct pressure cap.
HOSE(S) COLLAPSE AS ENGINE
COOLS DOWN.1. Vacuum created in cooling
system on engine cool-down is not
being relieved through coolant
recovery system.1. (a) Pressure cap relief valve
stuck. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/
ENGINE/RADIATOR PRESSURE
CAP - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING)
Replace as necessary.
(b) Hose between the radiator and
overflow container is plugged or
pinched. Clean and repair as
necessary.
(c) Vent at coolant reserve/overflow
container is plugged. Clean vent
and repair as necessary.
(d) Reserve/overflow container is
internally blocked. Clean and repair
as necessary.
INADEQUATE AIR CONDITIONER
PERFORMANCE (COOLING
SYSTEM SUSPECTED).1. Radiator and/or A/C condenser is
restricted, obstructed, or dirty
(insects, leaves, etc.).1. Remove restriction and/or clean
as necessary.
2. Electrical radiator fan not
operating when A/C is operated.2. For test procedure (Refer to
appropriate Diagnostic Information).
Repair as necessary.
3. Engine is overheating (heat may
be transferred from radiator to A/C
condenser). High underhood
temperatures due to engine
overheating may also transfer heat
to A/C components.3. Correct overheating condition.
4. All models are equipped with air
seals at the radiator and/or A/C
condenser. If these seals are
missing or damaged, not enough
air flow will be pulled through the
radiator and A/C condenser.4. Check for missing or damaged air
seals and repair as necessary.
INADEQUATE HEATER
PERFORMANCE.1. Check for a Diagnostic trouble
code (DTC).1. For procedures, (Refer to
appropriate Diagnostic Information).
Repair as necessary.
2. Coolant level low. 2. (Refer to 7 - COOLING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE) Repair
as necessary.
RSENGINE7-15
ENGINE (Continued)

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
3. Obstructions in heater hose
fitting at engine or at heater core.3. Remove heater hoses at both
ends and check for obstructions.
Repair as necessary.
4. Heater hose kinked. 4. Locate kinked area and repair as
necessary.
5. Water pump is not pumping
coolant to heater core.5. When the engine is fully warmed
up, both heater hoses should be hot
to the touch. If only one of the
hoses is hot, the water pump may
not be operating correctly. Replace
components as necessary.
6. Air trapped in heater core. 6. (Refer to 7 - COOLING -
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING -
COOLING SYSTEM DEAERATION)
HEAT ODOR 1. Various heat shields are used at
certain driveline components. One
or more of these shields may be
missing.1. Locate missing shields and
replace or repair as necessary.
2. Temperature gauge reading
above the normal range.2. Refer to Gauge Is Reading High
in Temperature Gauge Indicatication
Diagnosis Chart.
3. Radiator fan operating
incorrectly.3. (Refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/
RADIATOR FAN - OPERATION)
Repair as necessary.
4. Undercoating been applied to an
unnecessary component.4. Clean undercoating as necessary.
5. Engine may be running rich,
causing the catalytic converter to
overheat5. (Refer to Appropriate Diagnostic
Information) Repair as necessary.
POOR DRIVEABILITY
(THERMOSTAT POSSIBLY STUCK
OPEN). GAUGE MAY BE READING
LOW.1. The engine thermostat must be
operating correctly for proper
driveability, clean vehicle emissions,
and the prevention of sludge
buildup in the engine oil. Check for
a diagnostic trouble code.1. (Refer to Appropriate Diagnostic
Information) Replace thermostat, if
necessary.
STEAM IS COMING FROM FRONT
OF VEHICLE NEAR GRILL AREA
WHEN WEATHER IS WET,
ENGINE WARMED UP AND
RUNNING WITH VEHICLE
STATIONARY, OR JUST SHUT
OFF. TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS
NORMAL.1. During wet weather, moisture
(snow, ice, rain, or condensation)
on the radiator will evaporate when
the thermostat opens. The
thermostat opening allows heated
coolant into the radiator. When the
moisture contacts the hot radiator,
steam may be emitted. This usually
occurs in cold weather with no fan
or air flow to blow it away.1. Occasional steam emitting from
this area is normal. No repair is
necessary.
7 - 16 ENGINERS
ENGINE (Continued)