Page 67 of 100
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:The diesel engine has a speci c coolant
ll procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If you haven’t found a problem yet, check to see
if coolant is visible in the surge tank. If coolant is visible
but the coolant level isn’t at or above the FULL COLD
mark, add a 50/50 mixture ofclean, drinkable waterand
DEX-COOL
®coolant at the coolant surge tank, but
be sure the cooling system, including the coolant surge
tank pressure cap, is cool before you do it. See
Engine Coolant on page 5-34for more information.
If no coolant is visible in the surge tank, add coolant
as follows:
{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
coolant surge tank pressure cap — even a
little — they can come out at high speed.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Never turn the cap when the cooling system,
including the coolant surge tank pressure cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system and coolant
surge tank pressure cap to cool if you ever
have to turn the pressure cap.
{CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to your cooling
system can be dangerous. Plain water, or
some other liquid such as alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mixture will. Your
vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the
proper coolant mixture. With plain water or the
wrong mixture, your engine could get too hot
but you would not get the overheat warning.
Your engine could catch re and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mixture of clean,
drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®coolant.
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Page 68 of 100
Notice:In cold weather, water can freeze and crack
the engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mixture.
{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. Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
Park the vehicle on a level
surface. You can remove
the coolant surge tank
pressure cap when the
cooling system, including
the coolant surge tank
pressure cap and upper
radiator hose, is no
longer hot.
1. Turn the pressure cap slowly counterclockwise (left)
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 cap, but now push down as
you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.
3. After the engine cools, open the air bleed valve on
the thermostat housing.
Fill with the proper mixture. Add coolant until you
see a steady stream of coolant coming from the
bleed valve.
4. Close the bleed valve.
5. Rinse or wipe the spilled coolant from the engine
and compartment.
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Page 69 of 100
6. Then fill the coolant surge tank with the proper
mixture, to slightly above the fill mark.7. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fan.
By this time, the coolant level inside the coolant
surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower, add
more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge tank
until the level reaches the FULL COLD mark.
8. Then replace the pressure cap.
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Page 70 of 100
Van Models
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is what
you will see:
A. Coolant Surge Tank
B. Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
C. Engine Cooling Fan
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling,
do not do anything else until it cools down.When the engine is cold,
the coolant level should
be at or above the
COLD FILL mark.
If it is not, you may have a leak at the pressure cap or in
the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump,
fuel operated heater (FOH) or somewhere else in the
cooling system.
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Page 71 of 100
{CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Do not touch them. If
you do, you can be burned.
Do not run the engine if there is a leak. If you
run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That
could cause an engine re, and you could be
burned. Get any leak xed before you drive the
vehicle.
If there seems to be no leak, start the engine again. See if
the engine cooling fan speed increases when idle speed
is doubled by pushing the accelerator pedal down. If it
does not, your vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.
Notice:Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant is not covered by your warranty.Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®may
cause premature engine, heater core, radiator and
fuel operated heater (FOH) corrosion. In addition,
the engine coolant may require changing sooner, at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months, whichever
occurs rst. Any repairs would not be covered by
your warranty. Always use DEX-COOL
®(silicate-free)
coolant in your vehicle.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Surge Tank
Notice:The diesel engine has a speci c coolant ll
procedure. Failure to follow this procedure could
cause your engine to overheat and be severely
damaged.
If you have not found a problem yet, but the coolant level
is not at the COLD FILL mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
clean, drinkable water and DEX-COOL
®engine coolant
at the coolant surge tank. SeeEngine Coolant on
page 5-34for more information.
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{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
components in the engine compartment.
Coolant contains ethylene glycol, and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot enough. Do not
spill coolant on a hot engine or components in
the engine compartment.
When the coolant in the coolant surge tank is at the
COLD FILL mark, start your vehicle.1. You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap
when the cooling system, including the coolant surge
tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no
longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly
counterclockwise about one full turn.
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 slowly, and
remove it.
3. Fill the coolant surge tank with the proper mixture,
up to the FULL COLD mark. SeeEngine Coolant
on page 5-34
4. With the coolant surge tank pressure cap off, start
the engine and let it run until you can feel the upper
radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine
cooling fan. By this time, the coolant level inside the
coolant surge tank may be lower. If the level is lower,
add more of the proper mixture to the coolant surge
tank until the level reaches the FULL COLD mark.
5. Then replace the pressure cap. Be sure the
pressure cap is hand-tight and fully seated.
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Scheduled Maintenance
Service MaintenanceIMaintenanceII
Change engine oil and filter. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-21. Reset oil life
system. SeeEngine Oil Life System on page 5-24.An Emission Control
Service.••
Allison Transmission
®only: Replace external transmission filter at the first
maintenance service performed on the vehicle.
Lubricate chassis components.See footnote #.••
Visually check for any leaks or damage.See footnote (a).••
Inspect engine air cleaner filter or change indicator, if equipped. If necessary,
replace filter. SeeEngine Air Cleaner/Filter on page 5-25.See footnote (b).•
Rotate tires and check inflation pressures and wear. See “Tire Inspection and
Rotation” in your owner manual. See “Tire Wear Inspection” inAt Least Once
a Month on page 6-12.••
Inspect brake system.See footnote (c).••
Check engine coolant and windshield washer fluid levels and add fluid as
needed.••
Perform any needed additional services. See “Additional Required Services”
in this section.••
Inspect suspension and steering components.See footnote (d).•
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(n)Change clutch uid (or every 24 months, whichever
occurs rst).
(p)Change automatic transmission uid and external
transmission lter if the vehicle is mainly driven
under one or more of these conditions:
-In heavy city traffic where the outside temperature
regularly reaches 90°F (32°C) or higher.
-In hilly or mountainous terrain.
-When doing frequent trailer towing.
-Uses such as found in taxi, police, or delivery
service.
(q)Check vent hose at transfer case for kinks and
proper installation.
(r)Drain, ush, and re ll cooling system. This service
can be complex; you should have your dealer perform
this service. See Engine Coolant on page 5-34 for
what to use. Inspect hoses. Clean radiator, condenser,
van model fuel operated heater (if equipped), pressure
cap, and ller neck. Pressure test the cooling system
and pressure cap. For van models, see Fuel Operated
Heater (FOH) (Van Models Only) on page 2-8.
(s)Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks,
or obvious damage. Replace belt if necessary.Owner Checks and Services
These owner checks and services should be performed
at the intervals specified to help ensure the safety,
dependability, and emission control performance of your
vehicle. Your GM Goodwrench
®dealer can assist you
with these checks and services.
Be sure any necessary repairs are completed at once.
Whenever any fluids or lubricants are added to your
vehicle, make sure they are the proper ones, as shown
inRecommended Fluids and Lubricants on page 6-15.
At Each Fuel Fill
It is important to perform these underhood checks at
each fuel ll.
Engine Oil Level Check
Check the engine oil level and add the proper oil if
necessary. SeeEngine Oil on page 5-21for further
details.
Notice:It is important to check your oil regularly
and keep it at the proper level. Failure to keep your
engine oil at the proper level can cause damage
to your engine not covered by your warranty.
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