2007 PONTIAC SOLSTICE engine

When to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
Inspect the air cleaner/lter element at each
scheduled MaintenanceIIservice interval and
replace the air cleaner/lter element at the
rst oil change after 50,000 miles (85 000 km).
If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect
the lter at each engine oil change.
How to Inspect the Engine
Air Cleaner/Filter
To inspect the air cleaner/lter remove the lter
from the vehicle and lightly shake the lter to
release loose dust and dirt. If the lter remains
caked with dirt, a new lter is required.
To inspect or replace the lter, open the clamps
that hold the cover on and lift off the cover.
Be sure to reinstall the cover tightly.
{CAUTION:
Operating the engine with the air
cleaner/lter off can cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner not only
cleans the air; it helps to stop ames if
the engine backres. If it is not there
and the engine backres, you could be
burned. Do not drive with it off, and be
careful working on the engine with the
air cleaner/lter off.
Notice:If the air cleaner/lter is off, a backre
can cause a damaging engine re. And, dirt
can easily get into your engine, which will
damage it. Always have the air cleaner/lter in
place when you are driving.
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Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is lled with
DEX-COOL®engine coolant. This coolant is
designed to remain in your vehicle for ve years or
150,000 miles (240 000 km), whichever occurs
rst, if you add only DEX-COOL
®extended
life coolant.
The following explains your cooling system and
how to add coolant when it is low. If you have
a problem with engine overheating, seeEngine
Overheating on page 260.
A 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and
DEX-COOL
®coolant will:
Give freezing protection down to−34°F (−37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 265°F (129°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.Notice:Using coolant other than DEX-COOL
®
may cause premature engine, heater core,
or radiator corrosion. In addition, the engine
coolant may require changing sooner, at
the rst maintenance service after each
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.
257

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean, drinkable water
and one-half DEX-COOL®coolant which will
not damage aluminum parts. If you use this coolant
mixture, you do not need to add anything else.
{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.Notice:If you use an improper coolant
mixture, your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost would not be
covered by your warranty. Too much water
in the mixture can freeze and crack the engine,
radiator, heater core, and other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a
year, have your dealer check your cooling
system.
Notice:If you use extra inhibitors and/or
additives in your vehicle’s cooling system,
you could damage your vehicle. Use only the
proper mixture of the engine coolant listed
in this manual for the cooling system. See
Part D: Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
on page 353for more information.
258

Checking Coolant
The coolant surge tank is located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
SeeEngine Compartment Overview on page 244
for more information on location.
{CAUTION:
Turning the surge tank pressure cap when
the engine and radiator are hot can allow
steam and scalding liquids to blow out
and burn you badly. Never turn the surge
tank pressure cap — even a little — when
the engine and radiator are hot.
The vehicle must be on a level surface. When
your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the COLD FILL line.
Do not overll the surge tank. Too much coolant
can result in an overow condition when the uid
is hot.
259

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper
DEX-COOL®coolant mixture at the coolant surge
tank, but only when the engine is cool. If the
coolant surge tank is empty, a special ll
procedure is necessary. SeeEngine Overheating
on page 260for instructions on “How to Add
Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank.”
{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.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight and fully seated.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and possible engine
damage may occur. Be sure the cap is properly
and tightly secured.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 244for more
information on location.
Engine Overheating
There is an engine coolant temperature warning
light on your vehicle’s instrument panel. See
Engine Coolant Temperature Warning Light on
page 137for more information.
260

If Steam Is Coming From Your Engine
{CAUTION:
Steam from an overheated engine can
burn you badly, even if you just open the
hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it. Just
turn it off and get everyone away from
the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until
there is no sign of steam or coolant
before you open the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is
overheated, the liquids in it can catch re.
You or others could be badly burned.
Stop your engine if it overheats, and get
out of the vehicle until the engine is cool.
Notice:If your engine catches re because
you keep driving with no coolant, your vehicle
can be badly damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
If No Steam Is Coming From Your
Engine
An engine coolant temperature warning can
indicate a serious problem. SeeEngine Coolant
Temperature Warning Light on page 137.
If you get an engine coolant temperature warning,
but see or hear no steam, the problem may not
be too serious. Sometimes the engine can
get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high-speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
If you get the engine coolant temperature warning
with no sign of steam, try this for a minute or so:
1. If your air conditioner is on, turn it off.
2. In heavy traffic, let the engine idle in
NEUTRAL (N) while stopped. If it is safe to
do so, pull off the road, shift to PARK (P)
or NEUTRAL (N) and let the engine idle.
3. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest
fan speed and open the windows as
necessary.
261

If you no longer have the overheat warning, you
can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for
about 10 minutes. If the warning does not come
back on, you can drive normally.
If the warning continues and you have not
stopped, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle
right away.
If there is still no sign of steam, you can idle the
engine for three minutes while you are parked.
If you still have the warning, turn off the engine
and get everyone out of the vehicle until it
cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but to get
service help right away.Cooling System
When you decide it is safe to lift the hood, here is
what you will see:
A. Electric Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
B. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
2.4L L4 Engine
262

A. Coolant Surge Tank and Pressure Cap
B. Electric Engine Cooling Fan (Out of View)
{CAUTION:
An electric engine cooling fan under the
hood can start up even when the engine is
not running and can injure you. Keep
hands, clothing, and tools away from any
underhood electric fan.
If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is
boiling, do not do anything else until it cools down.
The vehicle should be parked on a level surface.
2.0L L4 Engine
263