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Engine Cooling System Specifications Buick Riviera VIII

Cooling System (Mechanical)

MODEL IDENTIFICATION

Note. The 4th digit of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) identifies the body code.

ApplicationBody Code
BUICK
Century (1996)A
Century (1997)W
LeSabreH
Park AvenueC
RegalW
RivieraG
Roadmaster (1996)B
SkylarkN
CADILLAC
ConcoursK
CateraV
DeVilleK
EldoradoE
Fleetwood (1996)D
SevilleK
CHEVROLET
Berretta (1996)L
CamaroF
Caprice (1996)B
CavalierJ
Corsica (1996)L
CorvetteY
Impala (1996)B
LuminaW
MalibuN
Monte CarloW
OLDSMOBILE
AchievaN
AuroraG
Cutlass (1997)N
Cutlass Ciera (1996)A
Cutlass SupremeW
Eighty Eight (88)H
LSSH
Ninety Eight (98) (1996)C
Regency (1997)H
PONTIAC
BonnevilleH
FirebirdF
Grand AmN
Grand PrixW
SunbirdJ
SunfireJ
SATURN
SaturnZ

MODEL-TO-BODY CODE IDENTIFICATION

CAUTIONWhen battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION before disconnecting battery.

BELT ADJUSTMENT

Application(1) Lbs. (kg)
Serpentine Belt (2)
1.9L50-65 (23-30)
2.2L "A" Body50-70 (23-32)
2.2L "J" & "L" Bodies63-77 (29-35)
2.4L50 (23)
3.1L "A" Body(3)
3.1L "L" & "N" Bodies50-70 (23-32)
3.1L "W" Body30-50 (14-23)
3.4L35-55 (16-25)
3.8L "C", "G" & "H" Bodies50-70 (23-32)
3.8L "F" & "W" Bodies(3)
4.0L, 4.3L & 5.7L(3)
4.6L65 (29)
(1) Specifications are for NEW belts only. Measure tension using belt tension gauge. (2) Serpentine belt is automatically adjusted by tensioner. If tension is not as specified, check belt operating length and tensioner operating range. Replace belt or tensioner as necessary. (3) Adjustment os serpentine belt is not necessary. Belt tension is maintained by spring-tensioned idler pulley (some equipped with belt wear indicator).
(1)Specifications are for NEW belts only. Measure tension using belt tension gauge.
(2)Serpentine belt is automatically adjusted by tensioner. If tension is not as specified, check belt operating length and tensioner operating range. Replace belt or tensioner as necessary.
(3)Adjustment os serpentine belt is not necessary. Belt tension is maintained by spring-tensioned idler pulley (some equipped with belt wear indicator).

BELT ADJUSTMENT 1996

Application(1) Lbs. (kg)
Serpentine Belt (2)
1.9L50-65 (23-30)
2.2L, 2.4L, 3.0L, 4.0L, 4.6L & 5.7L(3)
3.1L30-50 (14-23)
3.4L35-55 (16-25)
3.8L "C", "G" & "H" Bodies50-70 (23-32)
3.8L "F" Body(3)
3.8L "W" Body30-50 (14-23)
(1) Specifications are for NEW belts only. Measure tension using belt tension gauge. (2) Serpentine belt is automatically adjusted by tensioner. If tension is not as specified, check belt operating length and tensioner operating range. Replace belt or tensioner as necessary. (3) Adjustment os serpentine belt is not necessary. Belt tension is maintained by spring-tensioned idler pulley (some equipped with belt wear indicator).
(1)Specifications are for NEW belts only. Measure tension using belt tension gauge.
(2)Serpentine belt is automatically adjusted by tensioner. If tension is not as specified, check belt operating length and tensioner operating range. Replace belt or tensioner as necessary.
(3)Adjustment os serpentine belt is not necessary. Belt tension is maintained by spring-tensioned idler pulley (some equipped with belt wear indicator).

BELT ADJUSTMENT 1997

ApplicationSpecification
Coolant Replacement Interval
1996100,000 Miles
1997150,000 Miles
Coolant Capacity (1)
1.9L7.0 Qts. (6.6L)
2.2L "A" Body8.7 Qts. (8.3L)
2.2L "L" & "N" Bodies13.1 Qts. (12.4L)
2.2L All Others10.5 Qts. (10.0L)
2.4L "J" Body10.5 Qts. (10.0L)
2.4L "N" Body11.3 Qts. (10.7L)
3.0L10.6 Qts. (10.0L)
3.1L "A" Body11.6 Qts. (11.0L)
3.1L "L" & "N" Bodies13.6 Qts. (12.9L)
3.1L "W" Body (1996) W/3T40 A/T12.7 Qts. (12.0L)
3.1L "W" Body (1996) W/4T60-E A/T12.5 Qts. (11.8L)
3.1L "W" Body (1997) Century11.0 Qts. (10.4L)
3.1L "W" Body (1997) Grand Prix & Regal11.0 Qts. (10.4L)
3.1L "W" Body (1997) Cutlass Supreme, Lumina13.6 Qts. (12.9L)
3.1L "W" Body (1997) Monte Carlo13.6 Qts. (12.9L)
3.4L12.3 Qts. (11.6L)
3.8L (1996) Except "W" Body13.0 Qts. (12.3L)
3.8L (1996) "W" Body10.7 Qts. (10.1L)
3.8L (1997) "C", "G" & "H" Bodies13.0 Qts. (12.3L)
3.8L (1997) "F" Body A/T12.3 Qts. (11.6L)
3.8L (1997) "F" Body M/T12.5 Qts. (11.8L)
3.8L (1997) "W" Body10.2 Qts. (9.6L)
4.0L13.0 Qts. (12.3L)
4.6L12.5 Qts. (11.8L)
4.3L (1996) With Heavy Duty Cooling18.1 Qts. (17.1L)
4.3L (1996) Without Heavy Duty Cooling17.9 Qts. (16.8L)
4.6L (1996)12.5 Qts. (11.8L)
5.7L "B" Body (1996) W/Heavy Duty Cooling16.9 Qts. (15.9L)
5.7L "B" Body (1996) W/O Heavy Duty Cooling16.4 Qts. (15.5L)
5.7L "D" Body (1996) W/Heavy Duty Cooling17.2 Qts. (16.3L)
5.7L "D" Body (1996) W/O Heavy Duty Cooling16.8 Qts. (15.9L)
5.7L "F" Body A/T15.1 Qts. (14.3L)
5.7L "F" Body M/T15.3 Qts. (14.5L)
5.7L "Y" Body (1996)17.8 Qts. (16.9L)
5.7L "Y" Body (1997) A/T12.0 Qts. (11.4L)
5.7L "Y" Body (1997) M/T12.4 Qts. (11.7L)
Pressure Cap
"L" Body18 psi
Saturn18 psi All
Others15 psi
Thermostat
Bonneville, Eighty Eight Starts To Open196°F (91°C)
Bonneville, Eighty Eight Fully Opens223°F (106°C)
LeSabre Starts To Open196°F (91°C)
LeSabre Fully Opens223°F (106°C)
Ninety Eight & Park Avenue Starts To Open196°F (91°C)
Ninety Eight & Park Avenue Fully Opens223°F (106°C)
Corvette Starts To Open185°F (85°C)
Corvette Fully Opens217°F (103°C)
All Others Starts To Open189°F (87°C)
All Others Fully Opens207°F (97°C)
(1) Specification is approximate and includes heater capacity.
(1)Specification is approximate and includes heater capacity.

COOLING SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS

SERPENTINE BELT ROUTING & ALIGNMENT

Note. For serpentine belt routing, see SERPENTINE BELT ROUTING .