Cooling System Specifications Chevrolet Camaro II

DESCRIPTION

The basic liquid cooling system consists of a radiator, water pump, thermostat, cooling fan, pressure cap, heater (if equipped), various connecting hoses and cooling passages in the block and cylinder head. In addition, many cars use a fan clutch (incorporating a thermostatic control) or flexible fan blade. These reduce noise and power requirements at higher engine speeds.

Some models may use a thermostatic vacuum switch to advance ignition timing in the event of overheating. Most models use a coolant recovery system to prevent loss of anti-freeze.

Draining

Remove radiator cap and open heater control valve to maximum heat position. Open drain cocks or remove plugs in bottom of radiator and in engine block. In-line engines usually have one plug or cock, while "V" type engines will have two, one in each bank of cylinders.

Cleaning

A good cleaning compound removes most rust and scale. Follow manufacturer's instructions in the use of the cleaner. If considerable rust and scale has to be removed, flushing should be used. Clean radiator air passages by blowing with compressed air from back to front of radiator.

Flushing

1. Back flushing is a very effective means of removing rust and scale from a cooling system. For best results, the radiator, engine and heater core should be flushed separately.
2. To flush radiator, connect flushing gun to water outlet of radiator and disconnect water inlet hose. Use a leadaway hose, connected to radiator inlet, to prevent flooding the engine. Use air in short bursts only as a clogged radiator could be easily damaged. Continue flushing until water runs clear.
3. To flush engine, first remove thermostat and replace housing. Connect flushing gun to water outlet of engine. Disconnect heater hoses from engine. Flush using short air bursts until water runs clean. Flush heater core as described for radiator. Make sure heater valve is set to maximum heat position before flushing heater.

Refilling

Engine should be running while refilling cooling system to prevent air from being trapped in the engine block. After system is full, continue running engine until thermostat is open, then recheck fill level. Do not overfill system. Refer to appropriate article for correct cooling system capacity.

Scheme 1

1. Visually inspect thermostat for corrosion and proper sealing of valve and seat. If satisfactory, suspend thermostat and a thermometer in a container with a 50/50 mixture of anti-freeze and water (AMC recommends 100% anti-freeze). (Scheme 1)
2. Do not allow either thermostat or thermometer to touch bottom of container as this concentration of heat could cause an incorrect reading. Heat water until thermostat just begins to open. NOTE: Support thermometer so it does not touch bottom of container.
3. Read temperature on thermometer. This is the intial opening temperature and should be within specifications. Continue heating water until thermostat is fully open and note temperature. This is the fully opened temperature. If either reading is outside of specifications, Replace thermostat, as it is not adjustable. NOTE: Chevrolet recommends hanging thermostat in 33% solution at 25° above temperature stamped on thermostat. Valve should open. Remove thermostat from solution and place in similar solution at 10° below stamped temperature. Valve should close.

ANTI-FREEZE CONCENTRATION

Note. On models using aluminum engines or cooling system components, refer to Owners Manual for anti-freeze requirements and recommendations. Aluminum components require a different formulation of anti-freeze to prevent corrosion.

On all cooling systems, test anti-freeze concentration using anti-freeze tester. Tester should have a temperature-compensating feature, as failing to take temperature into consideration could cause an error as large as 30°F. Follow tester manufacturer's instructions for correct use of tester.

Pressure Testing Radiator Cap

A pressure testing tool is used to test both radiator cap and complete cooling system. Test as follows, following tool manufacturer's instructions.

Visually inspect radiator cap, then dip cap in water and connect to tester. Pump tester to bring pressure to upper limit of cap specifications. If cap fails to hold pressure within specifications, replace cap.

Scheme 2

Note. Wet cap gasket before testing.

Scheme 3

1. With engine off, wipe radiator filler neck seat clean. Fill radiator to correct level. Attach tester to radiator and pump until pressure is at upper limit of radiator rating.
2. If pressure drops, inspect for external leaks. If no leaks are apparent, detach tester and run engine until normal operating temperature is obtained. Reattach tester and observe. If pressure builds up immediately, a possible leak exists from a faulty head gasket or crack in head or block. CAUTION: Pressure may build up quickly. Release any excess pressure or cooling system damage may result.
3. If there is no immediate pressure build up, pump tester to within system pressure range (on radiator cap). Vibration of gauge pointer indicates compression or combustion leak into cooling system. Isolate leak by shorting each spark plug wire to cylinder block. Gauge pointer should stop or decrease vibration when leaking cylinder is shorted. CAUTION: Do not disconnect spark plug wires while engine is operating, or operate engine with spark plug shorted for more than 1 minute as catalytic converter may be damaged.
4. Remove engine and transmission (automatic only) oil dipsticks and check if water drops appear in oil. If so, a serious internal leak is indicated. If all checks are negative and system holds pressure for 2 minutes, there are no serious leaks in system. NOTE: Pump up to specified pressure.

A coolant recovery system differs from other cooling systems in that an overflow bottle is connected to the radiator overflow hose. The overflow bottle is transparent or translucent to permit checking of coolant level without removing radiator cap. No adjustment or test is required except keeping vent hole or hose clean and checking pressure relief of radiator cap.

OPERATION

As coolant temperature rises and pressure in system exceeds pressure relief valve of radiator cap, excess coolant flows into overflow bottle. As engine cools and coolant contracts, a vacuum is formed in the system. The vacuum draws coolant, stored in overflow bottle, back into radiator. In a properly maintained cooling system, the only coolant losses will be through evaporation.

Scheme 4

Note. Overflow bottle captures/releases coolant according to temperature.

THERMOSTAT

Thermostat should operate at 195°F (91°C) on all engines.

PRESSURE CAP

All models use a 15 psi (1.0 kg/cm 2 ) pressure cap which should be tested at 14-18 psi (.9-1.2 kg/cm 2 ).

WATER PUMP

Water pump is serviced only as an assembly.

MAINTENANCE

Inspect cooling system every 12 months or 15,000 miles. Drain and flush cooling system every 24 months or 30,000 miles.

BUICK COOLANT CAPACITY

All models use a thermostat that begins to open at 192-199°F (89-93°C), and is fully open at 219°F (104°C).

All models use a 15 psi (1.0 kg/cm 2 ) pressure cap which should be tested at 12-16 psi (.8-1.1 kg/cm 2 ).

Water pumps are serviced only as an assembly. Some water pumps may have a reddish or greenish coolant stain at vent hole below shaft. This is a normal condition and water pump should not be serviced unless it is obviously leaking with the engine running.

Inspect cooling system every 12 months or 15,000 miles. Drain and flush cooling system with water only, every 24 months or 30,010 miles.

Thermostat contains a restriction valve actuated by a thermostatic element. On Chevette models, thermostat is designed to open and close at 190° F (88°C). On all other models, thermostat is designed to open and close at 195° F (91°C).

All models, except 4.3L Diesel, use a 15 psi (1.0 kg/cm 2 ) pressure cap. The Diesel engine uses a 16-18.5 psi (1.1-1.3 kg/cm 2 ) pressure cap.

Water pump is serviced only as an assembly.

Inspect cooling system every 12 months or 15,000 miles. Drain and flush cooling system every 24 months or 30,000 miles. On all models, except 4.3L Diesel, maintain a 50% mixture of ethylene gylcol anti-freeze and water. On the 4.3L Diesel, use 64% ethylene glycol anti-freeze and 36% water.

Note. Rusty appearing coolant is an indication that coolant has become ineffective. System should be flushed and new coolant added to radiator.

CHEVROLET COOLANT CAPACITY

All models use a thermostat that starts to open at 195°F (91°C), and is fully open at 222°F (106°C).

All models use a 15 psi (1.0 kg/cm 2 ) pressure cap which should be tested at 14-17 psi (.9-1.2 kg/cm 2 ).

Water pump is serviced only as an assembly.

Inspect cooling system every 12 months or 15,000 miles. Drain and flush cooling system every 24 months or 30,000 miles.

OLDSMOBILE COOLANT CAPACITY

All models use a 195°F (91°C) thermostat that starts to open at 192-198°F (89-92°C), and is fully open at 222°F (106°C).

All models, except 4.3L Diesel, use a 15 psi (1.0 kg/cm 2 ) pressure cap. The Diesel engine uses a 16-18.5 psi (1.1-1.3 kg/cm 2 ) pressure cap.

Water pump is serviced only as an assembly.

Inspect cooling system every 12 months or 15,000 miles. Drain and flush cooling system every 24 months or 30,000 miles. On all models, except 4.3L Diesel, maintain a 50% mixture of ethylene gylcol anti-freeze and water. On the 4.3L Diesel, use 64% ethylene glycol anti-freeze and 36% water.

PONTIAC COOLANT CAPACITY