Get Engine Cooling -> Maintenance Guide for Suzuki Alto 4 Door Fifth Generation (1998-2003)

6B-4 ENGINE COOLING

MAINTENANCE

COOLANT

The coolant recovery system is standard. The coolant

in the radiator expands with heat, and the overflow is

collected in the reservoir tank.

When the system cools down, the coolant is drawn

back into the radiator.

The cooling system has been filled at the factory with

a quality coolant that is a 50/50 mixture of water and

ethylene glycol antifreeze (70/30; in a market where

no freezing temperature is anticipated).

This 50/50 mixture coolant solution provides freezing

protection to –365C (–335F).

D Maintain cooling system freeze protection at

–365C (–335F) to ensure protection against corro-

sion and loss of coolant from boiling. This should be

done even if freezing temperatures are not ex-

pected.

D Add ethylene glycol base coolant when coolant has

to be added because of coolant loss or to provide

added protection against freezing at temperature

lower than –365C (–335F).

NOTE:

D Alcohol or methanol base coolant or plain

water alone should not be used in cooling

system at any time as damage to cooling sys-

tem could occur.

D Even in a market where no freezing tempera-

ture is anticipated, mixture of 70% water and

30% ethylene glycol antifreeze (Antifreeze/

Anticorrosion coolant) should be used for

the purpose of corrosion protection and lu-

brication.

ANTI-FREEZE PROPORTIONING CHART

Freezing tem

erature

5C –16 –36

Freezing

temperature

5F 3 –33

ZE PR

HART

Anti-freeze/Anti-corrosion

coolant concentration

% 30 50

G C

ltr. 1.05/2.45 1.75/1.75

TI-

ONI

Ratio of compound to cooling water US pt. 2.22/5.18 3.70/3.70

lmp pt. 1.85/4.31 3.08/3.08

Engine radiator and heater

3.0 liters

(6.34/5.28 US/Imp. pt.)

OOLA

APACI

Reservoir tank

0.5 liters

(1.06/0.88 US/lmp. pt.)

Total

3.5 liters

(7.40/6.16 US/Imp. pt.)

COOLANT LEVEL

Coolant Level

To check level, lift hood and look at “see-through” coolant reservoir

tank.

It is not necessary to remove radiator cap to check coolant level.

When engine is cool, check coolant level in reservoir tank (1).

A normal coolant level should be between FULL and LOW marks

on reservoir tank.

If coolant level is below LOW mark (2), remove reservoir tank cap

and add proper coolant to tank to bring coolant level up to FULL

mark (3). Then, reinstall cap (4).

NOTE:

If proper quality antifreeze is used, there is no need to add ex-

tra inhibitors or additives that claim to improve system.

They may be harmful to proper operation of system, and are

unnecessary expense.

WARNING:

To help avoid danger of being burned:

D do not remove reservoir tank cap while coolant is boil-

ing, and

D do not remove radiator cap while engine and radiator

are still hot.

Scalding fluid and steam can be blown out under pres-

sure if either cap is taken off too soon.

COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE

Cooling system should be serviced as follows.

1) Check cooling system for leakage or damage.

2) Wash radiator cap and filler neck with clean water by removing

radiator cap when engine is cold.

3) Check coolant for proper level and freeze protection.

WARNING:

To help avoid danger of being burned, do not remove ra-

diator cap while engine and radiator are still hot.

Scalding fluid and steam can be blown out under pres-

sure if cap is taken off too soon.

ENGINE COOLING 6B-5

4) Using a pressure tester (1), check system and radiator cap (2)

for proper pressure holding capacity about 90 kPa (0.9 kg/cm

12.8 psi). If replacement of cap is required, use a proper cap for

this vehicle.

NOTE:

After installing radiator cap to radiator, make sure that the

ear of cap lines is parallel to radiator.

5) Tighten hose clamps and inspect all hoses. Replace hoses

whenever cracked, swollen or otherwise deteriorated.

6) Clean frontal area of radiator core.

COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH AND REFILL

1) Remove radiator cap when engine is cool:

Turn cap counterclockwise slowly until it reaches a “stop”.

(Do not press down while turning it.)

Wait until pressure is relieved (indicated by a hissing sound)

then press down on cap and continue to turn it counterclock-

wise.

2) With radiator cap removed, run engine until upper radiator

hose is hot (this shows that thermostat is open and coolant is

flowing through system).

WARNING:

To help avoid danger of being burned, do not remove

radiator cap while engine and radiator are still hot.

Scalding fluid and steam can be blown out under

pressure if cap is taken off too soon.

3) Stop engine and drain coolant.

4) Close drain plug. Add water until system is filled and run en-

gine until upper radiator hose is hot again.

5) Repeat steps 3) and 4) several times until drained liquid is

nearly colorless.

6) Drain system. And then close radiator drain plug (1) tightly (for

F8D engine).

F8D engine

6B-6 ENGINE COOLING

7) Remove reservoir tank (1) and remove cap (2) from reservoir

tank and pour out any fluid, scrub and clean inside of tank with

soap and water.

Flush it well with clean water and drain. Reinstall tank.

8) Add 50/50 mixture of good quality ethylene glycol antifreeze

and water to radiator and tank.

Fill radiator to the base of radiator filler neck and reservoir tank

to FULL level mark (3). Reinstall reservoir tank cap.

9) Run engine, with radiator cap removed, until radiator upper

hose is hot.

10) With engine idling, add coolant to radiator until level reaches

the bottom of filler neck. Install radiator cap, making sure that

the ear of cap lines is parallel to radiator.

WATER PUMP BELT TENSION

1) Inspect belt for cracks, cuts, deformation, wear and cleanliness.

If it is necessary to replace belt, refer to page 6B-10 for proce-

dure.

WARNING:

D Disconnect negative cable at battery before checking

and adjusting belt tension.

D See WARNING described in COOLING SYSTEM SER-

VICE.

2) Check belt (1) for tension. Belt is in proper tension when it de-

flects 6 – 7 mm (0.24 – 0.27 in.) under thumb pressure (about

10 kg or 22 Ib.).

Belt tension “a”: 6 – 7 mm (0.24 – 0.27 in.) as deflection

NOTE:

When replacing belt with a new one, adjust belt tension to

5 – 6 mm (0.20 – 0.24 in.).

3) If belt is too tight or too loose, adjust it to proper tension by dis-

placing generator position.

4) Tighten belt adjusting bolt (2) and generator pivot bolts (3).

5) Connect negative cable at battery terminal.

ENGINE COOLING 6B-7

Engine Cooling -> Maintenance for Your Suzuki Alto 4 Door Fifth Generation (1998-2003)

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