Cooling System - Fill / Pressure Cap Application

NO.:
07-04-92

GROUP:
Cooling

DATE:
Nov. 2, 1992



SUBJECT:
Cooling System Fill/Pressure Cap Application



MODELS:

1993 (LH) Concorde/Intrepid/Vision


DISCUSSION:

Some vehicles may have improperly filled engine cooling systems. This bulletin serves three purposes:

^ It describes the acceptable range of coolant levels for the vehicles.
^ It serves as notice that the markings on the coolant bottle have changed.
^ It defines the correct cooling system pressure cap application.

These conditions apply to vehicles built with either 3.3L or 3.5L engines, with or without air conditioning.

Over filling the engine cooling system on the Chrysler Concorde, Dodge Intrepid, or Eagle Vision will result in coolant spillage on the ground during normal vehicle operation (without vehicle overheating) and customer dissatisfaction. The coolant bottle is designed to have air space inside to allow the coolant to expand during normal temperature changes from engine operation. A coolant release could, along with other causes, precipitate 3.5L engine knock.

Under-filling the engine cooling system on these vehicles could result in customer dissatisfaction and in extreme cases, vehicle overheating.

Proper Coolant fill levels are:

A. If the vehicle has been driven for more than 30 minutes since the cooling system was filled:

Minimum: One half inch (12 mm) below "MIN" (or "COLD FILL LEVEL") line on the coolant bottle. (NOTE the "MIN" designation has been changed to read "COLD FILL LEVEL" on later built vehicles).

Maximum: One inch (25 mm) above the "MIN" ("COLD FILL LEVEL") line on the coolant bottle.



Unacceptable coolant levels are:
Bottle filled to a level reaching the seam in the bottle.
Bottle filled to less than one half inch (12 mm) below the "MIN" (or "COLD FILL LEVEL") line.

B. If vehicle has been driven for less than 30 minutes, or you are unsure of the length of time since the cooling system was filled, or you have received a new delivery from Chrysler:

Check coolant level only after vehicle has been driven for at least 30 minutes or the engine has been run for 30 minutes at between 1200 and 2000 RPM.

Fill engine cooling system to correct levels using a mixture of 50% (by volume) high quality water (distilled preferred) and 50% ethylene glycol based antifreeze, as specified in the owners' and service manuals.

CAUTION:
DO NOT OPEN THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM WHEN HOT -- SEVERE BURNS, OTHER BODILY INJURIES, OR DAMAGE TO VEHICLE MAY OCCUR.

Pressure Cap Application:

The cooling system pressure cap used on LH vehicles closely resembles the pressure cap used on many other Chrysler vehicles, but is NOT the same. Use of the incorrect cap will not allow the cooling system to properly pressurize and can cause overheating.

Pressure cap P/N 4592098 (marked 16 lbs.), is for the 3.3L engine only, P/N 4596198, (marked 17 lbs.), is the recommended cap for either engine. All vehicles built after September 8, 1992, will have P/N 4596198.


POLICY:
Information only