For the overflow bottle, it is labelled FULL COLD and FULL HOT. When the engine is cold, you want it to be at FULL COLD. If you find the coolant is low, fill it up in the overflow bottle, versus the radiator. It'll make it'* way into the cooling system soon enough.

The oil filter takes a little bit of work. Go to Sears, and pick up a Craftsman Strap Wrench [look around, you'll find it in the Tool Section]. Just wrap that sucker around real nice and tight, and have at it. It took me about 2hrs the first time I did it.. mind you I didn't have all the proper tools, and mine was SERIOUSLY overtightened. For replacing it, fill it up full with oil [the large center hole, with fresh oil]. Then screw it back on. Until it is hand-tight. Once there, turn it 3/4 turn more. I have found if the filter and your hands are fairly clean, you can do this by hand. DO NOT overtighten the filter. Trust me, it will be one HUGE pain in the *** to get it off later.

As far a strength, I too am not the strongest person [can only bench like 100lbs]. But after working on your car a few times, that strength increases exponentially. You'll need it, especially on an older vehicle, because those fight back .

You have any idea where Three Oaks is? I'm guessing since you are comparing Ohio versus Indiana, you are on the other side of Michigan. But I live in the Southwester corner. I'm sure there are a few members in your area willing to help [I may be too far.. ]

Don't worry about discrimination for being female. I may be a guy, but I am only 14 [I can pass as being 18.. but I am still a youngin'], and I too receive a lot of discrimination because of that. Just learn to live with it, and tell those who discriminate you to go **** themselves.


-justin

Justin

Gosh you are smart to be so young. I looked up on map quest and yes I am closer to tthe Ohio side. I live in a city called Woodhaven. I haven't seen many members from my area yet.

Hey I did it right. I put the coolent in the overflow tank and only up to the line that said ADD. I bet that is why my car was running hot. AS far as the oil filter goes, I dont' have a way to get the car up in the air enough to get under it with out getting clostraphobic. So I think I will leave the oil change to the shop for now. I did find out there was work done on the car and it may have 150 thousand miles instead of 89 thousand Thank you for your imput.

I just take mine to Super Lube or (insert US equivalent here). It is really quick, and doesn't cost much at all. And also welcome to the boards. This is a great place - everyone is really friendly here. When I joined I knew next to nothing and I've come a long ways with the help of the members. You will learn alot here.

Here is a nice basic engine diagram to get you started.



Autozone probably has one of the best online guides to get started with, it covers most things in pretty good detail.

You can't afford a set of $20 Rhino Ramps? For a beginning mechanic they are great. You don't have to worry about the car falling on you [.. this almost happened to me]. And they are cheaper than a jack and jack stands.

Wal-Mart has 'em I believe [I don't have any myself, unfortunately]. If you ever need to do suspension work, or do anything that requires removal of the tire, you need to use a jack and jack stands. But, if you aren't experienced enough to work on any of those, there aren't any worries. For now, leave that stuff to the pros. You can easily cause damage that way.

150k is nothing. I have 150k too. Even though my odo reads 189k [replaced cluster last summer, too lazy to set it back].

And yeah, you live WAAAY out of my neck of the woods. However, there are a few members in Detroit. May want to hit them up.. since you are a woman, some may be a little more apt .


-justin

Captin miller thank you for the diagram that helps a lot. I will look at autozone. Thanks all of you for being so helpful

I am confused about something, please rember I don't know about cars just learning. I have the 1989 Bonneville. The overflow container next to the windshield washier fluid, should this have fluid in it at all times? I know it has to do with the ratator. This is the part where I get confused it has two markings on it 1. when motor is hot 2. ADD
Do I need to make sure there is fluid in it at all times? Does the fluid only show up if the ratator is over heating? Thanks

Hmm.. mine has FULL COLD and FULL HOT. I'm guessing ADD is FULL COLD. Yes, it should have fluid in it at all times. If you are refilling your radiator in an emergency situation [or when the engine is hot] do NOT open the radiator cap. That could easily burn you, severely. Add it to the Overflow Bottle. Open the radiator cap and do a visual check to see if you can see any coolant. If you cannot, you may have a leak. If you can, just leveling out the Overflow Bottle shall do.


-justin

OK justin, you were correct (smart butt) ha ha. mine says Full Hot and ADD. About 3 days ago I added the fluid all the way up to ADD now it is gone. I haven't checked the radiator fluid yet but I will. The car sat in someones garage for some time. I believe the radiator was replaced. Would the cold weather and it sitting cause it to loose fluid? I have to tell you something and you are probably going to laugh ready?
My hubby designs cars but doesn't work on them, he is not an engine guy. I ask him about the overflow tank and he said the only way fluid would be in there is if there was a problem with the radiator. Well before reading your reply, I told him he had to be wrong because the book that came with the car (if I was reading it right) said you need to have fluid in the overflow tank. So thank you for your reply now I can say na na I was correct.

By the way hubby does occupant packaging, he can tell you how many golf clubs you can fit in a trunk and how much room is need for a person to drive a car ect. preprogram work. He is a computer geek. Not machanical at all, but your replies have helped me soo much.

Hey Justin everyone told me MIchigan guys are ruff on this board. They just don't know what they are talking about, I am going to tell them that too!

Heh, we are a little hard-headed sometimes. I will admit, I don't like to admit when I am wrong, but if I am right, I will fight until death.

Could be two things: your radiator was a little low [ADD is used for when the radiator is full.. if it isn't full, then that is worthless, you may as well pull coolant into the radiator instead. Like I said before, check the level of the radiator and make sure it isn't bone dry. If it is, I will give you instructions on that if-need-be.

In a way, your husband is correct. The overflow bottle is used when the coolant gets so hot, it expands, or creates a vacuum, thus causing coolant to "Overflow" following the little hose by the radiator cap into the overflow bottle. This is why there is a FULL COLD and FULL HOT. You don't want it to be too full, otherwise you will run into problems with explosions and the coolant having nowhere to go. Or, with too little, where you get air gaps [not good], or just all around low coolant.

I too am a little more experienced/confident with Electrical work, than mechanical. But, that certainly doesn't hinder me much in the working on cars much. When I grow up, and become big and strong [little kid voice], I want to be an Electrical Engineer [not that you care]. With the way cars are progressing electronically, having that knowledge is DAMN important. For general maintenance, and diagnosing problems, that is more important than mechanical. But fixing the problem.. it is more mechanical. I have not had any experience driving and/or working on a non-electronic based car, however you don't need a computer to work on those cars. You need a screwdriver, feeler gauge, and some carb cleaner.


-justin