
This section describes the opera-
tions to be regularly carried out
between maintenance checks as pre-
scribed by the Service Manual.
Check on a regular basis the rubber
boots of the steering rack, ball bear-
ings, gearshift rod, front axle balljoints
and the steering rod joints. A damaged
boot will allow dust, water and mud into
the joint reducing its service life.
Replace a damaged boot or reshape a
twisted one.
LUBRICATION SYSTEM
An engine usually consumes a cer-
tain amount of oil during operation. This
amount depends on your driving tech-
niques, and is predetermined by the
engine load and speed. During the run-
in period oil consumption is higher than
regular.
Therefore, regularly check oil level,
especially before long journeys.
Check the oil level on a cold engine,
when it is off, and top up as necessary.
The oil level must be between the
«MIN» and «MAX» marks of oil dipstick
1 (Fig.33). Refill the engine through the
filler closed with cap 2.
Do not fill oil above the «MAX»
mark. Otherwise it will be drawn
through the ventilation system into the
combustion chambers and then
released into the ambient with the
exhaust gasses. At the injection
engines fitted with a catalytic converter
oil in the exhaust may destroy the cata-
lyst.
ENGINE COOLING
SYSTEM
Coolant level should be 25-30 mm
above the «MIN» mark on the transpar-
ent body of expansion tank 1 (Fig.34).
Check the coolant level or open the
expansion tank cap (2) only when the
engine is cold. After refill, tighten the
expansion tank cap firmly, since when
the engine is running and warmed-up,
the expansion tank is under pressure.
If you have to add coolant frequent-
ly, check the cooling system for leak-
age and remedy the situation. As an
exception, the cooling system may be
topped up with clean water, though you
should never forget that in this case the
freezing temperature will be higher.
Therefore, make necessary repairs of
the system as soon as possible and
refill it with the coolant.
Warning! Note that coolant is poi-
sonous! It must be stored in a tight-
ly sealed container beyond the
reach of children. Do not use clean
water instead of coolant.
34
Fig. 33. Checking the engine oil level
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE
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