Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
1981 Chevrolet Chevette Base, 4D Hatchback, 1.8L Eng VIN D, Automatic TransFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Service Specifications
O.E.M. REFRIGERANT CAPACITIES
| Application | Capacity (Lbs.) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| American Motors | 2 | ||
| Chrysler Corp. | |||
| Aries & Reliant | 2 1/8 | ||
| Horizon & Omni | 2 1/8 | ||
| All Other Models | 2 3/8 | ||
| Ford Motor Co. | |||
| Escort & Lynx | 2 1/2 | ||
| Ford & Mercury | 3 1/4 | ||
| Mark VI & Town Car | 3 | ||
| All Other Models | 3 1/2 | ||
| General Motors | |||
| Buick | |||
| Century, Regal & Riviera | 3 1/4 | ||
| Electro & LeSabre | 3 1/2 | ||
| Skylark | 2 3/4 | ||
| Cadillac | 3 3/4 | ||
| Chevrolet | |||
| Camaro, Malibu & Monte Carlo | 3 1/4 | ||
| Caprice & Impala | 3 1/4 | ||
| Chevette | 2 1/4 | ||
| Citation | 2 3/4 | ||
| Corvette | 3 | ||
| Oldsmobile | |||
| Omega | 2 3/4 | ||
| Cutlass & Toronado | 3 1/4 | ||
| All Other Models | 3 1/2 | ||
| Pontiac | |||
| Bonneville & Catalina | 3 1/2 | ||
| Firebird, Grand Prix & Le Mans | 3 1/4 | ||
| Phoenix | 2 3/4 | ||
COMPRESSOR BELT TENSION
| Application | (1)Tension (Lbs.) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Belt | Used Belt | |||||
| American Motors | ||||||
| Regular Belt | 125-155 | 90-115 | ||||
| Serpentine Belt | 180-200 | 140-160 | ||||
| Chrysler Corp. | 120 | 70 | ||||
| Ford Motor Co. | 120-160 | 75-120 | ||||
| General Motors | ||||||
| Buick | 140-160 | 90-100 | ||||
| Cadillac | ||||||
| V6 & Diesel | 170 | 90 | ||||
| V8 | 200 | 90 | ||||
| Chevrolet | 140-160 | 90-100 | ||||
| Oldsmobile | 140-160 | 90-100 | ||||
| Pontiac | 140-160 | 90-100 | ||||
|
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COMPONENT OIL REPLACEMENT QUANTITIES
| Component | Quantify | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accumulator | (1) | |||
| Condenser | 1 oz. | |||
| Evaporator | ||||
| American Motors Systems | 1 oz. | |||
| Chrysler Corp. Systems | 2 oz. | |||
| All Other Systems | 3 oz. | |||
| Receiver-Drier | 1 oz. | |||
|
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Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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