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.
1990 GMC Value Van 3.9 LFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Quick Lookups: Fluids
| FLUID CAPACITIES | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fluid Type | Application | Standard | Metric | Fluid Spec | Note | S/H | |
| Air Cond Refrigerant | N/A | N/A | R-12 | For further details see "Air conditioner specification label". | S | ||
| Brake Fluid | N/A | N/A | DOT 3 Brake Fluid | S | |||
| Differential Gear Oil | Chev. 10 1/2" ring gear | 3.60 QTS. | 3.4 L | API - GL-5, SAE 80W or 80W-90 Gear Oil | S | ||
| Differential Gear Oil | Chev. 8 1/2" ring gear | 2.10 PTS. | 0.99 L | SAE 80W-90 Gear Oil | S | ||
| Differential Gear Oil | Chev. 9 1/2" ring gear | 2.75 QTS. | 2.6 L | API - GL-5, SAE 80W or 80W-90 Gear Oil | S | ||
| Differential Gear Oil | Dana 10 1/2" ring gear | 2.75 QTS. | 2.6 L | API - GL-5, SAE 80W or 80W-90 Gear Oil | S | ||
| Differential Gear Oil | Dana 9 3/4 ring gear | 2.75 QTS. | 2.6 L | API - GL-5, SAE 80W or 80W-90 Gear Oil | S | ||
| Differential Gear Oil | Rockwell 12" ring gear | 7.00 QTS. | 6.62 L | API - GL-5, SAE 80W or 80W-90 Gear Oil | S | ||
| Engine Coolant | P3500 | 13.80 QTS. | 13.05 L | 56/44 mixture of Ethylene Glycol Base Antifreeze and water | GM Specification 1825-M. | S | |
| Engine Oil | P3500 | 6.00 QTS. | 5.67 L | API - SAE 5W-30 (Below -20Deg.F to 60Deg.F), 10W-30 (Above 0Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 15W-40 (10Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), 20W-20 (20Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F), SAE 30 (40Deg.F to Above 100Deg.F) | S | ||
| Fuel Tank | P3500 | 40.00 GALS. | 151.41 L | S | |||
| Manual Transmission Fluid | 4.20 QTS. | 3.97 L | Automatic Transmission Fluid DEXRON III | S | |||
| Power Steering Fluid | N/A | N/A | GM Power Steering Fluid | GM Part No. 1050017. | S | ||
| Windshield Washer Fluid | N/A | N/A | Optikleen Windshield Washer Fluid | Follow the Manufacturer's Instructions for the mixture ratio. | S | ||
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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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.