1993 CHEVROLET TRACKER engine overheat

Problems on the Road
Position the sling crossbar under and
forward
of the rear bumper.
. = = 200
A L
Attach a separate safety chain around
the outboard end of each side of the rear
axle.
H Engine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature
gage on your Geo instrument panel.
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If Steam Is Coming from Your Engine:
' Steam from an overheated engine can burn you badly, even if you just
-open the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it. Just turn it
off and get everyone away from the vehicle until I
it cools down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or coolant before opening
the hood.
If
you keep driving when your engine is overheated, the liquids in it can
catch
fire. You or others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if it
overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the engine is cool.
If your engine catches fire becaw-
II
IOU keep driving with no coolant,
four vehicle can be badly
imaged. The costly repairs
wou
aot be covered by your warranty.
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Problems on the Road
... 202
If No Steam Is Coming from Your
Engine:
If you get the overheat warning but see
or hear no steam,
the problem may not
be too serious. Sometimes the engine
can get a little too hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
Idle for long periods in traffic.
Tow a trailer. If you
get the overheat warning with no
sign of steam, try this for
a minute or
1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the
so:
off.
highest fan speed and open
the
window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to
N (Neutral).
If
you no longer have the overheat
warning, you can drive. Just to be safe,
drive slower for about ten minutes. If
the warning doesn’t come back on, you
can drive normally.
If the warning continues, pull over,
stop, and park your vehicle right away.
If there’s still no sign of steam, you can
idle the engine for two
or three minutes
while you’re parked, to see if the
warning stops. But then, if you still have
the warning, TURN OFF THE
ENGINE AND GET EVERYONE OUT
OF THE VEHICLE until it cools down.
You may decide not to lift the hood but
to get service help right away.
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Problems on the Road
c
Engine damage from running yollr I
engine without coolant isn’t
covered by your warranty.
I
If there seems to be no leak, check to
see if the electric engine fan
is running.
If
the engine is overheating, the fan
should be running. If it isn’t, your
vehicle needs service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery
Tank
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but
the coolant level isn’t at or above
FULL, add a 50/50 mixture of clean
water
(preferably distilled) and the
proper antifreeze at the coolant recovery
tank. (See “Engine Coolant”
in the
Index for more information about the
proper coolant mix.)
A Adding only plain water to
L your cooling system can be
dangerous. Plain water, or some
other liquid, like alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mix will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant
mix. With plain water, or the
wrong mix, your engine could get
too hot but you wouldn’t get the
overheat warning. Your engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix
of clean water and a proper
antifreeze.
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' In cold weather, water can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator,
\eater core and other parts.
Us
he recommended coolant.
I A You can be burned if you
- b spill coolant on hot engine
parts. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it
will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough. Don't
-?ill coolant on a hot engine. When the coolant
in the coolant
recovery tank is at or above
FULL,
start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues,
there's one more thing you can try. You
can add the proper coolant mix directly
to the radiator, but be sure the cooling
system
is cool before you do it.
I
I
Steam and scalding liquids
- b from a hot cooling system car
blow out and burn you badly. I
They are under pressure, and if
you turn the radiator pressure cap
- even a little - they can come
out at high speed. Never turn
the
cap when the cooling system,
including the radiator pressure cap,
is hot. Wait for the cooling system
and radiator pressure cap to cool
il
you ever have to turn the pressure
cap.
205
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If You’re Stuck: In
Sand, Mud, Ice or
Snow
What you don’t want to do when your
vehicle is stuck is to spin your wheels.
The method known as “rocking” can
help you get out when you’re stuck, but
you must use caution.
‘ If you let your tires spin at
42 high speed, they can explode
and you or others could be injured.
And, the transmission and other
parts
of the vehicle can overheat.
That could cause
an engine
compartment fire or other damage.
When you’re stuck, spin the
wheels as little
as possible. Don’t
spin the wheels above
35 mph
(55 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer. Spinning
your wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as th
tires. If you spin the wheels too
fast while shifting your
transmission
back and forth, you
can destroy your transmission.
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Service & Appearance Care
How to Check Lubricant:
If the level is below the bottom of the
filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some
lubricant.
If the differential is at operating
temperature (warm), add enough
lubricant to raise the level to the bottom
of the filler plug hole.
If the differential
is cold, add enough
lubricant to raise the level to
1/2 inch
(12 mm) below the filler plug hole.
What to Use:
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lubricant to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants” in the Index.
Engine Coolant
The following explains your cooling
system and how to add coolant when it
is low. If you have a problem with
engine overheating, see “Engine
Overheating” in the Index.
The proper coolant for your Geo will:
Give freezing protection down to
Give boiling protection up to 258°F
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
Let the warning lights work as they
-34°F (-37°C).
(125°C).
temperature. should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze or approved recycled coolant
that meets “GM Specification 6038M,”
which won’t damage aluminum parts.
Also use GM Engine Coolant
Supplement (sealer) with a complete
coolant change. If you use these, you
don’t need to add anything else.
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r
Adding only plain water to
b your cooling system can be
dmgemus. Plaia water, or some
other liquid like alcohol, can boil
before the proper coolant mix will.
Your vehicle’s coolant warning
system is set for the proper coolant
mix, With plain water or the
wrong mix, your engine could get
too hot but you wouldn’t get the
overheat warning. Your engine
could catch fire and you or others
could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix
of clean water and a proper
antifreeve or approved recycled
coolant.
I
Some conditions, such as air trapped in
the cooling system, can affect the
coolant level in the radiator. Check the
coolant level when the engine is cold
and follow the steps under ‘‘Adding Coolant” for
the proper way to add
coolant. If you have to add coolant
more than
four time
a year, have your dealer check
your cooling system.
If
you use the proper coolant, you
don’t have to add extra inhibitors
or additivies which claim to
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