1993 GMC SIERRA check engine

Service & Appearance Care
Diesel Fuel Requirements
and Fuel System
Some states and provinces have restrictions on the purchase of diesel fuel
for light-duty vehicles and require you
to buy permits or pay special taxes.
Some of these restrictions apply only
to residents, and others apply to both
residents and visitors. These restrictions can change.
To learn the current
restrictions in any state or province, contact your auto club, \
the police or
other officials.
Fuel Requirements
1 NOTICE
Diesel fuel or fuel additives not recommended in this manual could
damage your fuel system and engine. Your warranty wouldn’t cover thi
damage. And:
Diesel fuel that has been mixed with engine oil could damage your
engine and emission controls.
Always check with your service station
his
diesel fuel, it can be difficult to restart your
engine. “Running Out of Fuel,” later
in this section, tells you how to
get
it started again. To avoid all this, try never to let. your tank get
What Fuel to Use:
You can use either Number I-D or Number 2-D diesel fuel, but you’ll get
better fuel economy using
2-D.
Diesel fuel may foam when you fill your tank. This can cause the automatic
pump nozzle
to shut off, even though your tank isn’t full. If this happens, just
wait for the foaming to stop and then continue to fill your tank.
1 CAUTION
- Heat coming from the engine may cause the fuel to expand and force
the fuel out of your tank. If something ignites the fuel, a \
fire could start
and people could be burned.
To help avoid this, fill your fuel tank only
until the automatic nozzle shuts
off. Don’t try to “top if off .” I
I
6-6
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
This light also should come on when you start your engine, as\
a check. If it
doesn’t, have it fixed
so it will be there to let you know if you ever do get
water in your fuel.
If the light comes on at any other time, use this chart.
“WATER IN FUE
PROBLEM
Light comes on intermittently.
1) Temperatures above freezing.
Light stays on
2) Temperatures below freezing.
3) Immediately after refueling -
Large amounts of water
probably pumped into the
tank.
.” LIGHT CHART
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Drain water from fuel filter.
Drain fuel filter immediately.
If nc
water is drained and light stays on
-
replace fuel filter.
Drain fuel filter immediately.
If no
water can be drained
- water may be
frozen. Open air bleed
to check for
fuel pressure.
If no fuel pressure
replace filter.
Fuel tank purging required. See your
dealer for assistance.
1
iesitation or “flat” performance at high speed or hard acceleration may be an
ndication of premature fuel filter plugging due to dirty
or contaminated fuel.
The filter element may need
to be changed if this happens. See your dealer
or assistance.
f you drive when this warning light is on, you can damage your fuel I
njection system and your engine. If the light comes on right after you
efuel,
it means water was pumped into your fuel tank. Turn off your
mgine immediately. Then, have the water drained at once.
I
To drain water:
1. Remove the fuel tank cap.
2. Connect a hose going from the water drain valve to a fuel-resistant
container.
6-8
ProCarManuals.com

6. Open the air bleed valve.
7. Turn your ignition key to Run for 10 to 15 seconds. Wait one minute for
the starter to cool. Do this until you can see clear fuel coming from the
air bleed valve.
8. Close the air bleed valve and replace the fuel tank cap.
9. Start your engine and let it idle for five minutes. Be sure to check your
fuel filter for leaks.
Fuel Filter Replacement (62 Diesel Engines)
If you want to change the fuel filter yourself, here's how to do it:
'1
K2667
Drain fuel from the filter by opening the air bleed valve and\
the water drain
valve. This prevents the fuel from spilling as you replace the\
filter. Drain the
fuel into a fuel-resistant container and dispose of it properly.
CAUTION I
A
Diesel fuel is flammable. It could start a fire if something ignites it,
and you could be burned. Don't let it get on
hot engine parts, and
keep matches
or other ignition sources away.
6-1 3
ProCarManuals.com

6. Close the water drain valve and connect a hose going from the air bleed\

valve port
to a fuel-resistant container. The inside diameter of the hose
should be one-eighth of an inch.
for the starter to cool.
Do this until you can see clear fuel coming from
the air bleed valve.
7. Turn your ignition key to Start for 10 to 15 seconds. Wait one minute
8. Close the air bleed valve and replace the fuel tank cap.
9. Start your engine and let it idle for five minutes. Be sure to check your
fuel filter for leaks.
Fuels in Foreign Countries (Gasoline Engines)
If you plan on driving in another country outside the US. or Canada,
unleaded fuel may be hard to find.
Do not use leaded gasoline. If you use
even one tank full, your emission controls won’t work well \
or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust system \
can corrode,
and your engine oil can deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s three-way catalytic
converter and oxygen sensor will be damaged.
All of that means costly
repairs that wouldn’t be covered by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil
company that does business in the country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write us at the following address for advice. Just tell us where
you’re going and give your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
General Motors of Canada Ltd.
International Export Sales
Post Office Box
828
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7N1, Canada
6-1 5
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
Exhaust:
Removal of muffler andlor resonator.
Removal of exhaust pipes and exhaust pipe clamps.
Engine Oil (Except Diesel)
It's a good idea to check your engine oil every time you get fuel. In order to
get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle\
must be on
level ground.
t
L
K2389
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to get back down into the
oil pan.
If you don't, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
I
K2613
To Check Engine Oil: Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or
cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip lower.
6-20
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
Engine Block Heater:
An engine block heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in very
cold weather,
0°F (-18°C) or colder. If your vehicle has this option, see
“Engine Block Heater” in the Index.
What to Do with Used Oil:
I CAUTION I
Used engine oil contains things that have caused skin cancer
laboratory animals. Don’t let used oil stay on your skin fo\
r very
I
Clean your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good han\
d
cleaner. Wash or properly throw away clothing or rags containin\
g
used engine oil.
Used-oil can be a real threat
to the environment. If you change your own oil,
be sure to drain all free-flowing oil from the filter before disp\
osal. Don’t ever
dispose of oil by putting it in the trash, pouring it on the ground, into sewers,
or into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it to a place
that collects used
oil. If you have a problem properly disposing of your used
oil, ask your dealer, a service station or a local recycling \
center for help.
Engine Oil (Diesel Engines)
It’s a good idea to check your engine oil level every time you get fuel. In
order
to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle\
must
be on level ground.
c
-
K2394
Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to drain back into the oil
pan. If you don’t the
oil dipstick might not show the actual level.
6-26
ProCarManuals.com

T-
K2613
To Check Engine Oil: Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel
or a cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip
lower.
When to Add Oil: If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need to
add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This part explains what kind\

of oil to use. For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Spec\
ifications’’ in
the Index.
Don’t add too much oil. If your engine has so much oil that the oil level
gets above the proper operating range, your engine could
be damaged. I
I
w
ii
I
- “‘I
. ..
Ll
6 -”
i f f i
w
K2395
6-27
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic Transmission Fluid
When to Check and Change:
A good time to check your automatic transmission fluid level is when the
engine oil is changed. Refer
to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when
to change your fluid. See "Scheduled Maintenance Services" in the \
Index.
How to Check:
Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this
done at a General Motors dealership Service Department.
If you
do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could
get a false reading on the dipstick.
I Too much or too little fluid can damage your transmission. Too much can
nean that some of the fluid could come out and fall on hot engine parts,
itarting
a fire. Be sure to get an accurate reading if you check your
ransmission ftuid.
Wait at least
30 minutes before checking the transmission fluid level if you
have been driving:
When outside temperatures are above 90°F (32°C).
At high speed for quite a while.
In heavy traffic-especially in hot weather.
While pulling a trailer.
To get the right reading, the fluid must be at normal operating temperature,
which is 180°F
to 200°F (82°C to 93°C).
To check the transmission fluid hot: Get the vehicle warmed up by driving
about
15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above 50°F (1 0°C). If
it's colder than
50°F (lO°C), drive the vehicle in D (3rd gear) until the engine
temperature gage moves and then remains steady for ten minutes. Then
follow the hot check procedures.
To check transmission fluid cold: A cold check is made after the vehicle
has been sitting for eight hours or more with the engine
off and is used only
as a reference. Let the engine run at idle for five minutes
if outside
temperatures are 50°F (10°C) or more.
If it's colder than 50°F (lO"C), you
may have
to idle the engine longer. A hot check must follow when fluid is
added during a cold check.
6-33
ProCarManuals.com