1994 CHEVROLET TRACKER engine overheat

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.
2ooling System
Vhen you decide it’s safe to lift the hood,
lere’s what you’ll see on the 8-valve
mgine:
I. Coolant Recovery Tank
!. Radiator Pressure Cap
1. Electric Engine Fan lere’s
what you’ll see on the 16-valve
:ngine:
I. Coolant Recovery Tank
!. Radiator Pressure Cap
I. Electric Engine Fan
141 . . .
ProCarManuals.com

Problems on the Road
If the coolant inside the coolant recovery
tank
is boiling, don’t do anything else
until it cools down.
The coolant level should be at or above
“FULL.” If it isn’t, you may have a leak
in the radiator hoses, heater hoses,
radiator, water pump or somewhere else
in the cooling system. I NOTICE:
I
Engine damage from running your
engine without coolant isn’t covered
by your warranty.
[f there seems to be no leak, check to see
if the electric engine fan is running.
If the
mgine is overheating, the fan should be
running. If it isn’t, your vehicle needs
service.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant
Recovery
Tank
[f you haven’t found a problem yet, but
:he coolant level isn’t at or above the
“FULL” mark, add a 50/50 mixture of
:lean water (preferably distilled) and a
xoper antifreeze at
the coolant recovery
:a&. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index
for more information about the proper
:oolant mix.)
. . .I42
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~~ NOTICE:
~~~
In cold weather, water
can freeze and
crack the engine, radiator, heater core
and other parts.
Use the recom-
mended coolant. When
the coolant in the
coolant recovery
tank is at or above the
"FULL" mark.
start your vehicle.
If the overheat warning continues, there's
ope more thing you can try. You can add
the proper coolant mix directly to the
radiator, but be sure the coolink 7 . 4: y. stem
is cool before you
do it.
A CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system can blow out and
burn you badly. They
are under pres-
sure, 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 if you
ever have to turn the pressure cap.
I
143.. ProCarManuals.com

~~
~~ ~ ~~~~ ~ Service and Appearance Care
Four- Wheel Drive
Most
lubricant checks in this section also
apply to four-wheel-drive vehicles.
However, they have
two additional
systems that need lubricatiog.
Transfer Case
When to Check qnd Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change
it. See
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
How to Check Lubricant
If the level is below the bottom of the
filler plug hole, you’ll need to add some
lubricant. Add enough lubricant to raise
the level to the bottom of the filler plug
hole.
What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to
determine what kind of lybricant to use.
See “Recommended Fluids and
Lubricants”
in the Index.
Front Axle
When
to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to a
determine how often to check the
lubricant and when to change it. See
“Periodic Maintenance Inspections” and
“Scheduled Maintenance Services”
in the
Index.
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
-20°F (-29”C), or -34°F (-37°C)
in
Canada and for vehicles with the cold
climate option.
Give boiling protection up to 258°F
(125°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
temperature.
Let the warning lights work as they
should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze that meets “GM Specification
6038-M,” which won’t damage aluminum
parts.
You can also use a recycled coolant
conforming to
“GM Specification
6038-M”
with a complete coolant flush
. . .I70
ProCarManuals.com

and refill. If you use this mixture. you
don't need to add anything else.
A CAUTION:
Adding only plain water to 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
cool-
ant 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.
NOTICE:
If you use an improper coolant mix,
your engine could overheat and be
badly damaged. The repair cost
wouldn't be covered by your war-
ranty.
Too much water in the mix can
freeze and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core and other parts. Some conditions, such
as air
trapped in
the cooling system, can af't'ect 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 Inore than four
times
a year. have your dealer check your
cooling system.
NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant. you
don't have to add extra inhibitors
or
additives which claim to improve thc
system. These can
be harmful.
%-Valve Engine
Adding Coolant
To Check Coolant: When your engine is
cold.
the coolant level should be at
"LOW," or a little higher. When your
engine
is warm. the level should be up to
"FULL." or a little higher.
171 ..
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Customer Assistance for the Hearing
Customer Assistance Information
. . 233
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
... 234
or Speech Impaired (TDD)
..... 234
Damage. Finish
............... 194
Damage. Sheet Metal
............ 193
Daytime Running Lights
......... 56
Daytime Running Lights Indicator Light
....................... 72
Deep Standing Water.
Driving through
.............. 41
Defects. Safety
Reporting to General Motors
.... 236
Reporting to the Canadian
Reporting to the United States
Government
............... 236
Government
............... 236
Defensive Driving
.............. 100
Defogger. Rear Window ......... 86
Defogging and Defrosting
Windows
................... 85
Dehumidifying ................. 85
Dimensions. Vehicle ............ 202
Doing Your Own Service Work
.... 156
Dome Light ................... 57
Door Locks
.................... 37
Door Storage Compartments
...... 60
Downhill. Driving
.............. 1 12
Drive. Four-wheel
.............. 46
Drive. Four-wheel (Service)
...... 170 Driver Position
(Safety Belts)
... 20
Driving
Across an Incline
............. 11 3
At Night .................... 1 16
City
........................ 119
Defensive
................... 100
Downhill
................... 1 12
Drunken
.................... 100
Freeway
.................... 120
Guidelines
.................. 107
In Mud. Sand. Ice or Snow ..... 1 15
In the Rain .................. 117
In Water .................... 115
0ff.Road. With Your Geo Four-
Wheel-Drive Vehicle
........ 108
On Curves .................. 104
On Off-Road Hills
............ I10
On Snow or Ice
.............. 123
Through Deep Standing Water
... 41
Uphill
...................... 111
Winter
...................... 122
With a Trailer
................ 127
Your Tracker. About ........... 3
Drunken Driving
............... 100
Easy Entry Seats
.............. 12
Electrical Equipment. Add-on
..... 196
Emergencies. Braking in
......... 104
Emergencies. Steering in
......... 105 Engine
Coolant
..................... 170
Coolant (Block) Heater
........ 41
Coolant Temperature Gage
..... 70
Exhaust
..................... 51
Identification
................ 196
Oil
........................ 162
Oil Pressure Light
............ 71
Overheating
................. 140
Specifications
................ 200
Starting Your
................ 40
Environment. Your Vehicle
and the
..................... 204
Exhaust. Engine
................ 51
Extender. Safety Belt
....... 1 .... 33
Exterior Bright Metal Parts.
Protecting
................... 192
Fabric Protection
.............. 190
Fan Control Lever
.............. 84
Features and
Controls ........... 35
Filling Your Tank ............... 158
Filter. Air. Replacement
.......... 166
Finish Care (Paint)
.............. 192
Finish Damage (Paint)
........... 194
Flashers. Hazard Warning
........ 132
Flat Tire. Changing a
............ 146
Flat.
If a Tire Goes .............. 146
Flow-Through Ventilation System . . 86
245 ..
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1 Keys ....................... 36
Label. Certification/Tire
........ 18 1
Label. Service Parts Identification . . 196
Lamp. Malfunction Indicator
...... 7 1
Lane Change Indicator.
Turn Signal and
.............. 54
Lap-Shoulder Belt (Safety Belts)
... 20
Larger Children (Safety Belts)
..... 32
Leaving Your Vehicle
............ 37
Leaving Your Vehicle with the
Engine Running
.............. 49
Lighter. Ashtrays and
............ 62
Lights Brake System Warning
......... 69
Bulb Replacement
............ 177
Charging System
............. 70
Check Engine
................ 71
Daytime Running ............. 56
Daytime Running Lights
Indicator
.................. 72
Dome
...................... 57
Engine Oil Pressure
........... 71
Gages and Indicators. Warning
. . 68
Interior ..................... 57
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
.... 71
Operation
of ................. 55
Safety Belt Reminder .......... 19
Lights On Reminder
............. 55
Loading Your Vehicle .... . 181 Locks.
Door ................... 37
Loss of Control
................ 107
Lubricant Front Axle
.................. 170
Rear Axle
................... 169
Recommended
............... 225
Transfer Case
................ 170
Main Fuse Block
............. 198
Maintenance Inspections. Periodic
.......... 223
Record
..................... 228
Schedule
.................... 203
Services. Scheduled
........... 206
Underbody
.................. 194
When Trailer Towing
.......... 129
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
...... 71
Manual
Adjust Mirrors. Outside
........ 60
Freewheeling Hubs ........... 46
Transmission Fluid
............ 168
Windows
................... 52
Master Cylinder. Brake
.......... 174
Mirrors Convex Outside
.............. 59
Inside Daymight Rearview
..... 59
Inside Rearview
.............. 59
Outside Manual Adjust
........ 60
Mountain Roads. Hill and ........ 121
Transmission. Five-Speed
...... 44 New
Vehicle “Break-In”
....... 39
Night Driving
.................. 116
Night Vision
................... 117
Nuts. Wheel
................... 202
Odometer. Speedometer and
..... 66
Odometer. Trip
................. 67
Off-Road Driving After
....................... 116
Before You Go
............... 108
Getting Familiar With
......... 109
Loading Your Vehicle for
....... 108
On Hills
.................... 110
With Your Geo Four-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle
................... 108
Off-Road Recovery
............. 105
Oil. Engine .................... 162
Opening and Closing Your Rear
Window
.................... 75
Opening and Closing Your
sunroof ..................... 74
Operation
of Lights ............. 55
Outside Manual Adjust Mirrors .... 60
Overheating. Engine
............ 140
Owner Checks and Services
....... 218
P (Park) Shifting into ...
P (Park). Shifting out of ...
.... 48
.... 49
247 ... ProCarManuals.com