1997 CHEVROLET TRACKER engine overheat

1
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
A CAUTION:
Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine
parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them.
If you
do, you can be burned.
Don’t run the engine if there
is a leak. If you run
the engine,
it could lose all coolant. That could
cause an.engine fire, and you could be burned.
Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.
I NOTICE:
Engine damage from running your engine
without coolant isn’t covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, with the engine on, 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.
5-16
ProCarManuals.com

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 the
FULL mark, add a 50/50 mixture
of clean water (preferably distilled) and a proper coolant
at the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant’’
in the Index for more information about the proper
coolant
mix.)
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 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 coolant.
NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
Use the recommended coolant and the proper
coolant mix.
5-17
I
ProCarManuals.com

/ CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol
and
it will burn if the engine parts are hot
enough. Don't spill coolant on a hot engine.
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 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.
5-18
ProCarManuals.com

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 too fast. 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 high speed, they can
explode, and you
or others could be injured. And,
the transmission or 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 kmk) as shown
on the speedometer.
I NOTICE:
Spinning your wheels can destroy parts of your
vehicle as well as the tires.
If you spin the wheels
too fast while shifting your transmission back
and forth, you can destroy your transmission.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains”
in the Index.
5-34
ProCarManuals.com

Front Axle
When to Check and Change Lubricant
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to 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 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
(I 2 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.
If the level is below the bottom of the filler plug hole,
you’ll need to add some lubricant.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant will:
0 Give freezing protection down to -33°F (-36°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 258°F (125°C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
0 Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
6-23
I
ProCarManuals.com

What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half coolant that meets
GM
Specification 1825-M, which won’t damage aluminum
parts. You can also use a recycled coolant conforming to
GM Specification 1825-M with a complete coolant flush
and refill. If you use this mixture, you don’t need to add
anything else.
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 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 the proper coolant.
I
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
warranty.
Too much water in the mix can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator, heater core and
other parts.
If you have to add coolant more than four times a year,
have your dealer check your cooling system.
I NOTICE:
If you use the proper coolant, you don’t have to
add extra inhibitors or additives which claim to
improve the system. These can be harmful.
6-24
ProCarManuals.com

Radiator Pressure Cap Power Steering Fluid
I NOTICE:
Your radiator cap is a 13 psi (90 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube
on the radiator
filler neck.
When you replace your radiator pressure cap, an AC@
cap is recommended. 'I
Thermostat
Engine coolant temperature is controlled by a thermostat
in the engine coolant system. The thermostat stops the
flow of coolant through the radiator until the coolant
reaches a preset temperature.
When
you replace your thermostat, an AC@ thermostat
is recommended.
When to Check Power Steering Fluid
It is not necessary to regularly check power steering
fluid
unless you suspect there is a leak in the system or
you hear an unusual noise.
A fluid loss in this system
could indicate
a problem. Have the system inspected
and repaired.
6-26
ProCarManuals.com

Methanol ...................................... 6-4
Mirrors
....................................... 2-39
Convex Outside
.............................. 2-41
ManualAdjust
............................... 2-40
Power Remote Control
......................... 2-40
MMT
......................................... 6-4
ModelReference
................................. 111
Mountain Roads ................................ 4-38
Multifunction Lever
............................. 2-29
...
Neutral. Automatic Transmission ................. 2- 12
Neutral. Manual Transmission
..................... 2- 15
New Vehicle Break-In
............................ 2-7
Nightvision
................................... 4-31
Odometer
.................................... 2-61
Odometer. Trip
................................. 2-61
Off-Road Driving
.............................. 4- 15
Off-RoadRecovery
............................. 4-12
Oil. Engine
.................................... 6-10
Oil Pressure Light
......................... 2.69. 6. IO
Overdrive. Automatic Transmission ................ 2- 14
Overdrive Off Light ............................. 2-71
Overheating Engine
............................. 5 . 13
Owner Checks and Services
....................... 7-49
Owner Publications. Ordering
..................... 8- 11
Paint Spotting. Chemical
........................ 6-56
Park
Automatic Transmission
....................... 2- 10 Shifting Into
................................. 2-23
Shifting Out of
............................... 2-25
AtNight
..................................... 2-6
Brake
...................................... 2-21
Brake Mechanism Check
....................... 7-52
Over Things That Burn
........................ 2-26
With a Trailer
................................ 4-55
Your Vehicle. Manual Transmission
.............. 2-26
Parking Lamp Bulb Replacement
.................. 6-35
Passenger Position
......................... 1.25. 1-31
Parking
Passing
....................................... 4-12
Periodic Maintenance Inspections
.................. 7-53
DoorLocks
................................... 2-4
Remote Control Mirror
........................ 2-40
Steering
.................................... 4-10
Steering Fluid
................................ 6-26
Windows
................................... 2-28
Power Indicator Light
........................... 2-70
Power Mode Selector Switch
...................... 2-14
Pregnancy. Use of Safety Belts
.................... 1-24
Problems on the Road
............................ 5-1
Publications. Service and Owner ................... 8-11
Radiator. Coolant .............................. 5-20
Radiator Pressure Cap
........................... 6-26
Radio Reception
................................ 3-17
Radios ............................... 3-7.3-8. 3-11
Rain. Driving In
................................ 4-32
Preparing
Your Canvas Top for Storage ............. 2-56
9-7
ProCarManuals.com