Engine Fan Breakage
{CAUTION:
Changing the Fan Drive Ratio or Engine
Governed Speed:
If you change the fan drive ratio or
increase the governed speed of the
engine, you may increase stress and the
fan could eventually fail. If the fan breaks
apart while it is rotating, pieces can cause
severe injury to anyone — such as a
service technician — who is nearby. And,
of course, the pieces can severely
damage the vehicle. Do not change the
fan drive ratio or increase the governed
speed of the vehicle without getting the
necessary information from your dealer.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)
Winter Fronts, Grille Covers or
Obstructions:
Winter Fronts, grille covers or other
add-on equipment causing obstructions in
front or behind the fan should not be used
on this vehicle. If this causes the fan to
eventually break apart while it is rotating,
the pieces can cause severe injury to
anyone nearby, such as a service
technician working on the engine, and of
course the pieces can severely damage
the vehicle.
250
Fuel
If your vehicle has a diesel engine, seeDiesel
Engine Fuel on page 253.
For vehicles with gasoline engines, please
read this.
Use of the recommended fuel is an important part
of the proper maintenance of your vehicle. To
help keep your engine clean and maintain optimum
vehicle performance, GM recommends the use
of gasoline advertised as TOP TIER Detergent
Gasoline.
Gasoline Octane
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted
octane rating of 87 or higher. If the octane rating
is less than 87, you may notice an audible
knocking noise when you drive, commonly referred
to as spark knock. If this occurs, use a gasoline
rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible. If
you are using gasoline rated at 87 octane or
higher and you hear heavy knocking, your engine
needs service.
Gasoline Speci cations
At a minimum, gasoline should meet ASTM
specification D 4814 in the United States or
CAN/CGSB-3.5 in Canada. Some gasolines may
contain an octane-enhancing additive called
methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT). General Motors recommends against the
use of gasolines containing MMT. SeeAdditives
on page 252for additional information.
251
Additives
To provide cleaner air, all gasolines in the United
States are now required to contain additives
that will help prevent engine and fuel system
deposits from forming, allowing your emission
control system to work properly. In most cases,
you should not have to add anything to your fuel.
However, some gasolines contain only the
minimum amount of additive required to meet U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
To help keep fuel injectors and intake valves clean,
or if your vehicle experiences problems due to
dirty injectors or valves, look for gasoline that is
advertised as TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline. Also,
your dealer has additives that will help correct
and prevent most deposit-related problems.
Gasolines containing oxygenates, such as ethers
and ethanol, and reformulated gasolines may
be available in your area. General Motors
recommends that you use these gasolines if they
comply with the specifications described earlier.
However, E85 (85% ethanol) and other fuels
containing more than 10% ethanol must not be
used in vehicles that were not designed for
those fuels.Notice:Your vehicle was not designed for
fuel that contains methanol. Do not use
fuel containing methanol. It can corrode metal
parts in your fuel system and also damage
the plastic and rubber parts. That damage
would not be covered under your warranty.
Some gasolines that are not reformulated for low
emissions may contain an octane-enhancing
additive called methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl (MMT); ask the attendant where you
buy gasoline whether the fuel contains MMT.
General Motors recommends against the use of
such gasolines. Fuels containing MMT can reduce
the life of spark plugs and the performance of
the emission control system may be affected. The
malfunction indicator lamp may turn on. If this
occurs, return to your dealer for service.
252
Diesel Engine Fuel
For the Caterpillar®diesel, see the Caterpillar®
Operation & Maintenance Manual for information
concerning fuel usage.
Notice:Diesel fuel or fuel additives not
recommended in this manual could damage
your fuel system and engine. Your warranty
would not cover this damage. And:
Diesel fuel that has been mixed with engine
oil or automatic transmission uid could
damage your engine and emission controls.
Aftermarket diesel fuel additives are not
tested by General Motors. Some additives,
particularly those which contain alcohol or
water emulsi ers, may damage your fuel
system. If you believe that unique
circumstances call for a fuel additive to be
used, consult your dealer for advice.
If you ever run out of diesel fuel, it can be
difficult to restart your engine. To avoid this,
never let your tank get empty.
If gasoline is ever accidentally added to the fuel
tank, to avoid severe engine damage, do not run
the engine until the fuel tank can be drained.
If you run out of fuel,Running Out of Fuel on
page 262tells you how to restart your engine.
What Fuel to Use
In the United States, for best results use
No. 2-D diesel fuel year-round (above and below
freezing conditions) as oil companies blend
No. 2-D fuel to address climate differences.
No. 1-D diesel fuel may be used in very cold
temperatures (when it stays below 0°F or−18°C);
however, it will produce a power and fuel
economy loss. Avoid the use of No. 1-D diesel
fuel in warm or hot climates. It may result in
stalling, poor starting when the engine is hot, and
may damage the fuel injection system.
It is important that diesel-powered trucks are
refueled only with ultra low-sulfur fuel. The
emission control system requires the use of diesel
fuel with ultra low-sulfur (0.0015% by weight, or
15 ppm, maximum) content. Both ultra low-sulfur
and higher sulfur diesel fuels are available in
the United States and ultra low-sulfur diesel fuel is
available in Canada. However, only higher
sulfur diesel fuel is available in Mexico. Use of
fuels with higher-sulfur content will affect the
function of the emission components and may
cause reduced performance, excessive smoke,
and unpleasant odor.
253
At a minimum, the diesel fuel you use
should meet the latest version of ASTM
specification D 975 (Grades No. 2-D or No. 1-D
S15 commonly known as Ultra Low Sulfur diesel)
in the United States. In addition, the Engine
Manufacturers Association (EMA) has identified
properties of an improved diesel fuel for better
engine performance and durability. Diesel
fuels corresponding to the EMA Recommended
Guideline on Premium Diesel Fuel (FQP-1A) could
provide better starting, less noise, and better
vehicle performance. If there are questions about
the fuel you are using, contact your fuel supplier.
If your vehicle has the 6.6L engine, it is
acceptable to use diesel fuel containing up to
5% biodiesel (B5), but the final blended fuel must
meet the same specification, ASTM D 975 (Grades
No. 2-D or No. 1-D S15 commonly known as Ultra
Low Sulfur diesel), as other fuels used in your
vehicle, and the biodiesel used for making this
fuel must meet the latest version of ASTM
specification D 6751. Biodiesel is produced from
vegetable oils or animal fat that have been
chemically modified to reduce the possibility of
damage to your fuel system and engine. Higher
concentration (i.e., greater than B5)
biodiesel-containing fuels or the use ofunmodified bio-oils blended into diesel fuel at any
concentration is not recommended and could
damage your fuel system and engine. Such
damage would not be covered by your warranty. If
there are questions about the biodiesel-containing
fuels you are using, contact your fuel supplier.
Diesel fuel may foam when you fill your tank. This
can cause the automatic pump nozzle to shut
off, even though your tank is not full. If this
happens, just wait for the foaming to stop and
then continue to fill your tank. SeeFilling the Tank
on page 264.
{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 re could start and people could be
burned. To help avoid this, ll your fuel
tank only until the automatic nozzle shuts
off. Do not try to top it off.
254
What Fuel to Use in Canada
Canadian fuels are blended for seasonal changes.
Diesel Type “A” fuel is blended for better cold
weather starting (below 0°F or−18°C); however,
you may notice some power and fuel economy
loss. If Type “A” fuel is used in warmer
temperatures, stalling and hard starting may
occur. Diesel Type “B” fuel is blended for
temperatures above 0°F (−18°C).
It is important that diesel-powered trucks are
refueled only with ultra low-sulfur fuel. The
emission control system requires the use of diesel
fuel with ultra low-sulfur (0.0015% by weight, or
15 ppm, maximum) content. Both ultra low-sulfur
and higher sulfur diesel fuels are available in
the United States. Use of fuels with higher-sulfur
content will affect the function of the emission
components and may cause reduced performance,
excessive smoke, and unpleasant odor.
At a minimum, the diesel fuel you use should
meet the latest version of specification
CAN/CGSB-3.517 (Low Sulfur Diesel) in Canada.
In addition, the Engine Manufacturers Association
(EMA) has identified properties of an improved
diesel fuel for better engine performance and
durability (FQP-1A). Diesel fuels corresponding tothe EMA description could provide better starting,
less noise, and better vehicle performance. If
there are questions about the fuel you are using,
contact your fuel supplier.
If your vehicle has the 6.6L engine, it is acceptable
to use diesel fuel containing up to 5% biodiesel
(B5), but the final blended fuel must meet the same
specification, CAN/CGSB-3.517 (Low Sulfur Diesel)
in Canada, as other fuels used in your vehicle, and
the biodiesel used for making this fuel must meet
the latest version of ASTM specification D 6751.
Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils or animal
fat that have been chemically modified to reduce
the possibility of damage to your fuel system and
engine. Higher concentration (i.e., greater than B5)
biodiesel-containing fuels or the use of unmodified
bio-oils blended into diesel fuel at any concentration
is not recommended and could damage your fuel
system and engine. Such damage would not be
covered by your warranty. If there are questions
about the biodiesel-containing fuels you are using,
contact your fuel supplier.
255
Very Cold Weather Operation
Follow the instructions listed previously under the
heading “What Fuel to Use.”
Notice:Never use home heating oil or
gasoline in your diesel engine. They can cause
engine damage.
In cold weather, your fuel filter may become
clogged (waxed). To unclog it, move the vehicle to
a warm garage area and warm the filter to
between 32°F and 50°F (0°C to 10°C). You will
not need to replace it. Additional information on the
fuel filter follows.
Water in Fuel
{CAUTION:
Diesel fuel containing water is still
ammable. You could be burned. If you
ever try to drain water from your fuel,
keep sparks, ames and smoking
materials away from the mixture.Notice:If there is water in your diesel fuel
and the weather is warm or humid, fungus and
bacteria can grow in the fuel. They can
damage your fuel system. A diesel fuel biocide
can be used to sterilize your fuel system.
However, your fuel system may still need to be
cleaned. Your dealer can advise you of the
appropriate solution.
If your fuel tank needs to be purged to remove
water, see your dealer or a quali ed technician.
Improper purging can damage your fuel system.
Sometimes, water can be pumped into your fuel
tank along with your diesel fuel. This can happen if
a service station does not regularly inspect and
clean its fuel tanks, or if it gets contaminated fuel
from its suppliers.
If this happens, the
water-in-fuel light, if
equipped, will come on
in the instrument panel.
If it does, the water must
be drained. Your dealer
can show you how to
do this.
256
If the light comes on, use this chart to determine
what action to take.
Water In Fuel Light
Problem Recommended Action
Light comes on
intermittently.Drain water from the
fuel filter.
Light stays on at
temperatures above
freezing.Drain the fuel filter
immediately. If no water
can be drained and the
light stays on, see your
dealer for assistance.
Light stays on at
temperatures below
freezing.Drain the fuel filter
immediately. If no water
can be drained, water
may be frozen in the
water drain system, or in
the fuel lines. Move the
vehicle to a warm location
to thaw out, and then
drain the filter system.
Light stays on
immediately after
refueling, and a large
amount of water was
possibly pumped into the
fuel tank.Fuel tank purging is
required. See your dealer
for assistance.
Notice:If you drive when this warning
indicator is on, you can damage your fuel
injection system and your engine. If the
indicator comes on right after you refuel, it
means water was pumped into your fuel tank.
Turn off your engine immediately. Then,
have the water drained at once.
To drain water, do the following:
1. Stop and park the vehicle in a safe place. Turn
off the engine and apply the parking brake.
2. Remove the fuel cap.
3. Place a fuel-resistant container under the fuel
filter. The filter drain valve is located on the
bottom of the fuel filter.
If your vehicle has the 6.6L engine, the fuel
filter is located in the engine compartment on
the driver’s side of the vehicle. If your
vehicle has either the 7.2L or 7.8L engine, the
fuel filters are located in the engine
compartment on the driver’s side of the
vehicle, and on the driver’s side frame rail in
front of the fuel tank.
257