engine overheat CHEVROLET CAVALIER 1996 3.G User Guide

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 overhear warn J wlm no sign of steam,
try this for a. minute or
so:
1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it off.
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan
speed and open the window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to NEUTRAL (N);
otherwise, shift to the highest gear while
driving
-- AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (D)
or THIRD (3) for automatic transaxles.
If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can drive.
Just to be safe, drive slower for about
10 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 slgn 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 ofthe 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.
When you decide it’s safe to lift the hood, here’s what
you’ll see:
2.2L
Engine
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The coolant level should be at the FULL COLD line. 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.
’ A C * UTION:
-- I
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:
r
~~ ~
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.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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 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
DEX-COOL TM antifreeze.
I NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the
engine, radiator, heater core and other parts.
So
use the recommended coolant. You
can be burned if you spill coolant
01 lot
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.
1. You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap
when the cooling system, including the
coolant surge
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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
rr t use caution.
If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can
explode, and you or others could be injured. And,
the transaxle 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 kdh) as shown
on the speedometer.
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 transaxle back and
forth,
you can destroy your transaxle.
For information about using tire chains on your vehicle,
see “Tire Chains” in the Index.
Rocking your, vehicle to get it out:
First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will
clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back
and forth between REVERSE
(R) and a forward gear (or
with a manual transaxle, between
mRST (1) or
SECOND
(2) and REVERSE (R)), spinning the wheels
as little as possible. (If your vehicle has the Enhanced
Traction System, shift back and forth between
REVERSE
(R) and FIRST (1) or SECOND (2),
spinning the wheels as little as possible.) Release the
,accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on
the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. If
that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need
to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see
“Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.
5-33

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When to Check and What to Use
Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine how
often you should check the fluid level in your clutch
master cylinder reservoir and for the proper fluid. See
“Owner Checks and Services” and “Recommended
Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index.
How to Check
You do not need to check the fluid level unless you
suspect a clutch problem. To check the fluid level, take
the cap off.
If the fluid reaches the step inside the
reservoir, the fluid level
is correct.
Engine Coolant
The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with new
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored, silicate-free) engine
coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in your
vehicle for
5 years or 100,000 miles ( 166 000 km),
whichever occurs first.
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.
A 50/50 mixture of water and the proper coolant for
your Chevrolet will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37OC).
e Give boiling protection up to 265 “F (129°C).
0 Protect against rust and corrosion.
e Help keep the proper engine temperature.
e Let the warning lights and gages work as
they should.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
When adding coolant it is important that you
use DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored, silicate-free)
coolant meeting
GM Specification 6277M.
If silicated coolant is added to the system,
premature engine, heater core or radiator
corrosion may result. In addition, the engine
coolant will require change sooner
-- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months
whichever occurs first.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half clean water (preferably
distilled) and one-half
DEX-COOL TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze that meets
GM Specification
6277M, which won’t damage aluminum parts. Use
GM Engine Coolant Supplement (sealer) (GM Part
No. 3634621) with any complete coolant change. 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 DEX-COOL
TM (orange-colored,
silicate-free) antifreeze.
6-23

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 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.
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.
I
Checking Coolant
The surge tank is located on the passenger side of the
engine compartment.
"urning the surge tank pressure cap when the
engine and radiator are hot can allow steam and
scalding liquids to blow out and burn you badly.
Never turn the surge tank pressure cap
-- even a
little -- when the engine and radiator are hot.
6-24

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at
the
FULL COLD mark.
If this light comes on, it
means you’re low on engine
coolant.
See “Low Coolant Light” in
the Index.
Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix at the
surge tank, but only when the engine is cool.
‘ A CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn
if the engine pasts are hot
enough. Don’t spill coolant on
a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is tight.
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Your surge tank cap is a 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap and must be tightly installed
to
prevent coolant loss and possible engine damage
from overheating.
When you replace your surge tank pressure cap, a GM
cap is recommended.
6-25

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Tires
We don’t make tires. Your new Chevrolet comes with
high-quality tires made
by a leading tire manufacturer. If
you ever have questions about your tire warranty and
where to obtain service, see your Chevrolet Warranty
booklet for details.
Poorly maintained and improperly used tires
are dangerous.
0 Overloadingyour tires can cause
overheating as
a result of too much friction.
You could have an air-out and
a serious
accident, See “Loading Your Vehicle” in
the Index.
CAUTION: (Continued)
-
L
0 Underinflated tires pose the same danger as
overloaded tires. The resulting accident
could. cause serious injury. Check all tires
frequently to maintain the recommended
pressure. Tire pressure should be checked
when your tires are cold.
cut, punctured or broken by
a sudden
impact
-- such as when you hit a pothole.
Keep tires at the recommended pressure.
0 Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If your
tread is badly worn, or if your tires have
been damaged, replace them.
0 Overinflated tires are more likely to be
6-36

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your Chevrolet
unless you check with your dealer first. Some
electrical equipment can damage your vehicle and
the damage wouldn’t be covered by your warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can keep other
components from working
as they should.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to your Chevrolet, see “Servicing
Your
Air Bag-Equipped Chevrolet” in the Index.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring is protected by fuses. Should your
headlamps fail to function have your headlamp system
checked right away.
Windshield Wiper Fuse
The windshield wiper motor is protected by a circuit breaker
and a fuse.
If the motor overheats due to heavy snow, etc., the
wiper will stop until the moIor cools. If the overload is caused
by some electrical problem,
have it fixed.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers in the fuse panel protect the power
windows and other power accessories. When the current
load is too heavy, the circuit breaker opens and closes,
protecting the circuit until the problem
is fixed.
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The wiring circuits in your vehicle are protected from
short circuits by a combination of fuses, circuit breakers
and fusible thermal links. This greatly reduces the
chance of damage caused by electrical problems.
Look at the silver-colored band inside the fuse.
If the band
is broken or melted, replace the fuse. Be sure you replace
a bad fuse with a new one of the identical
size and rating.
If you ever have a problem on the road and don’t have a
spare fuse, you can borrow one that has the same
amperage. Just pick some feature of your vehicle that
you can get along without -- like the radio or cigarette
lighter
-- and use its fuse if it is the correct amperage.
Replace
it as soon as you can.
There are two fuse blocks in your vehicle: the
instrument panel fuse block and the engine compartment
fuse block.
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