heating CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1996 User Guide

Canadian Fuels
Diesel-powered trucks are now equipped with emission control systems that
require the use of diesel fuel with low-sulfur
(.05% by weight) content.
Both low- and higher-sulfur fuels will be available
in Canada. Only
low-sulfur diesel fuels are available
in the United States. It is important that
diesel-powered trucks are refueled with low-sulfur fuel. 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.
Cold Weather Operation
Follow the instructions listed previously under the heading “What Fuel to
Use
.”
If you’re driving in very cold temperatures and can’t get a “winterized”
Number
2-D that has been adapted to cold weather or a Number 1-D, you
can use one gallon of kerosene for every two gallons of diesel fuel. Once
you add the kerosene, run your engine for several minutes
so the fuels will
mix. Add kerosene only when
the temperature fills below 0°F (-I 8”C),
because the fuel economy of kerosene isn’t as good as that of diesel fuel.
I 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,
warm the filter to between 32°F and 50°F (0°C to 10°C). You won’t need
to replace it.
Water in Fuel
Sometimes, water can be pumped into your fuel tank along with your diesel
fuel. This can happen if a service station doesn’t regularly inspect and clean
its fuel tanks, or if it gets contaminated fuel from its suppliers.
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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. You’ll need
a diesel fuel biocide to
sterilize your fuel system. Your dealer can advise you if you ever
need this.
If your fuel tank needs to be purged to remove water,
see your
dealer or
a qualified technician. Improper purging can damage
your fuel system.
Running Out of Fuel (Diesel Engines)
If the engine stalls and you think that you’ve run out of fuel, do this:
First, open the fuel
filter air bleed valve.
Briefly crank the
engine and have
someone watch
the
bleed valve. If there is
air,
then you are
probably
out of fuel.
To restart your engine:
1. If you’re parked on a level surface, add at least two gallons of fuel.
However, if you’re parked on a slope, you may need to add up to five
gallons of fuel.
2. With the air bleed valve open, turn your ignition key to START for 10
to 15 seconds to crank (but not start) your engine. Wait one minute
between intervals of cranking to allow the starter motor
to cool.
Overheating the starter motor could damage
it. Keep doing this until
you can just see some clear fuel at the air bleed valve. (If, during this
step, the engine starts, turn the ignition off and close the valve before
restart.)
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How to Check Lubricant
P
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
(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.
The proper coolant for your vehicle will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
Give boiling protection up to 262°F (128°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning lights and gages work as they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half chi? wcmr (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
6-33
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To Add Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper mix crt the surge tunk, but only
when the engine
is cool. If the surge tank is empty, see “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index for the proper fill procedure.
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
parts are hot enough. Don’t spill coolant on
a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure
cap, make sure it is tight.
Radiator Pressure Cap - Gasoline Engine
The radiator pressure
cap
must be tightly
installed
with the
arrows on the cap
lined up with the
overflow tube
on the
radiator filler neck.
U
NOTICE:
Your radiator 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. Be sure the arrows on the cap
line up with the overflow tube on the radiator filler neck.
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Surge Tank Pressure Cap - Diesel Engine
The surge tank
pressure cap must
be
tightly installed with
the arrows on the cap
lined up with the top
tube
of the coolant
surge tank.
NOTICE:
Your surge tank pressure cap is a unique 15 psi (105 kPa)
pressure-type cap for use with surge tank cooling systems only.
It 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 top tube of the coolant surge tank.
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.
6-38
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E
Eiectrical System
Engine Add-On
Equipment
........................................... 6-74
Adding Coolant
. Diesel Engine ........................... 5.18, 636
Adding Coolant
- Gasoline Engine .... , .................... 5-1 1’6-35 .
Air Cieaner
Coolant
.........................
Coolant Heater ...................
Coolant Temperature Gage (See “Gages‘
Diesel Heater Output
...............
.
......................
Control Module System ............
........................... 6-25
........................... 6-53
........................... 6-33
.................. 2-19.3-4. 6-19
1
............................ 3-4
Exhaust
..................................................... 2-31
FanNoise
................................................... 5-24
Identification .................................. 6-72.6-73.6-76. 6-77
Oil (See “Oil”)
Overheating
................................................... 5-9
RunningWhileParked ......................................... 2-32
Starting Your Gasoline Engine
................................... 2-13
Starting Your Diesel Engine
..................................... 2-15
Exhaust System
............................................... 6-53
F
Filter Replacement Chart (See “Service-Replacement Parts and Filter
Recommendations’’)
Fluid Capacities (See “Capacities and Specification”)
Fluid Leak Check
..................................... ........ 6-45
Fluids (See “Scheduled Maintenance Services”)
Four-WheelDrive
............................................... 2-33
Front Axle Locking Feature
..................................... 2-35
Transfer Case
........................................... 2-33. 6-32
Canadian
..................................................... 6-5
Diesel
....................................................... 6-4
Filling Your Tank ............................................. 6-11
Foreign Countries (Gasoline Engines)
............................. 6-11
Filter Replacement (Diesel Engines)
............................... 6-9
Gage (See “Gages”)
Gasoline
..................................................... 6-2
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
........................................ 6-3
Running Out of Fuel (Diesel Engines) .............................. 6-8
Tankcapacity ................................................ 6-78
Water in Fuel (Diesel Engines) ............................... 2-70. 6-5
Fuses and Circuit Breakers ................................... 6-75. 6-81
FuseBlock
............................................. 6-766-80
Fuel
4
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