engine overheat CHEVROLET TRACKER 1993 User Guide

Problems on the Road
... 202
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 overheat warning with no
sign of steam, try this for
a minute or
1. If you have an air conditioner, turn it
2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the
so:
off.
highest fan speed and open
the
window as necessary.
3. If you’re in a traffic jam, shift to
N (Neutral).
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.
ProCarManuals.com

Problems on the Road
c
Engine damage from running yollr I
engine without coolant isn’t
covered by your warranty.
I
If there seems to be no leak, 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.
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
FULL, add a 50/50 mixture of clean
water
(preferably distilled) and the
proper antifreeze at the coolant recovery
tank. (See “Engine Coolant”
in the
Index for more information about the
proper coolant mix.)
A Adding only plain water to
L 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
antifreeze.
ProCarManuals.com

' In cold weather, water can freeze
and crack the engine, radiator,
\eater core and other parts.
Us
he recommended coolant.
I A You can be burned if you
- b spill coolant on hot engine
parts. Coolant contains ethylene
glycol and it
will burn if the
engine parts are hot enough. Don't
-?ill coolant on a hot engine. When the coolant
in the coolant
recovery tank is at or above
FULL,
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.
I
I
Steam and scalding liquids
- b from a hot cooling system car
blow out and burn you badly. I
They are under pressure, 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
il
you ever have to turn the pressure
cap.
205
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.
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
42 high speed, they can explode
and you or others could be injured.
And, the transmission and 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 km/h) as shown on the
speedometer. Spinning
your wheels can destroy
parts of your vehicle as well as th
tires. If you spin the wheels too
fast while shifting your
transmission
back and forth, you
can destroy your transmission.
ProCarManuals.com

Service & Appearance Care
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
Give boiling protection up to 258°F
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine
Let the warning lights work as they
-34°F (-37°C).
(125°C).
temperature. should.
What to Use:
Use a mixture of one-half clean water
(preferably distilled) and one-half
antifreeze or approved recycled coolant
that meets “GM Specification 6038M,”
which won’t damage aluminum parts.
Also use GM Engine Coolant
Supplement (sealer) with a complete
coolant change. If you use these, you
don’t need to add anything else.
ProCarManuals.com

r
Adding only plain water to
b your cooling system can be
dmgemus. Plaia 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
antifreeve or approved recycled
coolant.
I
Some conditions, such as air trapped in
the cooling system, can affect 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
more than
four time
a year, have your dealer check
your cooling system.
If
you use the proper coolant, you
don’t have to add extra inhibitors
or additivies which claim to
II
241
ProCarManuals.com

Radiator Pressure Cap
IVU I IIJt
Your radiator pressure cap is a 13
- i (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 radiato
filler neck.
I
When you replace your radiator pressure
cap, an
AC* cap is recommended.
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.
Power Steering Fluid
How to Check Power Steering Fluid:
Unscrew the cap and wipe the dipstick
with a clean rag. Replace the cap and
completely tighten it. Then remove the
cap again and look at the fluid level on
the dipstick.
ProCarManuals.com

Index
Children (Safety Belts) ............. 30
Children. Larger (Safety Belts) ...... 37
Cigarette Lighter
................. 77
Circuit Breakers. Fuses and ........ 273
City Driving
.................... 164
Cleaner. Air
.................... 233
Cleaning Aluminum Wheels
............. 269
Canvas Top
................... 268
Fabric. Using Foam-Type
Cleaner on
.................. 263
Fabric. Using Solvent-Type
Cleaner on
.................. 263
Geo. the Iqside of Your
.......... 262
Geo. the Outside of Your
........ 267
Glass
........................ 266
Instrument Panel. the Top of
the . . 266
Special Problems
............... 264
Underbody
.................... 270
Vinyl or Leather
............... 265
Windshield and Wiper Blades
..... 267
AM/FM Stereo
................ 107
AM/FM Stereo with
Cassette Tape Player
.......... 108
Clusters. Instrument Panel and
...... 80
Clutch Adjustment
............... 238
Coinholder and Bin
................ 76
Color
of Road Signs .............. 1 18
Clock.
Setting the Combination Light Bulb
Replacement. Rear
............. 25 1
Comfort Controls and Audio
Systems
...................... 101
Control of a Vehicle
.............. 126
Control.
Loss of ................. 138
Controls
Air Conditioner
................ 104
Brightness ..................... 7 1
Comfort
...................... 102
Features and
................... 43
Heater
....................... 102
Seats and Seat
.................. 12
Convertible Top
.................. 87
Convex Outside Mirror
............ 74
Coolant
Adding
................ .... 242
Engine
....................... 240
Overheating
................... 200
Radiator, How to Add
Coolant to the
................ 206
Recovery Tank, How to Add
Coolant to
.................. 204
Temperature Gage. Engine
........ 85
Cooling (Air Conditioning) ........ 104
Curves, Driving on
............... 132
Customer Assistance for the
Hearing
or Speech Impaired ...... 3 13
Customer Assistance Information
... 3 11
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
.... 3 12 Daytime
Running Lights
........... 70
Defensive Driving
............... 122
Defogger. Rear Window
.......... 105
Defogging and Defrosting
Windows
..................... 104
Dehumidifying (Air Conditioning)
. . 105
Dimensions. Vehicle ............. 279
Disc Brake Wear Indicators
........ 130
Dome Light
...................... 71
Door Locks
......................... 45
Locks. Tailgate
................. 46
Storage Compartments
........... 75
Downhill. Driving
............... 150
Downhill. Parking ............... 172
Drive. Four-wheel
........... .57. 239
Driving
Across an Incline
............... 152
After Off-Road
................ 157
And the Road. Your
............ 117
AtNight
...................... 157
City
......................... 164
Defensive
.................... 122
Downhill
..................... 150
Drunken ...................... 123
Freeway
...................... 165
Guidelines.
Utility Vehicle ....... 140
In
Fog. Mist. and Haze .......... 162
In
Fog. Tips on ................ 163
... 326
ProCarManuals.com

In Mud. Sand. Snow. or Ice ...... 155
In the Rain
.................... 160
In Water ...................... 156
Long Distance
................. 167
On Curves
.................... 132
On Grades (With a Trailer)
....... 184
On Off-Road Hills.
............. 145
On Snow or Ice
................ 174
On the Freeway
................ 165
Suggestions.
A Few More Night . . 159
Uphill
........................ 147
Winter
....................... 173
With a Trailer
................. 182
Drunken Driving
................ 123
Easy Entry Seats
................. 14
Electrical Equipment. Add-on
...... 272
Emergencies. Braking
in .......... 132
Emergencies. Steering
in ......... -134
Engine
Coolant
...................... 240
Coolant Temperature Gage
........ 85
Exhaust
....................... 64
Identification
.................. 272
Oil
.......................... 229
Oil Pressure Light
............... 86
Overheating
................... 200
Specifications
................. 277
Starting Your
................... 49
Through
Deep Standing Water
..... 50 Environment.
Your Vehicle and the
. 282
Exhaust. Engine
.................. 64
Extender. Safety Belt
.............. 39
Fabric Protection
.................... 264
Using Solvent-Type Cleaner on
... 263
Features and Controls
.............. 43
Filling Your Tank (Fuel)
.......... 226
Filter Replacement. Air
........... 234
Flashers. Hazard Warning
......... 190
Flat Tire. Changing a
............. 208
Flat. If a Tire Goes
............... 208
Fluid Using Foam-Type
Cleaner on
..... 263
Five-Speed Manual Transmission
.... 54
Flow-Through Ventilation System
... 106
Automatic Transmission
......... 234
Manual Transmission
........... 237
Recommended
............ 27 1. 305
Windshield Washer
............. 244
Fog. Tips
on Driving in ........... 163
Folding Rear Seats
................ 15
Following Distance (With
a Trailer)
..................... 183
Foreign Countries. Fuels
in ........ 225
Four-wheel Drive
........... .57. 239
Power
Steering
................ 243
Fog. Mist and Haze. Driving
in ..... 162
Foreign Material Paint Damage
..... 269 Four-Wheel-Drive
Vehicle.
Freeway Off-Road
Driving with Your Geo
. . 140
Driving
...................... 165
Driving on the
................. 165
Entering the
................... 165
Leaving the
................... 165
Free-Wheeling Hubs
.............. 58
Automatic
..................... 59
Manual
........................ 59
Fuel
........................... 223
FuelGage
....................... 83
Fuel Tank Filling
................ 226
Fuels
in Foreign Countries ......... 225
Fuse Block. Instrument Panel
...... 275
Fuse Block. Main
................ 274
Fuses and Circuit Breakers
......... 273
Gage. Engine Coolant Temperature
. . 85
Gage. Fuel
...................... 83
Gages and Indicators. Warning
Lights
......................... 82
Gasolines for Cleaner Air
.......... 224
Glass Cleaning
.................. 266
GloveBox
....................... 75
GM Participation
in Better
Business Bureau Mediation/
Arbitration Program
............ 315
Grips. Passenger Assist
............ 76
Guidelines. Utility Vehicle Driving
. . 140
327 9
ProCarManuals.com

Loading Your Vehicle ............ 252
Loading Your Vehicle for
Off-Road Driving
.............. 14 1
Locks.
Door ...................... 45
Loss of Control
.................. 138
Lubricants and Fluids
......... 27 1. 305
Maintenance Materials. Appearance Care and
. . 27 1
Periodic Inspections
............ 303
Record
....................... 308
Other Non-Emission Related
Services
.................... 296
Scheduled Services
............. 285
Underbody
.................... 270
Maintenance Schedule
............ 28 1
Schedule
I .................... 286
Schedule
II.’. .................. 288
Selecting the Right
............. 285
Services. Scheduled
............ 285
Using Your
................... 285
When Trailer Towing
........... 185
Making Turns (With a Trailer)
...... 183
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
........ 85
Manual Transmission
Five-Speed
.................... 54
Fluid ........................ 237
Shift Speeds
.................... 56
Manual. How to Use This ........... 5
Markings. Pavement .............. 12 1
Master Cylinder. Brake ........... 245
Mirrors
......................... 74
Convex Outside
................. 74
Inside Rearview
................. 74
Metal Damage. Sheet
............. 269
Inside Day/Night Rearview
....... 74
Outside Manual Adjust
........... 74
Mud. Sand. Snow. or Ice.
Driving in
.................... 155
New Vehicle
. ‘Break-In’ ........... 48
Night
Driving at
.................... 157
Driving Suggestions. A Few
More
...................... 159
Vision
....................... 158
odometer. Speedometer and
....... 80
Odometer. Trip ................... 8 1
Officer. Traffic
.................. 122
Off-Road Driving
After
........................ 157
Before You Go
................ 141
Getting Familiar with
........... 143
On Hills
...................... 145
With Your Geo Four-Wheel-
Drive Vehicle
............... 140
Loading Your Vehicle
for
........ 141 Off-Road Recovery
.............. 135
Oil. Engine
..................... 229
Additives
..................... 232
How to Check
................. 229
Pressure Light
.................. 86
What Kind to Use
.............. 231
What to
Do with Used ........... 233
When to Add
.................. 230
When
to Change ............... 232
On the Road
.................... 168
Opening and Closing
Your Rear Window
.............. 90
Operation of Lights ................ 69
Overheating, Engine
.............. 200
Owner Checks and Services
........ 302
Paint
Opening and Closing Your Sunroof
... 89
Chemical Spotting
.............. 270
Finish Care
................... 267
Finish Damage
............... 270
Park. Shifting into ................. 61
Park, Shifting out
of ............... 63
Parked, Running Your Engine
While You’re
................... 65 .
329 9 9 9
ProCarManuals.com