heating GMC SIERRA 1994 User Guide

,ngine Overheating
You will find a coolant temperature gage on your vehicle instrument panel.
If you have a diesel engine, you will also find a low coolant light on your
instrument panel.
If Steam 1s Coming From Your Engine
NOTICE:
If your engine catches fire because you keep driving with no
coolant, your vehicle can be badly damaged. The costly repairs
would not be covered by your warranty.
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Cold Weather Operation
In cold weather (below 20”F, or -7”C), use 1-D or “Winterized” Number
2-D fuel (a blend of I-D and 2-D). Be sure you get the right fuel. In very
cold temperatures (when
it stays below 0°F or -1 8OC), use Number 1-D.
If you’re driving in very cold temperatures and can’t get Number I-D or a
“winterized” Number
2-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 falls below
0°F (-1 8” C), because the fuel economy of kerosene
isn’t
as good as that of diesel fuel.
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), especially if
you use Number
2-D diesel fuel that hasn’t been “winterized.” 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.
If this happens,
a “WATER IN FUEL” light will come on. If it does, the
excess water must be drained. Your dealer can do this
for you.
This light also should
come on briefly when
you start your engine,
as a check. If it
doesn’t, have it fixed
so it will be there to
let you know if you
ever
do get water in
your fuel.
L
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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.
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 "Sta\
rt" for 10
to 15 seconds to crank (but not start) your engine. Wait one minut\
e
between intervals of cranking to allow the starter motor to cool.
Overheating the starter could damage it. Keep doing this until you can
just see some clear fuel at the air bleed valve. (If, during this ste\
p, the
engine starts, turn the ignition
off and close the valve before restart.)
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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 -20 OF (-29”C), or -34°F (-37°C) in
Canada and for vehicles with the cold climate option.
Give boiling protection up to 258 OF ( 125 O 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 clean wuter (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
Specification 6038-M” with a complete coolant flush and refill. If you use
this mixture, you don’t need to add anything else.
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Radiator Pressure Cap-Gas Engines
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.
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.
Surge Tank Pressure Cap- Diesel Engines
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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.
Power Steering Fluid
NOTICE:
Always turn the engine off before checking or adding power
steering fluid. The power steering pump cap is close to the fan
and other moving parts.
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.
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Driving (continued) AtNight
............................................... 4-24. 4.38
BackingUp
.................................................. 4-42
Defensive
.................................................... 4-2
Downhill
.................................................... 4-19
Freeway
...................................................... 4-29
Highway Hypnosis
............................................ 4-30
Hydroplaning
................................................ 4-27
InBlizzard
................................................... 4-35
InCity
...................................................... 4-28
InRain
...................................................... 4-26
In Sand, Mud, Ice, Or Snow
........................... 2-15,4-22, 5-40
InWater
..................................................... 4-23
Nightvision
................................................. 4-25
Off-Roading
................................................. 4-13
OnGrades
................................................... 4-43
On Hill and Mountain Roads .................................... 4-31
On Off-Road Hills
............................................ 4-16
On Snow or Ice
..................................... 2-15,433, 4-55
Skidding
.................................................... 4-12
Stuck in Deep Snow
...................................... 4-40, 5-40
Throughwater
.......................................... 2-15, 4-23
Uphill
...................................................... 4-17
Winter
...................................................... 4-33
WithaTrailer
................................................ 4-41
DrunkenDriving ................................................. 4-2
E
Electronic Heating/Air Conditioning (See “Heating”) Engine Adding Coolant
..................................... 5.14.5.17. 6-41
Coolant (Block) Heater
................................ 2.19.3-4. 6.23
Cold Weather Starting (Diesel)
................................... 2-17
Coolant
...................................... 5.13.5.20.6-92. 6.98
Coolant Temperature Gage
...................................... 2-79
Diesel
.................................................. 2.16. 6-5
Crankcase .............................................. 2.96. 6.93
Exhaust
................................................ 2.33. 6.64
FanNoise
................................................... 5-25
Identification
................................................. 6-89
Oil (See “Oil”)
RunningWhileParked
......................................... 2-33
Aircleaner
.................................................. 6-29
Noise Control System
.......................................... 6-16
Overheating
.................................................. 5-11
starting ................................................ 2.12. 2.16
Equipment. Add-on
............................................. 6-68
Exhaustsystem
............................................ 2.33. 6-64
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Gages (continued) Tachometer
.................................................. 2-69
Voltmeter
.................................................... 2-82
Trip Odometer
................................................ 2-68
HalogenBulbs .................................................. 6-54
Hazard Warning Flashers
........................................... 5-2
Head Restraints
.................................................. 1-5
Headlights
........................................... 2-49,6-53, 6-62
Composite
................................................... 6-54
Halogen
..................................................... 6-54
High Beam Indicator Light
...................................... 2-76
SealedBeam
................................................. 6-53
Heating System (with
A/C) ......................................... 3-6
Rear Window Defogger
......................................... 3-8
Heating System (without A/C)
....................................... 3-5
FanKnob ..................................................... 3-5
FunctionLever
................................................ 3-5
Rear Window Defogger
......................................... 3-8
Hi~h-LowBeam
.............................................. 241
System Controls ............................................... 3-6
Temperature Lever
............................................. 3-5
Highway Hypnosis ............................................... 4-30
Hitches ........................................................ 4-40
Hood
CheclungUnder
.............................................. 6-15
LatchesandHinge ............................................ 6-51
Horn
.......................................................... 2-39
Hydraulicclutch
................................................ 6-34
Grease Fitting
................................................ 6-35
Hydroplaning
................................................... 4-27
I
If You’re Stuck in Sand. Mud. Ice. or Snow ........................... 5-40
Ignitionswitch .................................................. 2-11
Inflation-Tire Pressure ............................................ 6-71
Instrument Panel ................................................ 2-67
Cluster
...................................................... 2-67
Tachometer Cluster
............................................ 2-67
J
Jack Storage ............................................... 5.29, 5.39
Jumpstarting
.................................................... 5-3
K
Key ReleaseLever ............................................... 2-12
Keys
........................................................... 2-3
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