cooling GMC SIERRA 1995 User Guide

I A CAUTION:
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:
Engine damage from running your engine without coolant isn’t
covered by your warranty.
If there seems to be no leak, start the engine again. See if the fan speed
increases when idle speed
is doubled by pushing the accelerator pedal down.
If
it doesn’t, your vehicle needs service. Turn off the engine.
How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank
I NOTICE:
The diesel engine has a specific coolant fill procedure. Failure to
follow this procedure could cause your engine to overheat and be
severely damaged.
If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level isn’t at the COLD
mark, add a
50/50 mixture of cleun water (preferably distilled) and a proper
antifreeze at the coolant surge tank, but be sure the cooling system,
including the
coolant surge tank pressure cap, is cool before you do it. (See
“Engine Coolant”
in the Index for more information about the proper
coolant mix.)
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A CAUTION:
Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling system can blow
out and burn you badly. They are under pressure, and
if you
turn the coolant surge tank pressure cap
- even a little - they
can come out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap,
is hot.
’ Wait for the cooling system and coolant surge tank pressure cap
to cool
if you ever have to turn the pressure cap.
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 a proper antifreeze.
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NOTICE:
In cold weather, water can freeze and crack the engine, radiator,
heater core and other parts.
So use the recommended coolant.
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.
1. You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling
system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap and upper
radiator hose,
is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly to the left
until it first stops. (Don't press down while turning the pressure cap.)
If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means there is still some
pressure left.
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Engine Fan Noise
Your vehicle has a clutched engine cooling fan. When the clutch is engaged,
the fan spins faster
to provide more air to cool the engine. In most every day
driving conditions the fan is spinning slower and the clutch is
not fully
engaged. This improves fuel economy and reduces fan noise. Under heavy
vehicle loading, trailer towing and/or high outside temperatures, the fan
speed increases as the clutch more fully engages.
So you may hear an
increase
in fan noise. This is normal and should not be mistaken as the
transmission slipping or making extra shifts.
It is merely the cooling system
functioning properly. The fan will slow down when additional cooling is not
required and the clutch partially disengages.
You may also hear this fan noise when you start the engine. It will go away
as the
fan clutch partially disengages.
If a Tire Goes Flat
It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you
maintain your tires properly. If air goes out
of a tire, it’s much more likely to
leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few tips
about what to expect and what to do:
If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle
toward that side. Take your foot
off the accelerator pedal and grip the
steering wheel firmly, Steer
to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a
stop well out of
the traffic lane.
A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a skid and may
require the same correction you’d use in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove
your
foot from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by
steering the way
you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy and
noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well
off the road if
possible.
If a tire goes flat, the next part shows how to use your jacking equipment to
change a flat tire safely.
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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 vehicle will:
Give freezing protection down to -34°F (-37°C).
0 Give boiling protection up to 262°F (128°C).
Protect against rust and corrosion.
Help keep the proper engine temperature.
Let the warning gages work as they should.
What to Use
Use a mixture of one-half cleun water (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.” Use GM Coolant Supplement (Sealer) with a
complete coolant flush and refill. If you use this mixture. you don’t need to
add anything else.
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
a proper antifreeze.
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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.
Some conditions. such as air trapped
in the cooling system. can affect the
coolant level
in thc 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 lour timcs a ycar, 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.
Adding Coolant - Gasoline Engine
The coolant reco\wy
tank is located on the
passenger side
at the
rear comer
of the
engine compartment.
To Check Coolant
When your engine is cold, the coolant level should be at the COLD mark, or
a little higher. When your engine is warm, the level should be up to the
HOT mark, or a little higher.
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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
How To Check Power Steering Fluid
When the engine compartment is cool, 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 dips\
tick.
The level should be at the
FULL COLD mark. Add enough fluid to bring
the level
up to the mark.
A fluid loss in this system could indicate a problem. Have the system
inspected and repaired.
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Windshield Wiper Blade Inserts
To replace the
windshield wiper
blade insert, lift
the
wiper arm and rotate
the blade until
it is
facing away from the
windshield.
Unlatch the end
of the insert from the holding clips. Remove the insert and
slide
a new one in place. Make sure the blade is secured in the clips.
Air Conditioning
Every now and then have your dealership check your air conditioning
system to be sure it
has not lost any cooling ability. If you think the system
is not working properly, have your dealership check it out as soon as
possi bleb
The air conditioning will
not work when the temperature is below 40°F
(4°C).
Fluid Leak Check
After the vehicle has been parked for a while, inspect the surface under the
vehicle for water, oil, fuel
or other fluids. Water dripping from the air
conditioning system after it has been used is normal.
If you notice fuel leaks
or fumes, the causes should be found and corrected at once.
Lock Cylinders
To be sure your locks operate properly, they must be lubricated. Your
vehicle’s maintenance schedule will tell you how often to lubricate them.
See “Recommended Fluids and Lubricants” in the Index for
the proper
lubricant to use.
You should
not use penetrating oils because they could wash out the factory
installed lubricant and cause
the lock to bind. De-icers which contain
alcohol could also
wash away the lubricant, so be sure to lubricate the lock
after using
a de-icer of this type.
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Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance
The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced carefully at the
factory
to give you the longest tire life and best overall performance.
In most cases, you will not need to have your wheels aligned again.
However, if
you notice unusual tire wear or your vehicle pulling one way or
the other,
the alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle
vibrating when driving
on a smooth road, your wheels may need to be
rebalanced.
Wheel Replacement
Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, or badly rusted or corroded. If
wheel nuts keep coming loose, the wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts
should be replaced.
If the wheel leaks air, replace it (except some aluminum
wheels, which can sometimes be repaired). See your
GM dealer if any of
these conditions exist.
Your dealer will know the kind of wheel you need.
Each new wheel should have the same load carrying capacity, diameter,
width, offset, and be mounted the same way as the one
it replaces.
If you need to replace any of your wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts,
replace them only with new
GM original equipment parts. This way, you
will be sure to have the right wheel, wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for your
vehicle.
A CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel bolts, or wheel nuts
on your vehicle can be dangerous. It could affect the braking
and handling
of your vehicle, make your tires lose air and make
you lose control, You could have a collision in which
you or
others could be injured. Always use the correct wheel, wheel
bolts, and wheel
nuts for replacement.
NOTICE:
The wrong wheel can also cause problems with bearing life,
brake cooling, speedometer/odometer calibration, headlamp
aim, bumper height, vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire
chain clearance to the body and chassis.
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Wheel Nut Torque
MODEL
C 1500
K 1500 & C-K 2500
C-K 2500
(w/CGP)
C-K 3500
-Single Rear Wheels
C3500
-Dual Rear Wheels
C3500 HD
-Front
-Rear
DESCRIPTION
5 bolts ( 14mm)
6 bolts (14mm)
8 bolts ( 14mm)
8 bolts ( 14mm)
8 bolts (14rnm)
5 bolts (518 in.)
10 bolts (5/8 in.)
Cooling System Capacity
ENGINE
4.3L
5 .OL
5.7L
6.5L
6.5L
6.5L
7.4L
7.4L w/3500
HD
VIN
Z
H
K
P
S
F
N
N
TORQUE
120 ft. lbs. (1 60 Nmm)
120 ft. lbs. (160 Nmm)
120 ft. lbs. (160 Nom)
120
ft. lbs. (1 60 Nom)
140 ft. lbs. ( 190 Nmm)
175 ft. lbs. (240 Nom)
175 ft. lbs. (240 Nom)
QUANTITY*
13 Quarts (12.3 Liters)
17.5 Quarts (16.6
Liters)
17.5 Quarts (16.5
Liters)
23.5 Quarts (22.2
Liters)
23.5 Quarts (22.2
Liters)
23.5 Quarts (22.2
Liters)
25
Quarts (23.5 Liters)
28.5
Quarts (27 Liters)
After refill, the level
MUST be checked as outlined under “Engine Cooling
System”
in Section 5.
*All quantities are approximate.
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