GMC SIERRA 1995 Owners Manual

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 toold 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 falls below 0°F (-1 S”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). To unclog it,
warm the filter to between
32°F and 50°F (OOC 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 show
you how to do this.
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L
WATER
IN
FUEL
If the light comes on at any other time, use this chart. 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.
If you drive when this warning light is on, you can damage your
fuel injection system and your engine.
If the light comes on right
after you refuel,
it means water was pumped into your fuel tank.
Turn
off your engine immediately. Then, have the water drained
at once.
“WATER IN FUEL” LIGHT CHART
Problem Recommended Action
Light comes on intermittently. Drain water from fuel filter.
Light stays on:
1. At temperatures above freezing.
2. At temperatures below freezing.
3. Immediately after refueling -
large amount of water possibly
pumped into
fuel tank. Drain fuel filter
immediately.
If no
water can be drained and light stays
on, see your dealer for assistance.
Drain fuel filter immediately.
If no
water can be drained-water may
be frozen. Open the air bleed valve
to check for fuel pressure.
If no fuel
pressure is present, replace the fuel
filter.
Fuel tank purging required. See
your dealer for assistance.
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Hesitation or “flat” performance at high speed or during \
hard acceleration
may be an indication of premature fuel filter plugging due to dirty or
contaminated fuel. The fidter element may need to be changed
if this
happens. See your dealer for assistance.
To drain water:
1. Stop and park the vehicle in a safe place. Turn off the engine and apply
2. Remove the fuel tank cap.
the parking brake.
3. Place a
fuel-resistant container under the filter drain hose.
5.
6.
7.
8.
4. With the engine
off, open the
water drain valve
2 to 3 turns.
When standing in
front of the
vehicle, the valve
is located on the
right side of the
thermostat
housing.
Start the engine and allow it to idle until clear fuel is ob\
served.
Stop the engine and close the water drain valve.
Remove the fuel-resistant container and properly dispose of the
contaminated fuel.
To find out how to properly dispose of contaminated
diesel fuel see “What to Do with Used Oil” in the “E\
ngine Oil (Diesel
Engines)” part, later in this section.
Install the fuel tank cap.
If the WATER IN FUEL light comes on again after driving a short distance
or the engine runs rough or stalls-a large amount of water has probably
been pumped into the
fuel tank. The fuel tank should be purged.
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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:
I. 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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A CAUTION:
Diesel fuel is flammable. It could start a fire if it gets on hot
engine parts. You could be burned. Don't let too much fuel flow
from the air bleed
valve, and wipe up any spilled fuel with a
cloth.
3. Close the air bleed valve.
4. Turn the ignition key to START for 10 to 15 seconds at a time until
your engine starts.
Fuel Filter Replacement (Diesel Engines)
If you want to change the fuel filter yourself, here's how to do it:
A CAUTION:
Diesel fuel is flammable. It could start a fire if something ignites
it, and you could be burned. Don't let it get on hot engine parts,
and keep matches or other ignition sources away.
First. drain any water from the filter following the procedure for draining
water listed previously.
Your vehicle's engine should be off until the end
of the following procedure.
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Take off the fuel tank cap. This releases vacuum in the tank.
3. Unscrew and
remove the ring
nut from the top
of the
filter head.
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7.
8.
9.
10.
4. Lift the element
out
of the filter
head.
5. If there is any dirt
on the element
sealing surface
of
the filter head,
clean
it off.
6. Line up the
widest slot in the
top of the new
element with
the
widest key on
then top of the
filter head. Push
the element in
until the mating
surfaces touch.
Replace and tighten the ring
nut to the top of the filter head
With
the air bleed valve open, turn your ignition key to START for 10
to 15 seconds. Wait one minute for your starter to cool. Do this until
you can see clear fuel coming from the air bleed valve.
Close the air bleed valve and replace the fuel cap.
Start your engine and let it idle for five minutes. Check your
fuel filter
and air bleed valve for leaks.
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Fuels in Foreign Countries (Gasoline Engines)
If you plan on driving in another country outside the U.S. or Canada,
unleaded fuel may be hard to find.
Do not use leaded gasoline. If you use
even one tankful, your emission controls won’t work well or at all. With
continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust system can corrode,
and your engine
oil can deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle’s oxygen sensor
will be damaged.
All of that means costly repairs that wouldn’t be covered
by your warranty.
To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil
company that does business in the country where you’ll be driving.
You can also write
us at the following address for advice. Just tell us where
you’re going and give your Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
General Motors Overseas Distribution Corporation,
North American Export Sales (NAES)
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
Filling Your Tank
The fuel cap is behind
a hinged door on
the
left side of your
vehicle.
A CAUTION:
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns violently, and that
can cause very bad injuries. Don’t smoke
if you’re near gasoline
or refueling your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames, and smoking
materials away from gasoline.
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While refueling, hang
the cap inside the fuel
door.
To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left (counterclockwise).
-~
A CAUTION:
If you get gasoline on yourself and then something ignites it, you
could be badly burned. Gasoline can spray out on you if you
1 open the fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen if
your tank is nearly full, and
is more likely in hot weather. Open
the
fuel filler cap slowly and wait for any “hiss” noise to stop.
Then unscrew the cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill gasoline. Clean gasoline from painted surfaces as
soon as possible. See “Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle” in the Index.
When
you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until you hear a clicking
noise.
1 NOTICE:
If you need a new cap, be sure t.0 get the right type. Your dealer
can get one for you.
If you get the wrong type, it may not fit or
have proper venting, and your fuel tank and emissions system
might be damaged.
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Checking Things Under the Hood
Hood Release
To open the hood, first
pull the handle inside
the vehicle.
Then go to the front of
the vehicle and pull up
on the secondary hood
release, located just to
the passenger side
of
the center of the grill.
Lift the hood.
Your vehicle,
if it has
air conditioning, may
have a auxiliary
engine fan in addition
to the belt driven fan.
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A CAUTION:
If your vehicle has air conditioning, the auxiliary engine fan
under the hood can start up and injure you even when the
engine is not running. Keep hands, clothing and tools
away from
any underhood electric fan.
A CAUTION:
Things that burn can get on hot engine parts and start a fire.
These include liquids like gasoline or diesel fuel, oil, coolant,
brake fluid, windshield washer and other fluids, and plastic
or
rubber. You or others could be burned. Be careful not to drop or
spill things that
will burn onto a hot engine.
Before closing the hood, be sure
all filler caps are on properly. Pull down
the
hood and close it firmly.
Cleaning Your Diesel Engine
I NOTICE:
If you spray or pour water or any other liquid on your engine
when it is warm or hot, or when it
is running, you could cause
serious damage to it.
If you ever clean the engine, clean it only
when it is cold.
Noise Control System
The following information relates to compliance with Federal noise
emission standards for vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
of more than 10,000 pounds (4 536 kilograms). The Maintenance
Schedule booklet provides information on maintaining
the noise control
system to minimize degradation of the noise emission control system during
the life of your vehicle. The noise control system warranty is given in your
Warranty booklet.
These standards apply only
to vehicles sold in the United States.
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