Preliminary Checks

PRELIMINARY CHECKS

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATING

Establish what driving conditions caused the complaint. Abnormal loads on the cooling system such as the following may be the cause:

- Prolonged idle
- Very high ambient temperature
- Slight tail wind at idle
- Slow traffic
- Traffic jams
- High speed or steep grades

Driving techniques that avoid overheating are:

- Idle with A/C off when temperature gauge is at end of normal range.

TRAILER TOWING:

Consult Trailer Towing section of owners manual. Do not exceed limits.

RECENT SERVICE OR ACCIDENT REPAIR:

Determine if any recent service has been performed on vehicle that may affect the cooling system. This may be:

- Engine adjustments (incorrect timing)
- Slipping engine accessory drive belt(s)
- Brakes (possibly dragging)
- Changed parts. Incorrect water pump or pump rotating in wrong direction due to belt not correctly routed
- Reconditioned radiator or cooling system refilling (possibly under filled or air trapped in system).

NOTE: If investigation reveals none of the previous items as a cause for an engine overheating complaint, refer to the COOLING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS CHART.

These charts are to be used as a quick-reference only.

COOLING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS CHART