COOLING
TAB LE O F CO NTE NTS
page page
COOLING
OPERATION - COOLING SYSTEM ...........1
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - PRELIMINARY
CHECKS .............................1
COOLING SYSTEM .....................2
ACCESSORY DRIVE .......................5
ENGINE .................................9
COOLI N G
OPERATION - COOLING SYSTEM
The cooling system regula tes en gin e operating tem-
perat ure. It allows the engine to r each norm al oper-
ating tem perature as quickly as possible. It also
mainta ins normal oper ating tem perat ure and pre-
vent s overh eating.
The cooling system also provides a mean s of heat -
ing th e passenger com pa rtment a nd cooling the aut o-
matic t ransmission fluid (if equipped). The coolin g
system is pressurized and uses a cent rifugal water
pu mp to circulate coolan t throu ghou t the syst em.
DI AGN OSI S AN D T EST I N G
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - PRELIMINARY
CHECKS
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM OVERHEATING
Establish wha t driving condition s cau sed t he com-
plaint. Abnorm al loa ds on the cooling syst em such as
the following may be t he cau se:
• PROLONGED IDLE
• VERY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
• SLIGH T TAIL WIND AT IDLE
• SLOW TRAF FIC
• TRAFFIC J AMS
• HIGH SPEED OR STEE P GRADES
Driving tech niqu es tha t avoid overh eating are:
• Idle with A/C off when temper ature gauge is at
end of normal range.
• Increasin g engine speed for more air flow is rec-
ommen ded.
TRAILER TOWING:
Consult Trailer Towing section of owner s man ual.
Do not exceed limits.
AIR CONDITIONING; ADD - ON OR AFTER MARKET:
A maximu m cooling pa ckage should have been
ordered with vehicle if add-on or aft er m arket A/C is
insta lled. If not, maximu m cooling system compo-
nent s should be installed for model involved per
manufactu rer’s specifications.
RECENT SERVICE OR ACCIDENT REPAIR:
Deter mine if any recent ser vice has been per-
formed on vehicle that may effect cooling system .
Th is m a y be:
• Engine a djust ment s (incorr ect tim ing)
• Slipping engine accessory drive belt(s)
• Br akes (possibly dragging)
• Ch anged parts. Incorr ect wa ter pump or pump
rotating in wrong dir ection due to belt not correctly
routed
• Reconditioned r adiat or or coolin g syst em refill-
ing (possibly under filled or air t rapped in system).
NOTE: If investigation reveals none of the previous
items as a cause for an engine overheating com-
plaint, (Refer to 7 - COOLING - DIAGNOSIS AND
TESTING)
VA COOLING 7 - 1
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