How to Troubleshoot the Cooling System in a Geo Tracker
- 1). See if your water pump is leaking. The water pump pushes antifreeze through the engine, radiator and heater core. A slight smell of antifreeze or spots of it under your Tracker when parked for a short time indicate a worn out water pump.
- 2). Inspect the hoses for cracks, collapses, leaks or dry appearance. This includes upper and lower radiator hoses, heater and bypass hoses and manifold coolant hoses. Your upper hoses for instance, measure about 2 inches wide and carry coolant between the radiator and engine. Damaged hoses lead to cooling system problems.
- 3). Check your antifreeze amount. Overheating can result from low coolant levels, so add antifreeze to the coolant tank reservoir. In this case, use a 50/50 mixture of top-quality ethylene glycol base antifreeze and distilled water. This applies to both the 8-valve and 16-valve engines.
- 4). Drain and flush the cooling system to help diagnose cooling system problems. Make certain you dispose drained antifreeze properly because the coolant's sweet smell attracts animals and small children. Ingesting the poisonous liquid can be fatal.
- 5). Look at the radiator cap for signs of wear and tear. Erosion can plague a worn out cap. Ask a mechanic to use a pressure tester or an adapter to inspect the cap's pressure rating and operation. Replace a defective cap right away.
- 6). Clean up the front of your radiator. When you drive, dirt, rocks, leaves and other debris suck into the fins of your radiator causing overheating. Wash it with soapy water, a soft nylon brush, and a garden hose to rinse.
- 7). Examine the thermostat to see if it sticks. You can pinpoint a stuck thermostat by constant low temperature readings or peaks between high and normal temperatures. Your thermostat is generally located inside the housing on the engine side of the upper radiator hose.