I've been trying to diagnose an overheating issue with no luck.
Apparently, I'm losing coolant and I'm thinking it might be coming out of the coolant reservoir.
I noticed the temp rising the other day and then the heater stopped blowing hot air. I pulled over to look the car over and I didn't see any leaks, but the coolant reservoir was empty.
I filled it with coolant and thought I might want to bleed the system of air too so I turned the car on with the reservoir cap off. When I gave it a little gas, the coolant started spilling out of the reservoir. I turned the car off and I could see coolant under the car now, but I think it was from the reservoir since I couldn't see it coming from anywhere else.
I drove it five minutes home and the temp was normal, but the coolant light never turned off.
Could a bad coolant reservoir cap be causing these symptoms? Or perhaps a faulty thermostat?
I'm ready to call it quits with it and let a mechanic look it over. If its the headgasket, I'm afraid it might not be cost effective to fix it.
97 Sunfire
2.2L Auto
130,000 miles
1997 Pontiac Sunfire
Has the cooling system been serviced, Flush / new thermostat / Proper coolant mixure?. Could be as simple as a colasped rad hose. Just a little trouble shooting, IS all thats needed. If you have a H/G issue the signs should show on youre spark plugs, Should have greenish or white color indicating thats the problem.
GoodLuck.
I had a problem of my car geting overheat and the coolant abandoning the reservoir. I went to autozone bought a new cap and guess what it didnt solve it. After changing radiator, using a headgasket sealant etc. etc. the problem continued.
I decided to go to the dealer and buy a new reservoir cap it was double the price from the one I bought in autozone but voila, problem solved.
My recommendation, change the cap its the cheapest first step. I hope this solves your problem.
Anyone driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac...
I had the very same problem with my cavalier i found out that my electrical fan and my radiator was bad so i went to a junkyard and radiator.com to get the parts and after that the problem was solved and also check your hoses.
UPDATE
I thought I'd update this thread. The problem appears to have been a malfunctioning coolant cap. Pressurized the system and noticed anytime the coolant system would come up to pressure, the coolant would leak from the cap. Bought a new cap, topped off coolant and bled system and everything was perfect.
Verified fan was turning on a proper temp. OK.
Also verified the temp gauge reads a little high even though the temp is in normal operating temp. OK.
So everything has been great since.
My low coolant light did kick on yesterday and has yet to turn off. I checked the coolant level and it was full though. Literally, you wouldn't even be able to put a cup of coolant in the reservoir tank. It was full. So I'm not sure what is up with it. Perhaps the sensor is on the fritz?
1997 Pontiac Sunfire
