expecting the Worse, Need help please

I got quite an issue and I hope someone can help me. I have a 2000 Sunfire 2.2L, the car seems to have low or no coolant in the resevoir tank and I put Dexcool and Water in there a couple times already this week. The heater only works when the car is in motion, even though the temp guage goes max. and gives me the check guages idiot light. The low coolant and check engine light have been coming on also. I think I ruled out a couple of things. I think if it was the water pump, it would come out as a big rush of water/coolant. I see no visible leakage under the car, but I do smell coolant and it the steam seems to be coming outof the center of the engine. I don't see a ruptured hose or a hole in the radiator and the hoses are all connected and secure. If I could get some assistance i would appreciate it. Thanks in advance. Also , if someone can tell me if it is easy to do at home or better off getting bent over at the mechanic.

You may have a bad water pump, often they will ony leak under pressure at first. Check the weep holes on the shaft of the pump as this is where any leakage will come out. If you are smelling it and you do NOT have any white smoke at the tail pipe then you do have a leak. You will need to find and repair it before you blow a head gasket. Good Luck.

Also check or replace your radiator cap. If bad it will let you loose coolant very fast through the overflow.

Also check or replace your radiator cap. If bad it will let you loose coolant very fast through the overflow.


I forgot to mention, the only place I see leakage is through the overflow. Big time too!! I fill it up to the level indicator line and then it leaks out like crazy. Heres the thing, there is no radiator cap. The only cap I can find is to the resovoir. I always assume the worst. I hope its the radiator cap, that would be great. I always thought when a head gasket goes or is going it smelled sweet and I see no white smoke, just steam, and no sweet oil smell.

Some cars use a presurized overflow. This would be your problem.