antifreeze leak ?????

[godenm]

i hav a 98 & 97 cavalier, on both my cars coolant leaks from the cap on the resevour while im driving. they dont run hot, & the coolant is full. i changed the caps w/ new ones. but still, when i park u can see antifreeze on top of the resevour & in the fender wheel. if any one knows what may be goin on or if this is pretty common in these cars please let me know.

[public]

First, is it overfilled?

Next, Check your radiator cap. DexCool can gel up and hold the small brass return open. This allows the coolant to expand and flow to the tank when it should not. If you notice the rust coloured gel, flush the system right away. You may also consider replacing DexCool with regular green coolant. I had to do this with my 94. Good Luck.

[BlazerLT]

Sounds like you are overfilling the overflow resevoirs.

Don't fill the overflow tanks right to the top. Leave about 2-3 inches at the top.

Also, check the rubber hose going from the cap to the overflow tank for leaks.

[godenm]

thanx 4 the suggestions, i think your right, i think im overfillin them. the damn low coolant light stays on & i thought it wasnt full. but i tapped the sensor w/a screwdriver & the light cut off! thanx...

[BlazerLT]

Yea, only have the coolant bottle up to 1 inch 1.5 inches below the top so the fluid that expands when hot has a place to go.

Also, I hope you are not mixing the green with the ornage stuff.

[godenm]

yeah im gonna try that and see what happens. and no, i only use the orange dex. in both of my cavis. ... its funny, ive built a hand full of these engines, but something as small as this had me stumped

[BlazerLT]

Trust me, that is normal. The little things I always miss too.

[godenm]

you hav a cavi 2?

[BlazerLT]

Yip, 1994 Cavalier VL

125,000miles and gets 39MPG on the highway.

[godenm]

thats pretty good mileage, also, 125000 isnt bad either, one of my cavis (98) has 207000

[sonicboomer03]

"thats pretty good mileage, also, 125000 isnt bad either, one of my cavis (98) has 207000"

Damn kid...what year was it! Good mileage you say?? What part of 125,000 ISNT bad? Youre poor engines! Im at 103K and scared shitless for my engine! I thought only honda engines still lived past 200K....youre lucky! lol I take it you didnt race it with 207K miles though!!!!

Good luck with the coolant leak If overfilling ISNT the problem try what 'public' said...Ive had DexCool gel up on me on my last cavalier. Good luck again!

[BlazerLT]

These engines are really tough if maintained properly.

207k for a 1998 means it has had a alot of highway driving which is awesome for an engine. Bet you he can get over 300k if he keeps it going and changes the timebelt.

[godenm]

yeah, ALOT of highway driving, up and down east coast. i drive trucks and i used to just ''drop off'' trucks & drive my car back home. but its been tooken care of by me, no one else has ever driven the car. and the timing chain is new,it didnt go bad but i changed it anyway. and hell yeah i still race it! it runs better 1/4 mile times now then it did new. good maintanance,good tuning=good car