Warning lights not on, but steam from radiator

[CherAnn]

We have a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am. Today when my son got home from baseball (after a 40 minute drive) I followed him into the garage. I noticed a little steam coming from the hood of the car. At first, I thought it might be weather related as it was 90 degrees and humid (we live in Minnesota). However, my car was fine. So, I opened the hood & noticed there was a little bit of steam coming from the radiator cap & the fluid was bubbling. I let the engine cool down and then checked the levels. On this particular car it was hard to determine. I decided to add some Preston (and yes, after much thought and reading I added the dreaded recommended DexCool). My son said this happened once before. None of the warning lights came on. He said the engine temperature gauge was in normal range - but high normal.

What should I be concerned about?

I'm am letting my son drive to weight training & Basketball camp tomorrow - 6.5 miles round trip. Will short trips be okay? (Of course my husband is out of town and I know nothing about cars, other than steam is not good. Oh yeah - the hoses appear to be good and there was no prestone on the garage floor.

[Hoags]

Your short trips should be OK, but I would keep an eye on it. You have said that you added coolant, was the fluid real low on the over flow bottle?
Also, what size engine is in the car, and what is the milage on the car, and has the coolant ever been changed?

Welcome to the Forum, there are many knowledgable people omn this forum and I am sure that we will be able to help you to get this issue, and any other issues you have with your Grand Am, resolved.

[shyguy5885]

when u said there was steam coming from the cap, was it actually coming from around the cap, or was it coming out of the rubber overflow tube? if it was coming from around the cap, i would guess the cap is bad. u might also have some air bubbles in the system if the fluid got so low at one point. other bigger possibilities might be a clog(partial) in the system, or your thermostat might be starting to get stuck closed. after the car has been running a few minutes, feel both radiator hoses(large diameter) on the left and right side of the radiator - they should both be warm/hot. be careful when doing this to not touch any moving fans, serpentine belt, or hot exhaust. hope this helps.

[doobiess]

but yes never mix the 2.. its will react with each other and cause major varnish buildup fast.. so immediatly drain the system and flush real good then refil with either or.. but by the sounds of things his thermostat is sticking.. replace coolant thermostat and i would recomend the resivior cap