1998 SL2 coolant problem

[sixwongs]

I have been losing small amounts of coolant .
I am not sure how much is in the system.
Any easy way to chech ,can't see in the tank like on the older cars.
Istill get heat, but the coolant gauge does't move from the cold position.
Not sure if I want to run the car until I know how much coolant is the system.
I wonder if the thermostat is bad?
Sounds Like ther could be multiple things happening.
Any ideas?

Thanks

[denisond3]

You should be able to see coolant by looking down into the 'overflow bottle' on the curbside of the engine compartment. It this is over half full, I would assume your cooling system had enough liquid in it.
If your temp gauge is staying below 1/4, then either your Engine Coolant Temp Sensor (ECTS) is senile, or the thermostat is stuck open. The ECTS on Saturns very commonly ages and doesnt bring the gauge up - and I think that is more likely than a stuck thermostat. So I would recommend you first change the ECTS sensor (its on the side of the engine head facing the battery, and probably hard to see due to the air inlet tubing). I think there are instructions about doing this on this site. If the gauge still reads below 1/2 when the car has been driven for 15 minutes with a new ECTS installed - then I would believe the thermostat was stuck open. But with the engine idling where its not super breezy, the coolant will get warm then hot, in 15 or 20 minutes, even if the thermostat IS stuck open. I wouldnt try this with a bad ECTS, since I am not sure the radiator fans would come on as they should.
And you can be looking for where coolant is leaking out during this time. If you fill the overflow bottle to the brim, then start the engine and let it get warm; some coolant will run from the over-flow tube, due to expansion when the engine is warm.
It is possible to have the cooling system pressure tested. This is done with the motor shut off, and it pressurizes the cooling system with a hand-pump. Then you crawl around the car (under it too) looking for where the coolant drips from.
A common place for small leaks is from cracks in the plastic side tanks of the radiator. They wont be big, so look for them with a good light. Mine were on the tank that was on the drivers side. They were near the top, so the leak would stop when the water got low.
With the engine running, it is hard to spot leaks from a bad water pump, because the serpentine belt is spinning close by, and will splatter coolant every which way; and the a.c. compressor and radiator hoses keep you from getting a straight view. To have a good view upward from underneath the engine, you would need to remove the bottom splash shield. Thats probably why the bottom splash shield was missing from our car.

[yaz4real]

Your Saturn cooling system is closed. The reservoir actually has a cap that is pressurized. It is not an overflow. The total capacity of the system is about 7 quarts. Another area you may not notice a leak is in the radiator where the upper transmission cooler line goes into the tank, It develops a small hairline crack and is only noticeable when the car is warm. This prevents the gauge from indicating a warmer temperature. The radiator needs replacement if so.

If the engine coolant temperatuere sensor has never been replaced ..do so. It is from $10 - $15 and plays a large role in the efficiency of your engine, It is easily replaced on a cold engine with a 13 mm deep 6 point socket. The one you remove is likely cracked and made of plastic resin. The replacement will be brass tipped. The thermostat is easy to replace also. Get a Stant 195 degree thermostat at an auto parts store. Your gauge should indicate just over the 1/4 mark when warmed.

Visit saturnfans.com since that forum is more active than this site with members who are more informative and timely. Good luck in your endeavors and happy holidays.

[RC1488]

Originally Posted by yaz4real

Your Saturn cooling system is closed. The reservoir actually has a cap that is pressurized. It is not an overflow. The total capacity of the system is about 7 quarts. Another area you may not notice a leak is in the radiator where the upper transmission cooler line goes into the tank, It develops a small hairline crack and is only noticeable when the car is warm. This prevents the gauge from indicating a warmer temperature. The radiator needs replacement if so.

If the engine coolant temperatuere sensor has never been replaced ..do so. It is from $10 - $15 and plays a large role in the efficiency of your engine, It is easily replaced on a cold engine with a 13 mm deep 6 point socket. The one you remove is likely cracked and made of plastic resin. The replacement will be brass tipped. The thermostat is easy to replace also. Get a Stant 195 degree thermostat at an auto parts store. Your gauge should indicate just over the 1/4 mark when warmed.

Visit saturnfans.com since that forum is more active than this site with members who are more informative and timely. Good luck in your endeavors and happy holidays.

+1 saturnfans is amazing haha