1997 Malibu overheating radiator

[tjr19136]

This car at first had a bad head gasket, I fix it with a bottle of Bar's Leak from autozone for $9.99. After that the car was driving fine for about a week. One day I was just looking under the hood to fill it up with water and forgotten to tighten the radiator cap and i notice steam and water coming from the side of my car. I tried just tighten the cap but that did not work so i replace the cap. But i also notice water leaking from the radiator into the engine again................. Today i tried putting some more Bar's Leak into the radiator to............But i notice water and air coming from the radiator cap......


What can cause radiator cap to allow water and air through

[Johnny R]

1. You wrote: "I fix it with a bottle of Bar's Leak"
MY COMMENT: Sorry to give you the bad news, but you didn't fix anything. You delayed a fix, and maybe made the problem worse.
2. You wrote: "Tried to tighten the cap but that didn't work"
MY COMMENT: It likely had some Bar's Leak sludge in there preventing a tight seal.
3.You wrote: "Notice water leaking into the engine again"
MY QUESTION: How do you notice that?
4. You wrote: "What can cause reaiator cap to allow water and air through . .?"
MY COMMENT: Bars Leak sludge. You need a total flush and for heaven's sake, bite the bullet and replace that gasket. Unfortunately, we can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

[tjr19136]

lol first I am going to response to answer #3,--- other words when i feel the radiator with water and drive for like 3 mins and just the radiator container the water is gone.........And when i just the dipstick it over fill with a mix of oil and water.........Yea i need to replace the gasket but i dont have a $1,000 to spend.......