Engine Cooling problem

[blusaturn1]

1999 Saturn SL1 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual 165000 miles

A couple weeks ago: coolant leaking badly & over heating (dial all the way over in red). So I take it in. They check the cooling system & said the water pump was leaking. Recommended new water pump & thermostat to remedy problem. Done on Sat. Car is still over heating after 5 minutes of driving, even with coolant full. Consequently, the heater is also not working, only blowing out cold air.

*There was about a week's time that lapsed between the diagnoses and actually getting the repairs, during which he said driving it around may have made a bigger problem than before. What could be wrong that's making it overheat? Any response is greatly appreciated.

[RC1488]

Do a compression test. With the temp gauge in the red you may have warped your head.

Ive also seen where the coolant line going from the bottom of the reservoir to the radiator get clogged with junk thus not allowing any fluid into the radiator or engine.

Do NOT let the car get into the red on the gauge. If you do, you might as well start looking for a new engine or new head

[blusaturn1]

Thanks so much for a reply!!

If that's the case, would it be worth it to get a mobile mechanic out to see? Can they test it? Or does the entire engine have to come out even be able to tell? Also, are the head & head gasket 2 different things?

[RC1488]

Originally Posted by blusaturn1

Thanks so much for a reply!!

If that's the case, would it be worth it to get a mobile mechanic out to see? Can they test it? Or does the entire engine have to come out even be able to tell? Also, are the head & head gasket 2 different things?

You can do the compression test yourself if you have the compression tester (15 bucks from sears). Otherwise you can have someone else do it for you.

The test can be done with out removing the engine.

Yes the head and head gasket are two different items. The head is aluminum and the gasket is more of a cardboard type of object.

[blusaturn1]

Originally Posted by RC1488

You can do the compression test yourself if you have the compression tester (15 bucks from sears). Otherwise you can have someone else do it for you.

The test can be done with out removing the engine.

Yes the head and head gasket are two different items. The head is aluminum and the gasket is more of a cardboard type of object.

Thanks.. Prior to the water pump & t-stat replacement, I paid $40 for an initial diagnostic, which included a coolant system check. He said it checked out fine with no problem. Are the coolant system check & compression test the same or no?

I have a mobile mech coming by soon. Should I ask him to do this? I'm not trying to sound dumb or difficult, I just have a lot of detailed questions I guess. Many thanks.

[RC1488]

Originally Posted by blusaturn1

Thanks.. Prior to the water pump & t-stat replacement, I paid $40 for an initial diagnostic, which included a coolant system check. He said it checked out fine with no problem. Are the coolant system check & compression test the same or no?

I have a mobile mech coming by soon. Should I ask him to do this? I'm not trying to sound dumb or difficult, I just have a lot of detailed questions I guess. Many thanks.

A coolant test is not the same exactly, but it would show if the coolant was leaking into the engine by some means. However since your water pump was bad even though the coolant test supposedly was fine, i would VOID those results by that person.

Ask the mobile mech to do a compression test both dry AND wet. He/she should know what that means. (for your reference a wet compression test is when after an initial compression test is done on all cylinders, another set is done with about 1cc of oil poured into the cylinders. Any changes/lack of change in compression numbers helps diagnosis what the issue may be if there is one).

And no problem! Thats what this forum is for