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Chevrolet Cavalier Coolant System Issues

42 messages,  Last post on Sep 02, 2012 at 11:01 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Cavalier, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 5

#3 of 42 2002 Cavalier with Fan turning on at 215F by jth543210

Sep 18, 2007 (6:29 pm)

I have a 2002 Chevy Cavalier with 105,000 miles on it. I've had the coolant replaced at around 75,000 (which I later discovered was a mistake on my part, but the dealership suggested it and was happy with the $$$)
 
Ever since then, my engine has been running hotter than before, and at 105,000 miles, I had a tuneup and requested the coolant strength tested. After I did that, the engine now runs even hotter without the fan turning on. I decided to let the engine idle for awhile to see when the fan kicks in and it starts at about 215 degrees, runs for 10 seconds and the temperature falls to around 205-210 and doesn't take long to go back to 215.
 
It makes me nervous with any car, where the temperature raises above the half-way mark on the dial. I called where I had it serviced in the first place, and then I contacted the Chevy Dealer. Both places ask "Is it in the red zone? Does the fan turn on? Does the engine start to cool?" and as long as I say the engine is not in the red zone, they're like "Don't worry about it, then." It doesn't help that the "red zone" is about 260 and the max temp on the gauge is 265. And when I try to say "Well, the temperature didn't used to get that hot" and I have to answer that the fan kicks in and cools the engine back to 210, I get treated like an idiot again.
 
All I know is that for 5 years, my car has been running around 180-190 with the fan not letting it get above 195 and I want it to run the same as before. How do I get the dealership to do anything for me, or how can I fix the problem myself?

#4 of 42 Re: 2002 Cavalier with Fan turning on at 215F [jth543210] by gonogo

Sep 19, 2007 (8:54 am)

Replying to: jth543210 (Sep 18, 2007 6:29 pm)
Actually the fan comes on at about 228 deg F, this is normal. I know of no fix for factory programing. With the A/C on the fan will run all the time under 40 MPH.

#5 of 42 2003 cavalier with loss of coolant by bobsu

May 03, 2008 (5:04 am)

I returned home after a 200 mile trip and had to add a half gallon of coolant. My mechanic says that this is caused by a faulty thermostat. How is a faulty thermostat a cause of this coolant loss? Driving around town does not cause coolant loss.

#6 of 42 Re: 2003 cavalier with loss of coolant [bobsu] by chevy_man76

May 03, 2008 (5:26 pm)

Replying to: bobsu (May 03, 2008 5:04 am)
First thing, did your mechanic pressure test your cooling system ? If not, request it.
If you are having to add a half gallon of coolant after a trip then you have a leak. A pressure test can help determine where the leak is coming from. The most common places for a leak is around the head gasket and around the water pump or through the water pump seep hole. Also, another suggestion would be to check your oil. If it looks milky, you have an internal coolant leak. If you have an internal coolant leak, get it fixed ASAP before serious engine damage occurs. Also, white smoke & a sweet smell are a good indication you have a coolant leak. On another note, your mechanic is wrong. Your thermostat is not causing the coolant loss.

#7 of 42 Re: 2000 Cavalier Cooing System Restriction [xcrossroadsx] by chevy_man76

May 03, 2008 (5:38 pm)

Replying to: xcrossroadsx (May 28, 2007 5:40 pm)
Sounds like a plugged radiator. Same thing happened to me last year in my 1994 cavalier.

#8 of 42 Re: 2003 cavalier with loss of coolant [bobsu] by xcrossroadsx

May 04, 2008 (6:00 pm)

Replying to: bobsu (May 03, 2008 5:04 am)
I had the same issue with a 2000 Cavailier. Mount a small plastic container and run the overflow hose into it. If coolant is coming out of the hose before buying another radiator cap do a compression test. If all cylinders are not up to pressure it could be the head gasket. Unfortuntely that is what was causing my coolant loss

#9 of 42 help overheat!! by nooklearwinter

Jul 17, 2008 (1:35 pm)

ive recently had my thermostat replaced and my radiator flushed, i have a 2001 cavalier, instead of dex cool they put in the green type of coolant after the flush, but instead of my tempurature staying at 195 (exactly half), it goes up to 3/4 about 230 degrees, is this because of the different coolant (doubtful), the aftermarket thermstat, or the summer heat, it never done this in all these years since ive had the car i am the only owner..a mechanic said it WAS NOT a head gasket problem, please help

#10 of 42 Where is my coolant going? by sunkill

Sep 29, 2008 (4:50 pm)

My 2000 cavalier is loosing some serious coolant. There is no sign of external leakage and I've checked the oil and it's normal. There isn't any smoke either. Where is it going. I'm also loosing power and it's getting hard to start. The heater blows hot on and off, the thermostat has been replaced and the temp. gauge is on red and fluctuates. Please give me a clue!

#11 of 42 Re: Where is my coolant going? [sunkill] by xcrossroadsx

Sep 30, 2008 (4:57 am)

Replying to: sunkill (Sep 29, 2008 4:50 pm)
Disconnect the radiator hoses, run water through the hoses and ensure no blockagein radiator or hoses. If blocked flush or remove and boil. Take the overflow hose from plastic resivoir & duct tape a soda bottle to it and wedge in engine compartment. If soda bottle fills up after driving car after enssuring radiator is not blocked run compression test. Most likely head gasket.

#12 of 42 Same issue, but its the water pump by litestorm17

Oct 15, 2008 (9:16 am)

Mine has been loosing coolant too. I suspected the head gasket, because my oil was smoking when I removed the cap, but it was still the same color. Also I couldn't smell any coolant burning in my oil. There wasn't any leaks on the ground, but I went and had it pressure tested, and it turns out that it was my water pump that has a small leak on it. I would have it pressure tested before you throw away tons of money to get a new head gasket, because that may not be what is wrong.

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