02 sl1 overheating gushing coolant and throwin codes

[Loanshark]

Ok so my brother gave me his 2002 sl1. It has 207000 miles. Today while sitting at a stoplight I noticed the temp gauge climbing. He warned me that when the gauge reaches the half point it gushes coolant out the cap. So when I got to my destination I popped the hood to see what was up. A few minutes later it started gushing so I shut it down. The gauge read half or just over... Then the SES light came on. P0301 and p0410... Where should I start.

[lil_buddy]

ECTS
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho....php?t=177672#

[magtec]

coolant reservoir cap, the ECTS will not make it gush coolant at the half mark.

[ShawnV]

Originally Posted by magtec

coolant reservoir cap, the ECTS will not make it gush coolant at the half mark.

+1 This might be an easy fix!

Follow mag's advice and replace the coolant cap. Get one used or at your local auto parts store.

[madpogue]

Originally Posted by magtec

the ECTS will not make it gush coolant at the half mark.

It will if it's failed, and the temp is actually a lot higher than it's reporting. But if it's pushed coolant out the cap multiple times, best to replace it anyway.

P0301 is probably an intake manifold gasket failure. Separate problem.

[Loanshark]

That would be an easy fix. I forgot to mention, I have not heard the fan kick on unless I turn on the AC. Though I don't know if it is really warm enough to trigger it. Could the reservoir cap really be causing this? Or is this just a place to start?

[dbsanfte]

The computer relies on the ECTS signal to tell it when the coolant is hot enough to turn on the fan. If the ECTS is cracked and sending bad data, it never gets that signal and the fan never turns on, even if it's boiling.

Replace the coolant temp sensor and the rad cap, about $20 total, and you should be fine.

Replace the intake manifold gasket too, although that's a separate issue. Also fairly cheap.

[Loanshark]

Thanks for the help folks. I will report back soon...

Bye the way I got 36.74 mpg from Detroit to north of Cincinnati (~240 miles) when I brought it home, with no issues.

[Loanshark]

I changed the ECTS and coolant cap this evening. The temp gauge reads at about 5/16. I didn't want to let it sit and get hot... It is not getting up to the 3/8 while moving. Should I go ahead and do the thermostat? Is the Stant from advance auto ok?

[td1238]

5/16 does sound low. Stick a meat thermometer in the reservoir after the temperature has stabilized for at least 15 minutes of driving, preferably at high speed. It should read over 190. If it doesn't, then the thermostat is likely leaking. The stat tends to also be bad when the other two go bad.

Be careful not to burn yourself.

[Loanshark]

Coolant was 175 degrees so I did the thermostat tonight... The gauge now rides at 3/8. New issue, the low coolant light is on. Can I poke the float to try and free it up? Where is it?

[alordofchaos]

It's in the reservoir tank, where you add the coolant. Sometimes it just needs a little shake, other times, you need to take the tank off and rinse out thoroughly.

First, make sure it is really full. The coolant should be up to the plastic dividers you see inside the tank.

Being used to "overflow tanks" from way back when, first time I filled up my car, I only filled it about halfway up the side of the tank

[Loanshark]

It fixed itself... Thanks for all the help. This is a great forum!

[madpogue]

Originally Posted by Loanshark

It fixed itself... Thanks for all the help. This is a great forum!

"Things don't fix themselves...." (sorry, couldn't help it.....)

[Loanshark]

Lol, let me rephrase then. The light went out, I will mess with it the next time I need to drain the coolant.

[madpogue]

The float probably just got unstuck. The Brazil reference was a joke....

[Loanshark]

Originally Posted by madpogue

The float probably just got unstuck. The Brazil reference was a joke....

Oh yeah, I know. I've never seen that, was it good?

[madpogue]

Originally Posted by Loanshark

Oh yeah, I know. I've never seen that, was it good?

One of the best, most bizarre movies of all time. If you're into dark comedy with a healthy dose of social commentary on modern times, get it and be prepared to watch it several times.