new problem coolant 2001 SC2 Coupe

[changeling616]

I was out driving today and noticed the low coolant light came on. First, I thought because I replaced the radiator recently, maybe a connection got a little loose.

While driving home, a bunch of steam was coming from under the hood. I was worried - did not want to run out of coolant so much that the car might overheat and I would not make it back.

The temp gauge went up a ways, but a very good distance from the dangerous temperature.

When I got back, I opened the hood.

Coolant seems to be pouring out of a hole in the engine... where maybe a bolt used to be? I don't know engines and coolant systems - will include a photo with a circle around the "hole" I am referring to - the oil dipstick thing is pointing almost right to it.

[trottida]

That is the bolt hole for the optional block heater. It should not have a bolt in it unless you have a block heater.

[changeling616]

Originally Posted by trottida

That is the bolt hole for the optional block heater. It should not have a bolt in it unless you have a block heater.

I thought it was coming out there, but not sure.

I will probably add more coolant and let it run and try to observe where it really is coming.

Don't like this new headache problem.

[changeling616]

Originally Posted by changeling616

I thought it was coming out there, but not sure.

I will probably add more coolant and let it run and try to observe where it really is coming.

Don't like this new headache problem.

Maybe not "new" after all.

Just moments ago, I put more coolant in, started the engine, and waited for it to get warm enough to pump stuff through the radiator.

The leak is NOT on engine block. The new radiator is leaking. Probably looked like engine block was leaking because the fan starts running and throws coolant on engine.

I now wish I never tried to replace the radiator on my own. I got frustrated so many times that I may have not been very gentle with the new radiator.

Now it's cold out, and I have no indoor place to work on it, so even if I did want to do it, I have no good place do it.

This is frustrating.

[changeling616]

Originally Posted by changeling616

Maybe not "new" after all.

Just moments ago, I put more coolant in, started the engine, and waited for it to get warm enough to pump stuff through the radiator.

The leak is NOT on engine block. The new radiator is leaking. Probably looked like engine block was leaking because the fan starts running and throws coolant on engine.

I now wish I never tried to replace the radiator on my own. I got frustrated so many times that I may have not been very gentle with the new radiator.

Now it's cold out, and I have no indoor place to work on it, so even if I did want to do it, I have no good place do it.

This is frustrating.

I used the word "patient", but I had extreme difficulty getting all radiator, A/C condenser, etc., all in that location. It's a very tight fit, and things got banged around in the process.

[Saturn Night]

Pull the AC condenser and compressor off the engine. It makes things a lot easier to work on, under the hood. Unless you absolutely need the AC system, to me they are not worth the hassle.

[fdryer]

Where's the actual leak? Any friends with a garage to work in after you determine what's wrong and have a plan on repairs to minimize time in a garage?

[TomM96]

The vehicle may need a second 'new' radiator.

It is pretty normal to create about as many problems as one solves, for the first year (or few!) of DIY maintenance, absent some technical training, and a decent shop... not to mention a spare vehicle and a loose schedule.... It is also advisable to reside in a location that features at least one 'FLAPS' (and, ideally an automotive machine shop & dealership) within convenient walking distance.

I had a neighbor who had been employed by Grumman Aircraft for 20+ years as a machinist (he so enjoyed machining that he had a nice Southbend lathe in his garage).
He bought cars New, and maintained them. He advised me (always acquiring well-used cars), that any vehicle, for which a full supply of replacement parts was not available, was 'JUNK' !

One useful technique/talent: figuring out how to proceed in a service task, without disassembling way too much, or too little, surrounding components.
Also/then, assessing the better/worse sequence of steps in the procedure.

[mattwithcats]

Before you take the car apart again, drop two crushed Bar's Stop Leak tablets in the radiator.

They were supposedly put in at the factory....

https://barsleaks.com/product/radiat...k-tablets-hdc/

They also come as AC Delco product, 12378255
https://www.acdelco.com/auto-parts/v...seal-tabs.html

[alordofchaos]

Originally Posted by changeling616

Now it's cold out, and I have no indoor place to work on it, so even if I did want to do it, I have no good place do it.

What's your location? We can park our cars outside on weekends so you can use the space. Unheated garage, but better than outside

I just have to convince my wife that you aren't an internet weirdo who will murder us - I'll tell her that Saturn people are nice

[hholbein]

Do you remember the brand of radiator you put in? Some folks here have found that some replacements were really crappy and failed in short order.

It's harder and harder to find quality replacement parts for our cars -- although Denso I think makes a radiator for our models now....