Saturn Radiator Overflow Valve Problem

[hen23]

Six months ago, we bought a saturn 2001 s-series for 1000$. It was not in good condition and had a few problems. For one, the antifreeze had not been changed in a very long time and had the consistency of a brownish sludge. We did our best to drain it and then filled it up with new antifreeze. Most of it had been drained.

Now, just about a month ago, we took the car to a new mechanic. We were having the tires rotated and balanced, and decided to get an oil change and a radiator flush while we were at it. We come back to the mechanic to find that he broke a piece of the radiator in a way.

I'm not sure what the part is called, and i dont think there is such a thing as a radiator overflow valve. But the part that the mechanic broke was a nipple on the intake manifold that connected to the antifreeze reservoir with a tube on the passenger side of the car. (This reservoir seems to be the only place to fill the radiator with antifreeze) We're not sure what the mechanic did, but our guess is that he ripped the tube off of the nipple on the intake manifold and the tube took the nipple with it. All that was left was a little stub that he attached the tube to with a plumbers clamp. He also told us that to replace the actual part, it would cost $700.

So now it's a month later now and the tube came off broken nipple. We tried to glue it and clamp it back on, but nothing would hold and it turned out that the last part of the broken nipple was cracked in half. We decided to take a dremel and sand the nipple down and seal it off with a screw. We then sealed off other end of the tube, the part that is on the reservoir, with another screw. We thought this would fix the problem, but it didnt.

The car is still getting very hot when it is running. The temp. gauge is right below the red, and the heat in the car does not work. We filled the radiator with antifreeze through the reservoir, but the car does not seem to be using it. Is the part with the nipple connecting to the overflow reservoir so vital to the engine running? Will it not function without that tube? And is there a way to get around the problem of having no nipple to attach the tube to the reservoir?

[OldNuc]

That is the continuous vent for the cooling system. It MUST be used, you can not seal it off. If you do you will have massive overheating problems. The mechanic broke it, he should fix it. He is legally responsible for the damage he caused. Don't let him fix it just pay for it.

Is this a 2001 SL-1 or SL-2? SOHC or DOHC engine? It probably can be fixed.

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[hen23]

Its a DOHC Sl-2. Is it the mechanics fault completely? Would any proper mechanic go to that tube first and try to pull it off? And if they do, can it be pulled off in a way that wouldnt break it, or did it break because it was just old and so its really not his fault? We dont want to go to him and accuse him of something that may not of been his fault completely, but if you think he is completely at fault here then we will say something to him.

[hen23]

We keep adding antifreeze to the car and driving it around the block. Each time, the car came close to overheating which was when we stopped driving. After each drive, we also added more antifreeze to it. We have put almost 2 gallons into it. The last time we drove it now, it didnt come as close to overheating. Is it possible this method could work?

[eRic 02sc2]

you need to fix your SL2 and reconnect the de-aeration hose to the intake manifold and the coolant recovery reservoir.

[Melissa_M]

I am not sure what is broken or how to fix it.

I have not heard people say things break after doing their coolant flush. At the very least, a proper mechanic would not have sent you on the way with a car that overheats.

Take some photos for your reference info (i.e. 'evidence').
Call the shop and talk to the manager and don't let more time slip by.

Melissa_m

[OldNuc]

You can not really drive it like that. You will ruin teh engine. As recommended above take pictures and go talk with teh manager. You should replace the entire intake as that is a molded part of it and trying to fix just that nipple is not going to work.

You can search here, http://car-part.com/ Looks like a couple hundred will buy a used intake manifold.