1997 Saturn SL1 Coolant indicator light

STARLA671

MEMBER
1997 SATURN SL1

Engine Cooling problem
1997 Saturn SL1 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual

I recently got the heater core replaced on my car. Lately, after driving for a little while, the coolant/temp light will flash meaning it needs water. The car temp is not hot, but I have to put water in the reservoir. Most of the time, I only have to put in just a little bit of water. However, after driving more, the light will come back on and more water will have to be added. What does this mean? I can't see where anything is leaking and the car is not overheating.

1 Reply

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

First of all that u so much for ur donation it really helps to keep this website going.U could have a bad coolant cap venting ur coolant off as steam. With out having ur cooling system pressurized to find the leak it's hard to say where the leak is without seeing coolant leaking some where. The most common places to leak is right below ur upper radiator hose on the tank. Also ur water pump it's below ur a/c compressor u can look at ur sub frame on the passenger side see if coolant is dripping off the frame. And ur upper hose just before it goes on to the head on the underside of the hose I have seen them get a weak spot and leak there. They sometimes leak from coolant tank where u fill the coolant up too. Worse case u can added some coolant dye to find it let me know what u find.