2001 Saturn SC2 Overheating

SHYLOH

MEMBER
2001 SATURN SC2
1.9L
4 CYL
TURBO
2WD
MANUAL
150,500 MILES

My 2001 Saturn SC2 1.9L 4cycl has been overheating, and I have yet to find the actual problem.

My temperature gauge sits almost in the middle of 1/4 and 1/2 on the regular but once it gets to a little over half the water inside the reservoir expansion tank begins to boil out of the cap.

I have already replaced the ECTS on the driver side of engine, the sensor on the side of the air filter assembly - someone told me it was a second ECTS, the expansion tanks cap, and am about to go get a new thermostat.

The radiator fan kicks on with the a/c on full blast no problem, but the if a/c is left off the water will begin to boil when the temperature gauge reaches about 1/2.

Would like to know of any other likely solutions to my problem. As of now this vehicle drives 100 miles a day with the help of about 2 gallons of water.

1 Reply

FREEMBA

MECHANIC
1,152 POSTS

Your cooling system has a leak. Question is; is this leak internal or external.
To find out, have a shop to pressure test the cooling system. During the pressure test the tech will be able to see coolant leaking it there is an external leak.

There is another test to see if coolant is leaking into the combustion chamber (internal leak). The shop can do that as well. However you can do this test on your own. Let me know if you're interested in doing it yourself and I'll send you instructions.

Finally, check your oil. If coolant is leaking into the combustion chamber it will eventually make its way into the crankcase and show when you check the oil. If coolant is getting into your oil the oil color will be a light tan (about the color of a manila folder).

In the case of an internal leak you'll have to remove the cylinder head to repair it.

CAUTION: Get this taken care of ASAP! Driving this car 100 miles a day with a coolant leak could easily ruin your engine! If it should leak all (or the majority) of the water out your engine would severely overheat and damage would occur.