Coolant leak. This girl needs help!

SUGARENSPICE324

MEMBER
CHEVROLET

2001 Chevy Cavalier, 75,000. My car has recently started leaking coolant. It did not appear to be coming from the radiator. It seemed to be coming from somewhere below the reservoir near a lower portion of the engine. I brought it to a mechanic and they told me the thermostat was the problem so I had that changed and the system flushed. It still leaks, from the same location as before. Other than the coolant low light and the continuing leak, there are no other symptoms to report. For example, the temperature gauge indicates the temp is fine. It seems I may have gotten ripped off because the thermostat change did nothing to fix the coolant leak. Any ideas as to what is actually wrong? I would really appreciate any guidance, thanks!
Amanda

4 Replies

MIKEYBDMAN

MECHANIC
623 POSTS

The mechanic probably thought the fluid was coming from the overflow on your resevoir. That is an indication of a overheating problem which could be the thermostat. I am suprised that they changed it with you having no overheating problem.
So in that aspect you did get a little ripped off. Now, you have the knowledge that your thermostat is good, and you have new radiator fluid. So know not to trust that mechanic, and dont let it bother you too much.
As for your leak, It can be one of 3 things. Either the resevoir tank is leaking at the bottom, the radiator may have a leak, and the lower engine hose may have a leak. Of those three items, I would think the hose is the most likely problem. You may have to get under the corner of your car with a flashlight and look for that leak.
Good luck

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Sunday, July 23rd, 2006 AT 8:57 PM

DEMEARSJR

MECHANIC
110 POSTS

I have seen the overflows split there seam, but if it wasn't overheating find another mechanic. The low level light is in the resevoir, so if possible disconnect it from the car and leave the hoses attached, run the car and see if it comes from the bottle.

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Sunday, July 23rd, 2006 AT 10:16 PM

SUGARENSPICE324

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2 POSTS

Thank you both so much for your help! I will check those things but someone just told me it might be the water pump that has a leak. I don't know where the water pump is located. Do you know if the water pump is located somewhere in that area underneath the reservoir tank?

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Monday, July 24th, 2006 AT 11:04 AM

MIKEYBDMAN

MECHANIC
623 POSTS

How much is leaking from the area under your resevoir?
The water pump is on the bottom corner of the engine. I found a service bulletin that says one or two drops out of the weep hole is acceptable as normal leakage. If it is only leaking that much from the water pump, it is not worth replacing.
If you send me a PM with your email address, then I can send you a photo of what the water pump looks like.
To replace the water pump, the manual says the exhaust manifold, and timing gear cover both have to be removed. Sounds very expensive.
Let us know what you find.

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Monday, July 24th, 2006 AT 2:41 PM