1997 Grand Am Overheating and Coolant Loss

GMC
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MICJOHN
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  • 2 POSTS
:( I bought a 1997 grand am in the fall. I was having problems with the heater so I checked the antifreeze and I needed some so I asked a mecahnic friend who told me I needed long life premixed antifreeze so I went ahead and bought some Prestone longlife premixed and added this to the car. Then the heat was not working right so I had a new thermostat put in. Now the problem is the temperture gage goes way to high the light comes on and we don't have much heat. We are also going through alot of antifreeze, the light keeps coming on. I read the manual and it says to put in Dex-Cool antifreeze. Now my big question is, Did I wreck something putting in the wrong antifreeze? Please help I can't go without a car. I am not very well off so I need to have an idea before I have to spend more money. Thanks
Jan 24, 2006 at 10:57 PM
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MVANNESSJR
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 223 POSTS
For warranty work you are supposed to use Dexcool, but if the car is out of warranty no big deal. Dexcool is evil and should be destroyed. However, unless the premixed stuff you used was made to work with any coolant you could have created a problem. If you're burning off a lot of coolant and it isn't ending up on the ground you may have a more serious problem to worry about.
Jan 25, 2006 at 12:06 AM
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SC1 RACING
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 117 POSTS
try to find someone to pressurize coolant system. if a hose is leaking it will be visible, check for water in the oil, also if no leakes are found remove spark plugs, with pressure in coolant system and make sure no antifreeze is passing into the cylinders. however if it is it will smoke and run rough.
Jan 25, 2006 at 1:54 AM
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MICJOHN
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thanks for the info, I have the car in being checked as we speak, he thinks it might be airlocked. Also the plugs need replacing.
Jan 26, 2006 at 12:43 AM
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Suggested Repair

Pressure-test the cooling system and inspect for external leaks. Check the oil for coolant and, if no external leak is found, check whether coolant is entering the cylinders. Bleed any air from the system, since an air lock was suspected, and confirm the coolant is compatible rather than mixing incompatible types.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1997 Grand Am added Prestone long-life premixed coolant after a heater problem, then had the thermostat replaced. The temperature gauge now runs very high, the warning light comes on, heat is weak, and coolant is being lost. The owner asked whether using non-Dex-Cool coolant caused damage. Experts said coolant type is less critical out of warranty but incompatible coolant can cause problems, and unexplained coolant loss may indicate a serious internal issue. They recommended a cooling-system pressure test, checking for coolant in the oil, and checking for coolant entering the cylinders. The owner later said the car was being inspected for a possible air lock and that the spark plugs needed replacement.

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