1998 Saturn SL1 Overheating and Coolant Leak

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STEFANEE_M
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  • 1 POST
1998 Saturn SL1, 97500 miles. Leaks orange colored fluid near front driver's side (I assume antifreeze). Has smell as if radiator is hot. Car runs hot if it idles in park or neutral. Smells the same after driving long distance. Also high idle in park. Shuts off hard when ignition turned off. Otherwise, runs well, about 30 mpg. Thanks for your help.
Feb 21, 2007 at 12:00 PM
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CHEVY22
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have a shope perform a coolant pressure test to determine the leak and also if there are any others , and yes it is antifreeze,
Feb 21, 2007 at 12:19 PM
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KIN CHAN
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if u don't have a problem for spd higher than 30 mph...its gotta be ur electric fan not working...also u mention a leak..have a shop coolant pressure leak test..there might be a leak which cause pressure lost...let me know how it come out..
Feb 21, 2007 at 12:22 PM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,158 POSTS
What they said^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^!
Also have you checked and or replaced the ects (coolant temp sensor). The original ones from saturn had a plastic tip that would crack. Yours would be due if it is original. Replace it with the updated brass tip design from saturn.

That would cause the high idle and poor fuel economy and also they leak. Check the pigtail while you are at it. Replce it also if it is too far corroded.

Good luck and let us know. :)
Feb 25, 2007 at 2:24 PM

Suggested Repair

Have a shop perform a coolant pressure test to locate the orange coolant leak and any related pressure loss. If overheating occurs only at idle, check whether the electric cooling fan is working. Also inspect the coolant temperature sensor; replace an original plastic-tip sensor with the updated brass-tip design and replace the connector pigtail if it is corroded.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1998 Saturn SL1 with 97,500 miles reports an orange fluid leak near the front driver's side, a hot radiator smell, overheating at idle in park or neutral, a high idle in park, and a hard shutdown. The car otherwise runs well and gets about 30 mpg. Experts identify the fluid as antifreeze and recommend a coolant pressure test, checking the electric fan if the problem occurs only below about 30 mph, and replacing a possibly cracked original coolant temperature sensor and corroded pigtail.

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