1998 Saturn SC2 Car Overheating

TNT3000

MEMBER
1998 SATURN SC2
4 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
119,289 MILES

My '98 Saturn SC2 has been overheating whenever the thermostat hand reaches the middle for a year. Initially, it was only when I'd be sitting in heavy/stop and go traffic. I took it to two mechanics but the car didn't overheat either time and they didn't give me any answers. This weekend the check engine light came on and the car overheated, but this time the thermostat hand started fluctuating wildly, back and forth and the car shut off and would not restart for an hour. I was able to drive it home but it wouldn't start again after that. I had a mechanic come and replace the thermostat, do a tuneup, and also purchased a new radiator cap. The car started, but only when I would pump the gas. I let it run for about 20 minutes and it started to smoke from the coolant area. Antifreeze was coming out around the cap and pouring out and the thermostat hand started fluctuating again. After turning the car off and letting it cool, I checked the antifreeze and it was almost completely empty. I refilled it and was able to drive it home with no problem.
What's wrong with my car?

1 Reply

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

First of all thank you so much for your donation. What I want you to do is get a new coolant cap and replace your coolant temp sensor. The sensor is only like 10 make sure you get a brass tipped one the plastic tipped one's crack. Also when you change the sensor make sure the car is cold and you will loose coolant. Also when you change the sensor make sure you inspect the connector if it's corroded they usually change green or blue then you will have to change that as well. From what you describe that's what I think is wrong with your car.I emailed you a diagram of where your sensor is to your personal email.