1999 Cadillac Catera

TCURRY29

MEMBER
1999 CADILLAC CATERA

Engine Cooling problem
1999 Cadillac Catera 6 cyl Automatic 102000 miles

Hi I have a 1999 Cadillac Catera, I just had the Radiator replaced about 3 weeks ago because it had a small leak and was overheating, it started to overheat this real brown thick coffee looking stuff. It ran great for the last 3 weeks now its overheating within a mile of trying to drive it, so its parked now, one mechanic said it was the "Oil Cooler" leaking into the radiator leaking oil, that was the brown stuff and not letting the coolent flow thru. I just ran the water hose thru and unscrewed the bottom radiator plug to finally run that stuff out it was thick at first and not streaming very fast at all, got nothing but water in it now and took it around the street once and it was getting hot that quick, gonna open the bottom radiator plug again to see what comes out of it next, I just want to know if its possible/easy to bypass that oil cooler and to make sure that is what is causing that brown thick goo. I was told it was not a blown head gasket and there is no water on the oil dipstick at all.

Thanks

3 Replies

FACTORYJACK

MECHANIC
4,159 POSTS

Is there oil in the reservoir, since it is lighter that water it will most often end up there, as that is the highest point in the system. Bypassing the cooler would be possible, but you would need an elaborate hose made up that would connect you to banjo type fittings. You would also need to remove intakes and reinstall them before you would know anything. It would be easier to remove the oil cooler and have it pressure tested at a radiator shop. If you have sediment that is resting in the bottom of the radiator, has possibly some stop leak or something been added?

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Monday, October 26th, 2009 AT 10:53 PM

TCURRY29

MEMBER
2 POSTS

No stop leak, its a brand new radiator, it was just installed 3 weeks ago, the mechanic flushed out the engine/reseirvor when he installed it, yeah it has the brown junk overheating thru the reservior and in the bottom of the radiator when I loosen the plug to flush it out, it was full of it first, then I flushed it again and only got a little the second time, but it still overheats and gets hot within a mile of driving. I am just trying to make sure that the oil cooler would be what is causing it before I try and remove it first. Any other suggestions as to where or how that stuff is coming from, it looks like oil trying to mix with the water, its real thick and brown like peanut butter, I only have water in it now, not dexcool red.

I can't afford more expenses and taking it to a mechanic ofter to try this and try that before I know what is the real problem. I would have to have it towed there since it gets hot to fast now.

Thanks

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Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 AT 5:51 AM

FACTORYJACK

MECHANIC
4,159 POSTS

If you don't have any oil in the crankcase, the oil cooler is the about the only option. If the thermostat has a rubber(coated) diaphragm, it could be swollen from the oil and causing the rapid overheat.

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Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 AT 11:39 PM