1997 Chevy Cavalier Stop Leak Clogged System(Overheating)

JOEPISCAPO

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

Added (irontite stop leak) to fix a minor head gasket exterior coolant leak.

Added the solution in the upper radiator hose cause I dont have a radiator cap only resevoir cap. Started car blasted heat drove around 20mins. Now car overheats and redlines. We drained coolant and performed a flush and water is coming out from all drain points. After this happened and replaced the t-stat.

Water boils in resevoir tank now and my cooling system is clogged. Heat comes out the vent when I turn on my heat so we ruled out a blocked heater core. Upper rad hose is hot. Lower rad hose is warm but when touching the radiator its cold in some spots. I am completely lost of ideas. Resevoir makes boiling noises when car is overheating

Please help me out, we need to drive our handicapped brother to therapy.

Joe-

3 Replies

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

Joe, I am sorry you are having troubles with your General Motors product, I only wish there was a magic bullet I could send through the computer to make your problem disappear, unfortunately the issue you are having is perhaps due to the steam holes in the cylinder head gasket have become plugged up with the stop leak additive you used. There may be some relief if you flush the system from the thermostat housing through the motor backwards to try and dislodge the crud built up in the steam holes, I have just had to pull the head on my own 2001 chevy S-10 4cyl for plugged steam holes and it wasn't fun at all. To get the car back to 100%, you may need to have the head off and replace the head gasket.

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Monday, October 11th, 2010 AT 1:00 AM

JOEPISCAPO

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for ur quick reply, So what ur saying that flush the system backwards. I dont understand. Spray the water towards the engine from the thermostat housing(upper rad hose)?

What has to be disconnected to have a proper flush which hoses and plugs do I disconnect? Should I take the hose out from the drivers side rad going into engine or leave that one on and leave the rad drain plug opened as well as the engine coolant drain plug?Where should the watercome out from when I spray from the thermostat housing into the engine,

I really appriciate your help
could my radiator be plugged or water pump?
Thanks
Joe-

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Monday, October 11th, 2010 AT 1:11 AM

DOCHAGERTY