Saturn Overheats

BWETZEL

MEMBER
SATURN

A 2001 Saturn SL2, 145,000 miles. The tempature guage does not show on the dashboard that it is overheating, It just starts steaming from the coolant reserve. I have tryed replacing the relay and the tempature sensor. I was told the water pump is working, something to do with the two hoses. The fan doesn't kick on. Do I need to replace the fan next? How does one test a fan motor? Are there two tempature sensors by chance (dashboard and one to put the fan in gear)?

Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 AT 3:51 AM

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Did you put coolant in it? Bcuz of low level if so do below and if it doesn't worked comeback we got a long way to go.

BLEEDING COOLING SYSTEM
Always bleed air from cooling system after replacing coolant. Set heater for maximum heat. Remove radiator cap. Loosen drain plug and remove drain bolt (if equipped) from engine block. Drain coolant reservoir. Fill coolant reservoir to MAX mark with 50/50 water-coolant mixture. Loosen bleed bolt and fill radiator up to base of filler neck. Close bleed bolt when coolant flows out without bubbles. Tighten bleed bolt. With radiator cap removed, start and operate engine to normal operating temperature. Add coolant if necessary and check for leaks.

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Tuesday, October 9th, 2007 AT 4:08 AM

TIM_DENTON_TX

MEMBER
1 POST

I had a similar problem with my 2001 SL2, which also has 145k miles.

My coolant reservoir cap seal had failed because I'd over tightened it after replacing the coolant. I replaced the cap and the coolant stopped boiling over, because the new cap was able to keep the system pressurized.

You can get a new generic GM coolant cap at Autozone for about $10 bucks.

As for bleeding the air from the coolant system, your car automaticly bleeds the air. There is a narrow hose that runs from the upper area of the back of the engine head on the driver's side, then hugs the firewall, and routes to the top of the coolant reservoir.

As for the fan not kicking in. I don't remember if mine did when my coolant boiled. I know that my fan DOES kick in when the dash temp gauge goes above 5/8 on the scale.

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Sunday, September 7th, 2008 AT 8:34 PM