Where is the leak?

DKCOPE84

MEMBER
SATURN

Hi,
i have an automatic 1998 saturn sl2 4 cylander with about 111,000 miles. Recently the coolant light keeps coming on. When I first checked it the coolant was low so I refilled it. Then a few weeks later it came on again. It was low. I figure there's a leak somewhere but I dont see a wet spot in my parking space. Where should I look? Is this something serious?

thanks in advance!
de

3 Replies

WSCREATE

MEMBER
59 POSTS

The worst case scenario is if you have coolant leaking internally such as with a bad head gasket or cracked block. That's the worst case. Does the car smoke out of the tail pipe? Is there any liquid coming out of the exhaust when running?

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Thursday, April 26th, 2007 AT 1:54 PM

PEPPERMRJ

MECHANIC
1,158 POSTS

Hey dkcope84,

Sounds just like what happened on my 96 with about the same mileage. On mine it was the waterpump. As it leaked the spinning pulley would throw the water around so it did not leave much of a puddle. It got progessively worse (the leak). I had to put the car up on jackstands and look from underneath to find the leak. No biggie. The pump goes for under $30.00. I put it on myself from the passenger wheel well. I can send detailed instructions if you like.

The other thing that comes to mind is the pressure cap on the coolant tank. It can fail but that does not happen often.

Good hunting and let us know. :)
peppermrj

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Thursday, April 26th, 2007 AT 5:01 PM

DKCOPE84

MEMBER
2 POSTS

There isnt any smoke but i'll have to check for liquid coming out of the exhaust.

If I find thats where the leak is i'll be back for the instructions. :D

thanks for the responses!

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Friday, April 27th, 2007 AT 1:40 PM