matthias_wolf6

Cavalier Coolant Loss

Hey, I'm having a weird issue with my 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier with a gasoline engine. The check engine light keeps popping on, and when I scanned it, it throws a code related to low coolant. I checked the coolant reservoir, and sure enough, it's way below the minimum line. I topped it off, and the light went away for a bit, but it's back again! I can't see any obvious puddles under the car. Could it be radiator hoses, engine overheating or something more sinister like a coolant leak or a bad radiator cap? I'm a bit worried it's the water pump. Any ideas?

A 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier was experiencing coolant loss, indicated by a check engine light and a low coolant code. The coolant reservoir was below the minimum line, but no visible leaks were found. Possible causes included radiator hoses, a faulty radiator cap, or a water pump issue. After inspecting the vehicle, a tiny leak in a lower radiator hose was identified and repaired, resolving the problem.

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4 comment(s)

I had a similar problem with my Chevrolet Cavalier a while back. Coolant disappearing act! Check your radiator hoses really closely, especially where they connect to the engine and radiator. Sometimes, they can get tiny cracks that are hard to spot, but enough coolant leaks out over time to cause issues. Also, give the radiator cap a good look-over; a faulty cap can prevent the system from pressurizing properly, leading to coolant loss. Is the engine overheating?

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely give the hoses a closer inspection. No, the engine temp gauge seems normal, it never goes into the red zone. How often were you topping off your coolant before you found the leak?

The temperature is normal? That's good, that means we can likely rule out the engine overheating. I was topping it off every few days which wasn't a good look. To be frank, it's tough to diagnose the leak without proper tools. Given that you can't find any obvious leaks, and you're losing coolant, I'd advise taking it to a trusted mechanic to do a pressure test and pinpoint the source. Could be a small leak elsewhere.

Thanks, I appreciate the advice! I took it to my usual workshop and they found a tiny leak in one of the lower radiator hoses. Replacing it cost me 52€, including labor. No more check engine light!

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CHEVROLET

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CAVALIER