Email4LA

I have a question- I have an 86GXL- the coolant light came on, but the level in the oveflow container was fine, eventually the car overheated. I replaced the thermostat. it was fine for a little while, but the light keeps on coming on. I keep putting coolant directly into the engine- some of it backs up into the oveflow- the rest I assumme is burned up- quickly and the light comes back on- why isn't it taking fluid from the over flow?
Is there a blockage? Has anyone ever had a similar problem?
Are coolant problems common?
Besides the coolant problem this car is perfect, so I am really hoping I can solve this.

tesla042

Do you have hoses going from *BOTH* caps? I had one that didn't have a hose on it, and coolant would go into the overflow tank, but air would be sucked back in thru that... Tho, i believe not all cars have two caps with hose provisions..

One thing you may want to do is start your engine with the filler neck cap off. Look at the coolant level.. If you see bubbles coming up, that's probably exhaust.. This is a Bad Thing, and indicates the coolant rings are on their way out. Engine compression is getting into the coolant system, forcing the coolant out the only way possible-the overflow tank. Tho, this would most likely cause the ovelflow tank to actually overflow..

One place the senser for the coolant light is, is on the top of the radiator. Pull THAT cap off, and make sure the radiator is filled up. Just filling the normal filler neck doesn't get water diretly to the radiator--you can fill the filler neck all the way up, but the radiator still may be low.

-Tesla