1996 Chevy Cavilier engine coolant?

Question

My coolant light it on, the manual says that i need to replace every 5yrs, 150,000 miles however the container is not empty. should i go right away or do I have some time. this is an expensive process.

Answer 1

Usualy when that light comes on it means low coolant .Probably just a defective coolant level gauge if engine doesnt overheat .Pretty much all GM products have electrical probs after 10 years .Sometimes alot sooner

Answer 2

your 96 uses what is called DEX COOL Coolant.

the 150k life on that coolant is a little extreme. Id make sure your radiator is not cluggd up at the filler neck a commen problem with that coolant turns into like a brown clay mess.

have a shop do a complete flush. make sure they replace the radiator cap when they are done also - and replace with same coolant . even thou it has that demise it works best for the vehcile.

Do not change coolant to the green OLD coolant - can not mix the 2 coolants causes more problems and no way to remove ALL the coolant from the engine.

Good Lcuk

Answer 3

Your coolant level sensor (S8117 @ O'Reilly Auto Parts) is toast it is a very common problem with the GM cars of that error. I would flush it out yourself. It is easy ask someone at the parts house. Then put regular green coolant in it. There is no problems with changing when you flush. That is BS to get you to but the expensive stuff. I like the green 50/50 costs more but you don't have to mix it. Also it is half green coolant and half filtered water. The water out of the tap has extra stuff you don't want in there.

Answer 4

there is not any additive of any kind, in besides, which will come to a determination a failed intake gasket on that engine, era. the only fix for that gasket is to interchange it and flush out all of that witch's brew Dexcool coolant out of your cooling equipment and replace it with something. i prefer to recommend (and use) G05 coolant, yet something is extra constructive than Dexcool, it extremely is what disintegrated your intake gasket interior the 1st place. That being stated, it may desire to or is probably no longer on the subject of your driveability difficulty which sounds extra like a lean misfire difficulty it is first addressed with a clean gas clear out and an injector cleansing. yet whilst the intake is gasket is leaking coolant right into a cylinder (no longer uncommon on that 12 months engine) which will additionally clarify your misfires. sturdy success.

Answer 5

if the surge tank (container) is full then you may have a proplem with the low coolant sensor in the tank. Yes the coolant should be flushed out every couple of years regardless of what GM says. As long as you are certain that the anti-freeze level is full then you have time before you get it serviced. Get it done before the weather tunrs cold

Answer 6

If your coolant light is on & the coolant light is not low then have someone check your coolant temperature sensor. Tap on it with something & if it is the problem, then it may start working again & your light will go off. If it is not that, then you might have a bigger problem.

Answer 7

If the engine coolant light is on you are more than likely over heating! You need to fix it yesterday and stop driving it ubtil you do! You may have already cracked the heads! OOPS!!!!!!!!
That's gonna cost!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

Do yourself and your car a favor take you car to a shop
you trust, Have them flush all that dex cool out of your
car and refill with real coolent green.

Do a little search on dex-cool it will runnin an engine.

Answer 9

Just because the container isn't empty, doesn't mean anything. When cold, open the radiator cap and check level in there? Could have lost suction/vacuum and not be full.!! ?:)c

Answer 10

You can just take it and get it tested. It may not need replaced, just refreshed. They add glycol to it to refresh the lubricant and the anti heat/freeze properties.