I own a 2002 Saturn L1 series, it has 55,000 miles on it. When i am driving in stop & go traffic, sometimes on the temperature gauge the needle will go to hot in around 5 to 10 minutes time, when i start driving on the highway at regular speed it will go back to normal. The guy at jiffy-lube told me to get a radiator flush ($80) and this would alleviate the problem. IT DIDNT. My questions are what is the problem? Should I definetly get this fixed? If I dont do anything about this what will happen? How much should it cost to fix the problem? How long should it take? I am suppose to go to Florida next weekend for a little R & R, but I would rather fix my car if I have to cause I need my car for work. I live on Long Island in NY and a very hot summer is here so I have to do something quick. Any advice, help would really be appreciated. I value the answeres from my friends on this site. THANKS!!!!!
2007-05-25 08:03:44 · 5 answers · asked by paul s 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
your in my old back yard. I just moved from LI a few months ago. It sound like your fans are not coming on. That car is mostly air cooled so as your driving it stays cool. As soon as you get stuck in wonderful LIE traffic up goes the gauge. If you tell me what town your in I can recommend a shop that will not rip you off. They all know me by name.
2007-06-01 14:18:44 · answer #1 · answered by asccaracer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your Saturn has electric fans to cool the radiator. The fans have a temp sensor in the radiator that comtrol them. Follow the wires from the fan to the radiator to find the sensor. If you short across the sensor wires the fan should come on, BE CAREFUL of your hands, arms and loose clothing. If the fan does not come on it is most likely the sensor. Should be available at most parts stores or try www.saturnparts.net for factory parts. Good luck
2007-06-01 22:51:26 · answer #2 · answered by Jim B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Another possibility is a failing water pump. You will need to locate it first. It will be directly off your serpantine belt somewhere, not familiar with the Saturn. On the water pump is a weep hole. If you see liquid or a clean trail coming from that hole that means that the innerseals are bad and the water pump may be failing or has failed. Water pumps are between 125 and 200 dollars and are not too difficult to replace. Usually have to detension the belt and it is about 5 bolts.
Good luck!
2007-05-25 15:11:56 · answer #3 · answered by crazy_fuzzy_bunny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK you have already flushed radiator, Now it sounds like a thermostat, Change it and see what happens next, Had the same problem , It works fine now, also check all hoses that carry fluid to the engine, good luck Happy R R.
2007-05-25 15:13:34 · answer #4 · answered by JT B ford man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is normal for some cars when it's hot outside. I wouldn't consider it a problem unless you had the car last year during the hot season and it didn't do it.
2007-05-25 15:07:48 · answer #5 · answered by Ferret 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋