2000 sauturn water help
 

i got a 2000 saturn 4door. the water level in the plastic tank keeps losing water. the light goes on. but i see no leaks under the car or around the block. i have to put water everyday. what can you all help to help me take care of it. thank you in advance.

Check your oil, and be very sure you are not losing it into the crankcase or out the exhaust .....

Pull your plugs and read them. An abnormally clean one would indicate the bad cyl. if the HG is bad. While you have them out, do a compression test. Do you see any bubbling in the reservoir when the engine is running? Also as OA said check your oil- if it's cloudy it has moisture in it.

thanks for responses. i checked the oil and exhaust. nothing. no bubbling in the reservoir. ill check on the other stuff. thanks again

The other possibility is a pressure crack in the radiator tank. Look low on the radiator, and underneath the car itself, for abnormally clean areas (no road dirt) along the coachwork/frame. If that's what you find, check the U-PULL-IT yards for a replacement radiator ... don't try to patch it (seldom works)

The two common places, gleaned by reading the forums, is the overflow tank, plastic, pressurized because it serves as the fill and what I am used to referring as, the top tank for the radiator and prone to cracking and the side tanks of the radiator. Also plastic.
Neither of which have happened to me luckily I guess.
Radiators for these cars are cheap, unless of course you really don’t have the money, and as they age, prone to failure due to the plastic. They are though easy to change. Providing your are a shade tree mechanic. I have yet to find a decent radiator in the junk yard that is in itself, not prone to a problem and suggest to pass on junk yard radiators. Buy a new replacement and do the job once.
Just my opinion for what it is worth.
Considering the time spent pulling one, if that is what is needed or the cost of a new one vs a replacement junkyard radiator anyway.

if you have to add coolant every day you should be able to trace the loss....does the dash temp gauge indicate an overheat condition at any point?

Also, does the exhaust smell sweet (like antifreeze)? It may be burning but so slowly it does not visibly smoke.

assuming this is an s car.....as others have stated, check radiator side tank, particularly near mounts on driver's side. AF generally will not pool anywhere but will blow off the car when driving so you can't tell where it's leaking

Per Hos -- recommend compression check

still havent found nothing. but have yet to smell the exhaust. the temp gauge moves slightly. only the add light comes on. ill keep checking. thanks again everyone. i appreciate the help.

ok, i found the leak. water was leaking from a hose in the back of the engine. small drips. and when i tightend, it stoped. the reason no water was showing on the ground was it was drippin on somthing, couldnt tell, and vaporizing. so anyways, thanks to all for the help. much appreciated. thanks ...

Dang, you have just learned a basic lesson in automotive repair.
It is those little drips that cause the biggest problems!
I know, my bad, the devil made me do it.