help! my dad is a mechanic but is 3k miles away. I had an overheating issue yesterday with my 93 saturn sl1. It overheated at idle and then when i checked the coolant level it was empty. It has been fine as long as i dont leave it idling too long. I didnt notice any leak until it overheated. The leak is hitting a belt and causing coolant to be thrown all over the passenger side of the engine. what may be causing this issue and where should i start?



i checked it after adding coolant and letting it sit for 24 hrs and the coolant is empty again and i have a puddle under the front of the engine.

 

Inspect radiator hoses (top and bottom) and the radiator itself (especially the ends of the radiator, which are plastic) for holes/leakage/cracks.

If it is leaking just sitting there, it is doing so under the force of gravity. You will likely need to dry things off and have a friend add a small amount of coolant while you look under the vehicle for the source of the leak....

The radiator end caps tend to crack near the mounts

 

i dont know the first thing about an engine except for how to change the oil and check fluid levels. Is it worth spending $20 for an inspection and get a quote from them to fix it? If it is the radiator about what should i expect to pay to fix it?

 

Now seeing we do not have the car in front of us we can not tell with 100% certainty whats wrong with your car.
Could be the water pump..........but if you have no idea what to look for why bother asking. Take it in have it fixed and be on your way.

at some point it will have to go to a shop to be looked at ...... and repaired if you so desire.

 

Having your local dealership look at it, and fix it right the first time, will be a lot less costly than flying your Dad 3k miles to work on it for you.

Although, having family around is nice ......

 

Indeed sounds like work for a shop -- but if it will not hold coolant, have it TOWED there. Driving it in its current condition (little or no coolant) will ultimately damage the engine beyond repair.

 

Those radiators have a tendancy to crack on the upper drivers side just below the inlet. But, because you said the coolant was being slung around by the serpentine belt, the more likely culprit would be the water pump, which is on the passenger side. Any decent mechanic that you trust should be able to handle that job in less than an hour.

 

KEY WORD: "should"

If I could not do it myself I'd take it to a Saturn Dealer.