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Step 1
See if the water pump is leaking. Your water pump pushes coolant through the engine, radiator and heater core. A slight smell of antifreeze or spots of coolant under your Saturn when parked for a short time indicate a worn out water pump.
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Step 2
Check the hoses for cracks, collapses, leaks or dryness. This includes upper and lower radiator hoses, heater and bypass hoses and manifold coolant hoses. Your upper hoses for instance, measure about 2 inches wide and carry coolant between the radiator and engine. Damaged hoses lead to cooling system problems.
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Step 3
Look at the antifreeze amount. Overheating can result from low coolant levels, so add antifreeze to the coolant tank reservoir. Use a 50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water for the four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines.
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Step 4
Drain and flush the cooling system to explore cooling system problems. Make sure you dispose drained antifreeze properly because the coolant's sweet smell attracts animals and small children. Ingesting the poisonous liquid can be fatal.
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Step 5
Inspect the radiator cap for signs of wear and tear. Erosion can plague a worn out cap. Ask a mechanic to use a pressure tester or an adapter to inspect the cap's pressure rating and operation. Replace a defective cap right away.
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Step 6
Wash and gently scrub the front of your radiator. When you drive, dirt, rocks, leaves and other debris suck into the fins of your radiator causing overheating. Clean it with soapy water, a soft nylon brush, and a garden hose to rinse.
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Step 7
Examine the thermostat for sticking. A couple of ways to pinpoint a stuck thermostat are constant low temperature readings or peaks between high and normal temperatures. Your thermostat is usually located inside the housing on the engine side of the upper radiator hose.
