How to Troubleshoot the Cooling System in a Chevy Cobalt

To deal with cooling system problems, you have to know how your system works. In simple terms, coolant gathers heat when it goes through the engine and releases heat in the radiator. Cooling devices work by circulating antifreeze, containing it or controlling its temperature. Troubleshoot the cooling system in a Chevy Cobalt by regularly inspecting cooling system devices.

Things You'll Need

• DEX-COOL extended life coolant

Instructions

1. Find out if your water pump is leaking. The water pump pushes coolant through the engine, radiator and heater core. A slight smell of antifreeze or spots of it under your Cobalt when parked for a short time mean your water pump is faulty.

2. See if your hoses contain cracks, collapses, leaks or dryness. This goes for upper and lower radiator hoses, heater and bypass hoses and manifold coolant hoses. Your upper hoses measure about 2 inches wide and transport coolant between the radiator and engine. Damaged hoses lead to cooling system problems.

3. Look over the coolant level. Low antifreeze amounts can lead to overheating, so add coolant to the expansion tank reservoir. Put DEX-COOL extended life coolant in the reservoir for the 2.2 liter Ecotec, 2.4 liter Ecotec and 2.0 liter SS engines.

4. Drain and flush the cooling system when troubleshooting problems. Use caution with the brightly colored sweet smelling antifreeze. It attracts animals and small children so dispose of antifreeze properly. Ingesting coolant can be fatal.

5. Inspect the radiator cap for signs of wear and tear. For example, a damaged cap can erode. Consider getting 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.

6. Wash and gently scrub the front of your radiator. Dirt, rocks, leaves and other debris suck into the vents of your radiator when you drive and cause overheating. Clean the radiator front with soapy water and a soft nylon brush. Use a garden hose to rinse it.

7. Test 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 usually resides in the housing on the engine side of the upper radiator hose.