How to Find a Coolant Leak on a 95 Chevy Cavalier

The base model 1995 Chevy Cavalier came with the long-used 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The cooling system on your 2.2-liter has a total capacity of 10.7 quarts, so even with a small coolant leak; you can quickly lose enough coolant to cause overheating and damage to your engine. Because your cooling system maintains a pressure of 15 psi during engine operation, it is possible youre losing coolant only when the engine is running and shortly after until the pressure is lost through the breech. Tracking down your coolant leak can be tricky, but the biggest thing to remember is the source of a leak is often farther forward and up from the actual drip or puddle.

Instructions

Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut the engine off and set the parking brake. Lift the hood and support it with the hood prop rod. Lift the front of the vehicle into the air and place the jack stands under the front sub frame rails. Lower the floor jack until the vehicle rests securely on the jack stands. Allow the engine to cool completely before continuing.

Put on the safety glasses. Loosen the coolant surge tank cap slowly until a hissing noise is heard, if there is any. Once the hissing dissipates, remove the pressure cap. Top off the coolant level with fresh 50-50 coolant if the system is low. Open the coolant pressure test kit and locate the proper adapter that screws onto the surge tank in place of the pressure cap.

Install the adapter onto the pressure tester and screw the pressure tester onto the surge tank opening. Place the drain pan under the approximate area the coolant is dripping from. Pump the pressure tester until the gauge reaches 15 psi; this simulates the pressure created from the system when the engine is running. Quickly inspect the engine bay for any streams of coolant and follow the stream back to the source to locate the leak, if visible.

Inspect the surge tank for any coolant on the exterior and connecting hose for any leaking or damage; you will most likely see a small stream created from a pin-hole leak if either is the cause of the coolant loss. Inspect the heater hoses and their connections at the firewall and engine for any small leaks or light to moderate spraying. If the leak is not located, continue to the next step.

Check the pressure gauge on the tester kit and pump it up to 15 psi to make up for any pressure loss from the leak. Inspect the upper radiator hose and thermostat housing, which is located at the opposite end of the hose, for leaks or damage. If coolant is leaking from the thermostat housing, it is most likely running down the side of the engine, so inspect the side for any running coolant. If coolant is leaking from the hose, replace the hose. If coolant is leaking from the thermostat housing area, inspect the housing for any cracks or damage. If no damage exists, the gasket is faulty and should be replaced.

Pump the tester to maintain the 15 psi if necessary and use the flashlight to inspect the water pump and surrounding area, which is on the front of the engine about mid-level. If there is coolant coming from anywhere around the water pump, the pump's internal seals are probably at fault the water pump should be replaced. If you still havent found the coolant leak, continue to the next step.

Lie down under the vehicle and inspect the base area of the radiator. Focus around the drain cock on the lower left side of the radiator, the finned area of the radiator around the cooling fans and the lower radiator hose connection. If there is any coolant from the radiator, or base of the lower radiator hose connection, replace the radiator.

Inspect the lower radiator hose from where it connects at the radiator all the way to its connection at the engine. Make note of any leaking components and replace them as necessary. Tighten any hose clamps if leaks are present at the hose connections. Remove the drain pan and store the coolant in a safe place.

Lift the front of the vehicle off of the jack stands and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Press the pressure relief button on the pressure tester to relieve any pressure. If the vehicle has to be driven, top off the cooling system and keep an eye on the temperature gauge; do not allow the engine to overheat. Install the pressure cap.