I have a 98 Camero 6 cylinder. It has had issues with wanting to overheat several times. I have taken it to many different places and they keep flushing the system out because it keeps forming mud like goo in the radiator. I have also replaced the radiator and thermostat 2 times. This last time was right before Christmas. It started getting up to the red line last week. I opened the radiator cap and and it wasn't mud like, it looked completely clean, but there was no antifreeze in it. (that i could see). I have also not seen any small puddles where the car would sit over weekends like it used to, so it didn't look like it was leaking. I am wondering if this sounds like a head gasket problem? Is there an internal leak into the engine? Or something minor as to me replacing the radiator cap. What can I do? Like I said before, I have taken it to many different places and no one can tell me what the problem is. I added antifreeze last night and it seemed fine this morning.

 

You need to do a pressure test on the coolant system. With a refundable deposit you car “borrow” a pressure tester from many chain parts stores. Search Youtube for “coolant pressure test” for a how to video. ANYTHING that will cause a system to not hold pressure will cause issues with overheating. The system needs pressure to stop the coolant from boiling. Boiling causes gases to get trapped in the top of the motor, anyplace that has trapped gases cannot get coolant to cool it. These hot spot can cause a head gasket failure.

 

Here is some more info that might help. Let us know how it goes.


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Thank you guys. I will be doing a pressure test this weekend. I appreciate the feed back. I will let you know what happens.

 

pressure check came back with nothing. drove the car to work today and noticed it was getting to about half. got to work, came out on lunch to leave and add antifreeze before i did. noticed that the radiator cap was not on there. found it and realized i must not have put it on all the way. filled it with antifreeze and put the cap back on tightly. drove it and after a bit, it's going to the red. i pull over turned the car off and hear a sizzling sound....ssssssssssssssss. no smoke or anything, so what could that be? i am going to let it cool on the side of the road for a while and add water to try and get it home.

 

Check your hoses if your getting mud like goo out of your cooling system. Also check your water pump and heater core for any leakage.

 

I had a similar problem with mine. First, i had not read the proper coolant refill procedure, which involves opening the air valve while adding coolant. This lead to blown head gasket, burned spark plugs, fried distributor coils, burned O2 sensors and Cat.

Make sure you follow the coolant refill instructions, and check your oil level regularly. If it's still over heating you should not drive it until fixed... i learned that expensive lesson.