cooling system woes with S-10

Got a '97 Chevy S-10 pickemup that is losing coolant from the cooling system
frequently. Had a water pump go out a couple years ago, so doubt it's
that. Besides which the temp just went on over like it would peg out if I
didn't shut down, with the water pump problem.

I note that everytime I stop, I have coolant pool under the right front
side, and have to add coolant to the plastic expansion tank.

I'm assuming the plastic tank has developed a leak, down out of sight.

How do I change out one of these expansion tanks? I see there's a flat,
black box with fins kind of thing mounted on top of the expansion tank. Is
this something for the home mechanic? Or is it definitely a "take it to
the shop" kind of thing?

RB wrote:
> Got a '97 Chevy S-10 pickemup that is losing coolant from the cooling system
> frequently. Had a water pump go out a couple years ago, so doubt it's
> that. Besides which the temp just went on over like it would peg out if I
> didn't shut down, with the water pump problem.
>
> I note that everytime I stop, I have coolant pool under the right front
> side, and have to add coolant to the plastic expansion tank.
>
> I'm assuming the plastic tank has developed a leak, down out of sight.
>
> How do I change out one of these expansion tanks? I see there's a flat,
> black box with fins kind of thing mounted on top of the expansion tank. Is
> this something for the home mechanic? Or is it definitely a "take it to
> the shop" kind of thing?

RB wrote:
> Got a '97 Chevy S-10 pickemup that is losing coolant from the cooling system
> frequently. Had a water pump go out a couple years ago, so doubt it's
> that. Besides which the temp just went on over like it would peg out if I
> didn't shut down, with the water pump problem.
>
> I note that everytime I stop, I have coolant pool under the right front
> side, and have to add coolant to the plastic expansion tank.
>
> I'm assuming the plastic tank has developed a leak, down out of sight.
>
> How do I change out one of these expansion tanks? I see there's a flat,
> black box with fins kind of thing mounted on top of the expansion tank. Is
> this something for the home mechanic? Or is it definitely a "take it to
> the shop" kind of thing?

almost sounds like you may have a thermostat issue or a bad fan. is
the fan electrical or clutch operated? could also be a bad hose.
worst case senario is a blown head gasket but doubt it. if you dont
want to risk ruining your engine i would take it to a shop just to be
safe.

RB wrote:
> Got a '97 Chevy S-10 pickemup that is losing coolant from the cooling system
> frequently. Had a water pump go out a couple years ago, so doubt it's
> that. Besides which the temp just went on over like it would peg out if I
> didn't shut down, with the water pump problem.
>
> I note that everytime I stop, I have coolant pool under the right front
> side, and have to add coolant to the plastic expansion tank.
>
> I'm assuming the plastic tank has developed a leak, down out of sight.
>
> How do I change out one of these expansion tanks? I see there's a flat,
> black box with fins kind of thing mounted on top of the expansion tank. Is
> this something for the home mechanic? Or is it definitely a "take it to
> the shop" kind of thing?

almost sounds like you may have a thermostat issue or a bad fan. is
the fan electrical or clutch operated? could also be a bad hose.
worst case senario is a blown head gasket but doubt it. if you dont
want to risk ruining your engine i would take it to a shop just to be
safe.

RB wrote:
> Got a '97 Chevy S-10 pickemup that is losing coolant from the cooling system
> frequently. Had a water pump go out a couple years ago, so doubt it's
> that. Besides which the temp just went on over like it would peg out if I
> didn't shut down, with the water pump problem.
>
> I note that everytime I stop, I have coolant pool under the right front
> side, and have to add coolant to the plastic expansion tank.
>
> I'm assuming the plastic tank has developed a leak, down out of sight.
>
> How do I change out one of these expansion tanks? I see there's a flat,
> black box with fins kind of thing mounted on top of the expansion tank. Is
> this something for the home mechanic? Or is it definitely a "take it to
> the shop" kind of thing?

I have a 96 S10 with a 2.2l 4 cylinder. The intake manifold gaskets on
these are made of plastic and notorius for leaking.

I changed the fluid from dexacool to regular green glycol and added a
bottle of stop leak. No problems since.

Good luck!

Paul

I have a 96 S10 with a 2.2l 4 cylinder. The intake manifold gaskets on
these are made of plastic and notorius for leaking.

I changed the fluid from dexacool to regular green glycol and added a
bottle of stop leak. No problems since.

Good luck!

Paul