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I have a 99 Pontiac Sunfire, 2.2, 4 cylinder, with 200,000 miles on it.

My problems started a couple weeks ago. I noticed the temperature gauge showed that the car was running a little higher than normal operating temperature. So I figured I was just low on coolant. I put more antifreeze and the car seemed to run at normal operating temperature for a few days. Note that when I put coolant in the car it smelled really funny when I opened the cap. The same problem came back but this time I also noticed that the temperature fluxuates depending on what I do with the hot and cold air. A few days ago when I started the car there was a significant power loss. It started fine and then when I press on the gas it sputters and takes alot of gas to get going. Today I started it up and drove it around the block and there is still a significant power loss.

Please help me isolate my problem. Thanks.  

with 200K.... i wonder when the last time you had a water pump installed.....  how old is the thermostat..


if the water pump leaks ... it will let coolant out...  if enough coolant leaks out.. it leaves the cylinder head without enough cooling... it may damage the cylinder head... and the cylinder head gasket...



you really need to have the cooling system pressure tested...    repair shops have hand pumps that they can install where the radiator cap is... pump the system to 7 or 8 pounds... and search for leaks..

why the car is lacking in power.. could be several things...    the computer will reduce power if the engine is overheating ...

time to plug in a scan tool... write down the codes... research the codes... examine the live data through the scan tool...

post the codes you get...  

I plugged in the scan tool and it said there are no codes found. So according to my car there is nothing wrong with it.  

just because the scan tool did not show any codes.. does not mean theres nothing wrong..


copy and paste this link..

http://repairguide.autozone.com/znetrgs/repair_guide_content/en_us/images/0900c152/80/0b/86/3e/large/0900c152800b863e.gif

print the chart...    see if the numbers on this chart are what you see on your scan tool....

i think that you may have some problems...  does your electric radiator fan cycle on.. at 215F????? as displayed on the scan tool...

i am still thinking that you need to pressure test the cooling system...   verify that the thermostat is opening properly... or swap in a new thermostat..    192F stat..   check the water pump.. they do go bad...

there are also bleeder screws that have to be opened to let any trapped air out of the cooling system...

there is also a small possibility that the radiator is clogged.. but that is usually the last thing that goes bad...