# 1999 Chevrolet Malibu Overflowing Coolant Tank **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chevrolet, malibu, coolant\ **Created:** [September 30, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-chevrolet-malibu-overflowing-coolant-tank/55795 "2010-09-30T20:56:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Benton\_Harbor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Benton\_Harbor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Benton_Harbor)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-chevrolet-malibu-overflowing-coolant-tank/55795/1 "2010-09-30T20:56:12Z")
I have a friend with a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu, V6 who had a head gasket leak. Several cans of Barr’s stop-leak later, the car seemed well. Then, it began overheating the coolant and sent it boiling out of the coolant tank until the tank’s empty. Several professional mechanics I’ve questioned cannot explain why. And my friend is in desperate financial condition and cannot afford to have the engine torn down. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![researcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/edb3f5/32.png) [@researcher](https://community.cartalk.com/u/researcher)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-chevrolet-malibu-overflowing-coolant-tank/55795/2 "2010-09-30T22:50:16Z")
It is very rare that Barr’s Stop Leak will fix a failing head gasket because the temperature and pressure are too great. What you describe is a classic sign of combustion gases getting into the cooling system. If you want a quick confirmation of the leaking gases, have a mechanic sniff the air over the open radiator neck and see if combustion gases are detected. I think there is a test strip kit that can also test for combustion gases that you can get at the auto parts store. If your friend is unemployed at this time, he/she might attempt replacing the head gasket. Get the Haynes or Chilton manual for the car and have at it. The car will be laid up for a while but it will be a lot less costly. Good luck on this. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-chevrolet-malibu-overflowing-coolant-tank/55795/3 "2010-09-30T23:02:40Z")
What I’ve used to stop head gasket leaks is sodium silicate.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium\_silicate#Automotive\_repair](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_silicate#Automotive_repair) This can be ordered through a local pharmacy for about $20.00 for a 12 oz bottle. Pour the liquid glass into the cooling system, fill the cooling system, and start the engine and let it go to work. This repair may last two hours, or two years. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-chevrolet-malibu-overflowing-coolant-tank/55795/4 "2010-09-30T23:05:42Z")
If the directions on the package are followed to the letter there is a somewhat better than 50-50 chance that the stop leak will work. If the directions are not followed exactly it’s a waste to even try the junk. Pulling the heads and properly repairing the engine is the only certain way to reliably repair it but that is a heck of a job for an amateur. ---
**Author:** ![Benton\_Harbor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Benton\_Harbor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Benton_Harbor)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-chevrolet-malibu-overflowing-coolant-tank/55795/5 "2010-10-03T21:35:20Z")
I said Barr’s but I’m not sure exactly sure what product was used. I remember that it was specific for head gasket leakage. The exhaust gas leak seems logical and I appreciate the response. Now he knows what he’s dealing with. ---
**Author:** ![Benton\_Harbor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Benton\_Harbor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Benton_Harbor)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-chevrolet-malibu-overflowing-coolant-tank/55795/6 "2010-10-03T21:36:15Z")
Thanks for the suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![Benton\_Harbor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@Benton\_Harbor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Benton_Harbor)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1999-chevrolet-malibu-overflowing-coolant-tank/55795/7 "2010-10-03T21:38:42Z")
I agree and the disassembly of the the engine topside is a nightmare with all of the plumbling. Especially when you don’t have the necessary tools.