Engine hot comes on, ac goes out then lights all stops until next time. It has had 3 radiators and a thermostat in 1.5 yrs. dealer keeps saying it is the radiator. This last one lasted 3 days before the lights came on. I now just keep driving thinking let it blow.

How have the radiators failed? Plugged up? Cracked plastic tanks? Leaks?

If the radiators are legitimately failing and if the engine is really overheating then fan operation needs to be checked and possibly the pressure cap which may not be allowing it to vent. Replacing a radiator 3 times speaks to curing the symptom and not the cause of the problem. At some point (pre…

My mechanic sent me to the dealer for a diagnostic visit. That is the only reason I went. They told me it was the thermostat which I allowed them to replace because my mechanic told me to. He would have charged the same amount and he felt they would warranty the work if it didn’t work. It did not an…

Seems to me that your mechanic is not really a mechanic if he doesn’t warranty his own work, but sends you to another shop (dealer) to diagnose the problem. Dump both, the dealer and the “mechanic”.

If the head gasket tests “ok”, try purchasing a different brand of radiator from a different vendor. For example buy an oem replacement from a Chevy dealership. My guess however – presuming the engine compartment fans are doing their thing – is the head gasket has failed and it over-pressurizing…

I vote for the head gasket being compromised and pressurizing the cooling system. This will blow out the weakest link and I am guessing that is the radiator. Here is a test for you. LET THE ENGINE COOL DOWN OVERNIGHT! You want it TOTALLY COLD or this could be dangerous. Remove the radiator cap …

[image] cwatkin: If you see bubbles, that is a sign exhaust is coming through the head gasket or a cracked block, etc. Just a point of clarification. Sometimes you’ll see occasional big bubbles coming up through the coolant, sort of burping action. That isn’t usually a blown head gasket. I…

I think the idea of scrapping the car over this is a bit of a rush to judgement. Your problem is not the car or the Hecho en Mexico part. It’s the fact that you have mechanics not asking the WHY question. Three bad radiators in a row? No way.

Did you know the Cadillac Escalade is made in Mexico? So much for blaming the UAW for high auto prices.

Thank you everyone for the info. My mechanic actually thinks it is the motor but wanted confirmation. He knows how cheap I am. I have decided to dump the Captiva. I plan to shop this weekend. Any suggestions what I should look at? Good to know Cadillac is made in Mexico.

2013 Chevrolet Captiva Sport - 3 radiators in 1.5 years

Maintenance/Repairs

George_San_Jose1 December 20, 2019, 2:40am 18

Before writing any checks verify that the Consumer Reports Car Guide’s summary of function and reliability meets your needs for the make/model/year, and if buying a used car, pay to have it inspected by your own mechanic first. Called a “pre-purchase” inspection. Were I choosing myself I’d avoid turbo-engines, and prefer the reliability of a manual transmission.

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2013 Chevrolet Captiva Sport - 3 radiators in 1.5 years

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