Q: Coolant light is on almost always

asked by on May 20, 2016

My car has 125,000 miles on it and runs fine generally. The issue is that the coolant light is almost always on. The mechanic said that the coolant is contaminated with oil. I was advised to get rid of the car. Is there any solution to this issue? Thank you.

Check Engine Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

If you have the GS model, that means you have the supercharged version of the 3.8L engine. The naturally aspirated 3.8L has problems with the intake gasket leaking, which results in coolant/oil intermix. However, the supercharged version is not as prone to intake gasket leaks.

The more likely problem is a leaking head gasket or cracked head, which are much more serious repairs. I suggest you have a trained professional, such as one from YourMechanic, inspect the Coolant Light issue firsthand to pinpoint the problem. Then you can decide whether or not the vehicle is worth repairing.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How Does a Clutch Work?
A clutch for a manual transmission is not a single part, but many parts put together to form the clutch assembly that is part of the clutch system. The parts in a clutch assembly are the clutch pressure plate, clutch...
Battery won't keep charge, car slow to start.
Its sounds like you could have a parasitic drain on your battery. You would need to have a technician trace where it is coming from (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/service-battery-cables). A common problem is with interior lighting in the car. There may be a...
Location of bank 1, sensor 2 on 2012 Scion xb
Yes. Sensor 2 is after the converter. Sensor 1 is the one that is closest to the engine in the manifold. If you need help replacing an oxygen sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oxygen-sensor-replacement), a qualified technician from YourMechanic can come to your car's...
How to repair the P2238 trouble code in my car
Hi there. This P2238 code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p2238-obd-ii-trouble-code-o2-sensor-positive-current-control-circuit-low-bank-1-sensor-1-by-jay-safford) is set when the engine computer detects a short circuit on the heater for the 02 or AF sensor.The short is generally in the sensor itself and replacement corrects the condition. However, there could...
When heat is on outside air, exhaust smell. Not when circulating air. Worse when standing behind other cars.
Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle is designed to pull in the air in from around the vehicle to use in heating the air. When on that setting, the engine is pulling in exhaust fumes. This means that...
I have questions about my 2009 kia spectra's CEL and the codes I had read. Car run's good and was running good when light came on.
Given the three codes (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0170-obd-ii-trouble-code-fuel-trim-malfunction-bank-1-by-andrew-quinn), a known issue with sensor wiring in that vehicle (to be discussed momentarily), and only 89,000 miles on the engine, I would judge the likelihood of sensor failure to be "average". That is, there are...
Chip in key 2003 Land Rover Freelander
Hello - this is correct. There is a transponder chip inside your old key that is programmed already to your in-car receiver. Disassembling the old key, remove the chip, and installing it in your new key (discard or save the...
Hi I had a misfire in cylinder 2 today. I had replaced the ignition coil and spark plugs of the front 3 cylinders after the plugs
If the car sat for a year with fuel in the gas tank, that fuel has oxidized and created gum, varnish and other solid contaminants that have plugged up the fuel filter and the fuel injectors. The fuel filter is...
My car overheats and I have no heat - 2004 impala.
Hi there. Check the radiator and see if its plugged up. A plugged radiator will stop the flow of the coolant to and from the engine and cause the engine to overheat. If the radiator is working fine by having...

Related articles

P0216 OBD-II Trouble Code: Injection Timing Control Circuit Malfunction
P0216 P0216 code definition Injection timing control circuit malfunction What the P0215 code means The P0215 code means that the vehicle’s powertrain control module has detected a fault in the fuel injection timing control system. The powertrain control module takes...
What Does the Rear Spoiler Warning Light Mean?
The rear spoiler warning light lets you know when an issue has been detected with the spoiler system, usually due to a connector or fuse issue.
P0339 OBD-II Trouble Code: Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent
P0339 means that the car's computer has detected a voltage signal from the crankshaft position sensor that exceeds maximum specifications.