The white smoke coming from the exhasut is a sign then engine has a blown head gasket. Coolant is getting into the combustion chamber and appears as white smoke at the exhaust. Maybe this is why the car has sat for 2 years?
have coolant system pressure tested and look for the leaks
if the water pump is noisy or it is leaking coolant out the relief hole on bottom of pump.
Either a blown head gasket or a cracked block possibly
My car is is running hot and smoking... i discovered the coolant was low i added new coolant and its pouring out the bottom of my car My car is is running hot and smoking... i discovered the coolant was low i added new coolant and its pouring out the bottom of my car
Your cooling system is empty of coolant and you must have a large leak somewhere.
Low coolant, stuck thermostat, blocked hoses.
The coolant in a 1998 model has dex cool antifreeze. It is red in color and not green. It is suppose to be good for 5 years or 150000 miles.
The 2004 Chevrolet Malibu coolant sensor float is located in the radiator. The coolant sensor float replace the level of coolant to the instrument panel.
probably the coolant level sensor... Does the temprature gauge go up to hot then down to normal?
UNFORTUNATELY, I have a 2001 Malibu and have had gaskets replaced three times now (intake and head) to fix coolant leaks. My sister and mom both have the same engine in their cars and have similar problems. Apparently this engine is prone to coolant leaks (which are pricey to repair).
it takes dex-cool coolant,
through the coolant tank!
Obviously, there is a leak somewhere. It's possible that it is the gasket leaking, and sorry to tell you that it will be pretty expensive to replace. Without more details of the leaking, I can't tell you much more. When mine was leaking, I was able to get it fixed under warranty. I hope you are as lucky.
lOW COOLANT OR BAD SENSOR
Where is coolant fan switch located on 1998 chevy Malibu with 3 .1
if coolant is ok!! then check coolant sensor.
drain a little coolant out,just below sensor.take connector off sensor,unscrew sensor!! be carefull not to bang sensor they are sensitive.when putting on new one, wrap the threads with teflon tape to prevent leaking.
cant get drain plug out 2005 malibu radiator
a coolant temperature sensor:can cause hard starting,stalling,blacksmoke from tailpipe,hesatation,rough idle,surging,cold engine warm up problems,poor fuel economy, the sensor sends a signal to computer!! fuel mixture and ignition timing are also affected by coolant sensor.
The intake manifold are very bad about corroding a hole in them which means that you will have to replace it.
The coolant level sensor is on the bottom of the coolant reservoir located on the passenger side fender well.
check coolant sensor float most common problem.
Find the source and repair it.
no cap, just the coolant tank, add to this to add coolant../
it looks like a radiator with coolant in! it should be red.