2004 Saturn Vue Coolant temperature issues

Justin:
There are a lot of variables here that you have given me. First, if there is a coolant leak, that should be addressed first to see if it eliminates the overheating. The t-stat could be fine as well as the radiator. Fix the leak first to see if that eliminates the problem before spending money where it may not be needed.

As far as the brakes, if the engine RPM's drop low enough, the vacuum assist to the brake booster will drop and can cause the brake pedal to feel hard to push. Is that what is happening? Also, have you checked to see if there is a vacuum leak that could cause lower vacuum and the vehicle to run poorly? When it feels like the vehicle is slowing quickly (when you let off the gas) are the RPM's high? I ask this because you mentioned it feels like it is stuck in one gear. Does it seem like any of the wheels are getting exceptionally hot (possible stuck brake caliper)?

One last question, has the check engine light come on? If so, have you had the computer scanned to determine the trouble codes?

Hi-

I haven't noticed any leaking going on under the hood nor under my car. When I check under the hood I would look at the coolant tank and see the same amount of coolant sitting inside.

When I notice that my car is acting different I would check under my hood and look at the coolant tank and would see the coolant rising all the way up to the reservoir cap- I would also smell something under the hood and a little bit of smoke as if something was burning.

My check engine light has not come on.

Thanks.

Justin

Is the temperature gauge showing that the engine is running hot?

When my car is running normal the gauge would usually sit at the quarter mark- but when the car is acting different the gauge would rise as high as the half mark.

If it is going to the halfway mark, that is still in the normal range. I need you to try something. When the engine is cold, remove the radiator cap and start the engine. Let me know if coolant shoots out.

When you say "radiator cap" do you mean the cap on the coolant tank?

If that is the only one, yes. Some had a cap on the radiator itself. Also, DO NOT remove the cap until the engine is cold.

Okay so I took the reservoir cap off of the coolant tank and started the car for one minute and no coolant shot out of the tank. The only thing I witnessed happening was the coolant rose really slow then stopped.