Coolant Problem 2001 GA SE

Could use some help ASAP. Coolant light came on so I went to check the level in the plastic overflow on the passenger side. Turned the knob to open and the knob comes off--PROBLEM there is a black insert that is in the fill hole that won't come out. I tried to unscrew it by genlty trying to notch it around and pry it up and out. Neither seems to work . Its as if its a press fit--Dexcool acting like locktite won't come out and I don't want to force it before asking. I don't seem to remember this ever being a problem since Iv'e been through the whole Dexcool garbage years ago and probably ended up paying more for repairs IE (intake manifold crack and gasket--passlock ) I could go on than the car is worth.. I havn't had any problems for almost 1 year--OMG-- Thanks for any Help.

Also the surge tank is plastic and its cold here in NY so I Can't take the chance on forcing it and snaooing the neck of the tank or the pressure insert (is what it looks like).. No takers ..

I've had my coolant cap basically 'break' like that too - the top unscrewed and came off but the other half was stuck in the tank. I had to pry it out with a flathead and it looks like it's damaged a bit but it's fine. Not sure of the best way to take it off without damaging it at all..

I would sugest getting some realy hot water and slowing pour it onto the cap/fill hole. This should allow it to release the vacum thats holding it so tightly, then use the flat screwdriver to pry it out.
It should snap back into the cap, the two parts. Though I would think about replacing it a soon as you can.

Hope that helps !

Havn't been here to check and thanks for the posts. I just left the car in the driveway and used another . Now lets just say you leave the car there shouldn't the vacuum leach away after some hrs ? Also its under PRESSURE 15psi cap so why would it suck down . I was going to do the hot water thing and spray some WD40 or similar earlier to penetrate before, its gonna be much warmer here in NY tomorrow. I just really hate this car sometimes...

If you ran th eresivoir dry a vacum gets formed, and it should let go after some time as you suspect, but maybe not always.

I wouldnt use WD40 on it, it could damage the plastic and the rubber "O" rings on the cap insert.

If you ran th eresivoir dry a vacum gets formed, and it should let go after some time as you suspect, but maybe not always.

I wouldnt use WD40 on it, it could damage the plastic and the rubber "O" rings on the cap insert.


OK HERES THE UPDATE--Let the wife take the car so it would come home hot. After filling the empty 2 litre bottle of Pepsi with hot water, putting the cap on and then forgetting about it I had come back to the sink and the bottle was sucked IN "vacuum". Now I feel stupid. So the car came home everything hot , let it sit till it cooled a little and the broken part of the plug came out fairly easy " under Pressure now" with a flat screwdriver . Bottom covered in the DEXCOOL . Cleaned it , the system wasn't really low , so I lubed the plug "white pet--vaseline" . Used crazy glue for the plastic plug--works great on plastic. Thanks again hopefully this info might help someone else.