LT1 Coolant Problems...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 28,015
Likes: 32
LT1 Coolant Problems...
My 92's coolant system is acting weird.
The Low Coolant light is on.
The coolant in the system is low, but the coolant in the resevour is where it should be for it being "cold".
I ran t he car for about 5 minutes to see if the fluid would transfer to the system, but it doesn't appear that it did.
I don't know what to do, suggestions?
The Low Coolant light is on.
The coolant in the system is low, but the coolant in the resevour is where it should be for it being "cold".
I ran t he car for about 5 minutes to see if the fluid would transfer to the system, but it doesn't appear that it did.
I don't know what to do, suggestions?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
You did not state that you smell or see coolant so I am going to be long winded.
First I will state the obvious:
You probably have a leak somewhere. It may be a small leak (just air) which is not allowing the system to retain the vacuum that pulls the coolant back into the system from the expansion tank. Check your hoses, the Radiator cap, the expansion tank for cracks. ...worst case check your passenger side carpet for dampness. You did not talk about over heated or odd colored coolant or jacked up oil so I would not suspect the head-gaskets
!
Now for long windedness
Modern cars use a closed system.
When hot the coolant expands pressure goes beyond a set pressure the radiator cap divirts some coolant to the expansion tank. When the coolant cools it contracts and pulls coolant back into the system. A tiny leak that will let air into the system may not pass water and yet be enough that the system can't draw the coolant back in. Start with the easy stuff first. Cap, hoses, tank etc.
Good luck
Mike
First I will state the obvious:
You probably have a leak somewhere. It may be a small leak (just air) which is not allowing the system to retain the vacuum that pulls the coolant back into the system from the expansion tank. Check your hoses, the Radiator cap, the expansion tank for cracks. ...worst case check your passenger side carpet for dampness. You did not talk about over heated or odd colored coolant or jacked up oil so I would not suspect the head-gaskets
! Now for long windedness
Modern cars use a closed system.
When hot the coolant expands pressure goes beyond a set pressure the radiator cap divirts some coolant to the expansion tank. When the coolant cools it contracts and pulls coolant back into the system. A tiny leak that will let air into the system may not pass water and yet be enough that the system can't draw the coolant back in. Start with the easy stuff first. Cap, hoses, tank etc.
Good luck
Mike
Last edited by aboatguy; Aug 9, 2005 at 02:39 PM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 28,015
Likes: 32
Originally Posted by aboatguy
You probably have a leak somewhere.
It may be a small leak (just air) which is not allowing the system to retain the vacuum that pulls the coolant back into the sytem from the expansion tank.
Other suspects are the Radiator cap, or a crack in the expansion tank.
It may be a small leak (just air) which is not allowing the system to retain the vacuum that pulls the coolant back into the sytem from the expansion tank.
Other suspects are the Radiator cap, or a crack in the expansion tank.
About 2 months ago I was parked and noticed it flooding out. Put more fluid in it to get home, but the next day uncle sam called me away. So this is the first time i've had a chance to tinker with it.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
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From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by Valleybacker
I thought it had a leak as well.
About 2 months ago I was parked and noticed it flooding out. Put more fluid in it to get home, but the next day uncle sam called me away. So this is the first time i've had a chance to tinker with it.
About 2 months ago I was parked and noticed it flooding out. Put more fluid in it to get home, but the next day uncle sam called me away. So this is the first time i've had a chance to tinker with it.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 28,015
Likes: 32
Originally Posted by aboatguy
Where was it flooding out from? Was the overflow tank overflowing?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
I guess you need fill up the reservoir look for obvious leaks if you can't find it start the car up bring it up to temp and see where its leaking from.! I hope its a hose and not the radiator.
But from your description....it may be the rad!
But from your description....it may be the rad!
Last edited by aboatguy; Aug 9, 2005 at 04:16 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by bogus
I am betting $$$ it's the side tanks. They are plastic from the factory and weap along the seems.
and they crack! But this stuff was not in the first post!I wonder if removing the cats will help?
Mike
Last edited by aboatguy; Aug 9, 2005 at 05:43 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
That's why I put an all aluminum racing radiator in mine. I had both side tanks break while I was at a track event. I'm lucky I didn't spin off the road in my own fluids. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
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From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by bogus
I am betting $$$ it's the side tanks. They are plastic from the factory and weap along the seems.
A radiator is good for about 10 years.
