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Coolant light...

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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 11:05 AM
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Default Coolant light...

Recently my coolant light has been coming on. Hoping that it was just low I filled as it was. Last week I noticed a coolant smell while driving and then I noticed white smoke out the pipes, not much but still noticed some. Coolant light goes away after engine warms but seems to come back from time to time while driving.

Where do I start?

Last edited by DonM77; Apr 2, 2007 at 11:20 AM.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 11:08 AM
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Before the white smoke thing I was gonna say leaky radiator or hose or something
White smoke usually means warped head, blown gasket
It can even be cracked block
Hopefully something simple
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by 94ZR1
Before the white smoke thing I was gonna say leaky radiator or hose or something
White smoke usually means warped head, blown gasket
It can even be cracked block
Hopefully something simple

Thats what I was afraid of...
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 11:32 AM
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with those same syptoms mine was the head gasket. I had both sides replaced and it ran around $1200.00. Good luck.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by joecaver
with those same syptoms mine was the head gasket. I had both sides replaced and it ran around $1200.00. Good luck.

This may sound like a stupid question but, white smoke only blows from the left pipe. Nothing from the right. Does this matter?
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 11:37 AM
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That would only matter if your car has true dual exhaust. The factory exhaust on my 93 has a crossover, so both pipes would smoke the same on my car.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by kalister1
That would only matter if your car has true dual exhaust. The factory exhaust on my 93 has a crossover, so both pipes would smoke the same on my car.
My 96 has factory, so it should be true dual exhuast?
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 12:00 PM
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NO, I think the factory exhaust has the crossover. Look under the car to be sure. If the pipes come together or not. True dual would be 2 separate pipes, the left and right banks would not mix.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 12:11 PM
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It sounds serious and expensive. Sorry. Let us know what you find out.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by onedef92
It sounds serious and expensive. Sorry. Let us know what you find out.

Gee, thanks...
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by DonM77
Gee, thanks...
We've all been there in one way, shape, form or another. At least you'll save on the labor end if you wrench it yourself and our tech support is always free!
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by DonM77
Gee, thanks...
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 02:09 PM
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First thing is first, start at the begining. Do a CO test on the coolant, also pull the cap off while its cold, fill it up and watch for bubbles, let it run til its up to operating temp and keep watching.

5 will get you 10 youve done a head gasket, being that its an LT1/4 it cant be much else.

1: Youre losing coolant
2: Youve got white smoke
3: Youre probably sh*t out of luck if you think itll go away on its own
4: The good news is a complete set of gaskets will only cost you about $115 USD (that includes the head gaskets, intake manifold, water pump, throttle body, and EGR)

You need to verify the fact it is a head gasket failure first before you go anywhere with it.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 02:12 PM
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Im assuming bubbles means...there is a blown gasket, or crack somewhere. If there is no bubbles, then what?

Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
First thing is first, start at the begining. Do a CO test on the coolant, also pull the cap off while its cold, fill it up and watch for bubbles, let it run til its up to operating temp and keep watching.

5 will get you 10 youve done a head gasket, being that its an LT1/4 it cant be much else.

1: Youre losing coolant
2: Youve got white smoke
3: Youre probably sh*t out of luck if you think itll go away on its own
4: The good news is a complete set of gaskets will only cost you about $115 USD (that includes the head gaskets, intake manifold, water pump, throttle body, and EGR)

You need to verify the fact it is a head gasket failure first before you go anywhere with it.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 02:20 PM
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You can pressure test the coolant system and look for leaks. If you start to see anti-freeze come out the tailpipe you know for sure what you have.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by DonM77
If there is no bubbles, then what?
We will cross that bridge if we come to it.

Id be hesitant to pressure test the cooling system until you CO test it. Then do a compresion test. I wouldnt put the coolant under too much pressure til you know what is going on. Run the cap on the first click so it runs less pressure, if the gasket is buggered then its going to allow water into 1 or more of the cylinders. The more pressure, the more water may get in. You dont want water in there.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 02:38 PM
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Good thinking, water in the cylinders is a bad thing!
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 02:39 PM
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OMG, when I had the plugs and wires replaced I fogot the Tech said my pulley was about to go. I just started her up and heard the pulley noise...damn CO text?

Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
We will cross that bridge if we come to it.

Id be hesitant to pressure test the cooling system until you CO test it. Then do a compresion test. I wouldnt put the coolant under too much pressure til you know what is going on. Run the cap on the first click so it runs less pressure, if the gasket is buggered then its going to allow water into 1 or more of the cylinders. The more pressure, the more water may get in. You dont want water in there.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 02:43 PM
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What pulley? Forget the bloody pulley!!! We've got far more important issues here!!!

Let us know what you see when you start it with the cap off. Allow it to run til about 150-170*F (unless it starts bubbling real bad)

Last edited by Casethecorvetteman; Apr 2, 2007 at 02:45 PM.
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Old Apr 2, 2007 | 02:44 PM
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By cap you mean the rad cap, correct? Or the coolant tank cap? So remove the cap then start? Or start then remove?

Originally Posted by Casethecorvetteman
What pulley? Forget the bloody pulley!!! We've got far more important issues here!!!

Let us know what you see when you start it with the cap off.
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