Coolant Issues
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Greenville SC
Coolant Issues
One of my friends has a 96 LT1 Auto and she is getting a message that the coolant is low. I took a look at it and could not find anywhere it was leaking, all the hoses and water pump look fine. The car has 89k on it. I checked the reservoir and it was at the mark it should be. Would this be a sensor issue and is it prone to fail or could there be more going on? Any help would be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
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From: Woodstock Georgia
Sounds like the level sensor in the surge tank has gone political (**** in other words). It is built into the tank and can not be replaced all by it's self. Check the wiring at the sensor first, but a new tank/sensor might be required. I am sure someone has the specs to ohm out the sensor, if no one else gets back to you let me know. I can check the FSM on my 95 and assume the 96 is the same.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
Even though the surge and overflow tanks look full air could be trapped in the system. Check the owner's manual for the correct procedure to "burp" the air out before you start throwing money at it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Woodstock Georgia
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
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From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
One of my friends has a 96 LT1 Auto and she is getting a message that the coolant is low. I took a look at it and could not find anywhere it was leaking, all the hoses and water pump look fine. The car has 89k on it. I checked the reservoir and it was at the mark it should be. Would this be a sensor issue and is it prone to fail or could there be more going on? Any help would be appreciated.
Believe the sensor is mounted in the expansion tank, not the reservoir (clear plastic tank behind bumper on passenger side).
Whereas the 'expansion tank' is designed to 'suck' anti-freeze back in from the reservoir once things cool off, if the coolant level is too low, or there is a leak, it can prevent the 'vacume' from building as the system cools and thereby the 'sucking' of the coolant back into the 'expansion tank'.
So, there is always value in checking the 'expansion tank' once and awhile when things are cool, just in case.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Engine off and cool, if you look into the radiator filler, it will always look full because the engine is below the top of the radiator and an air bubble in the engine top keeps coolant up to the radiator filler. You need to open the cap (always engine cold) to its first stop and idle the engine to the opening temp of the thermostat and then remove the cap and race the engine. When you do, coolant will begin to flow and you can watch the coolant level drop out of sight if there is air in the system. While keeping the engine racing slightly, pour coolant into the filler until full, replace the cap and then let the engine back down to idle. This is what is meant by ,"burping the cooling system".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Thats where I would go first. On a 96', you burp on the t-stat housing.
