Low Coolant Light, again...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,689
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral, FL 33904
Low Coolant Light, again...
It comes on in the morning, every morning. After a few minutes, it goes away. If I get on it, then if flashes again. What could this be? Had it checked out by chevy, and they couldn't find anything. Sometimes I get a smell of coolant. Anybody know what's going on?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Low Coolant Light, again... (KDuniverse)
I would:
A) make sure the level is up
and
B) Replace the level sensor
That sounds like the easiest solution...
the coolant smell may be washer fluid. have you spritzed your windscreen lately? If you are really smelling coolant, then it could be your heater core... dammit
A) make sure the level is up
and
B) Replace the level sensor
That sounds like the easiest solution...
the coolant smell may be washer fluid. have you spritzed your windscreen lately? If you are really smelling coolant, then it could be your heater core... dammit
Pro
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: CA
Re: Low Coolant Light, again... (KDuniverse)
I completely understand how you feel. I've had mine checked out three times in the last six months, twice by the dealer. I can't find coolant in the garage or in the parking lot at work, and mechanics can't find coolant in the oil (thankfully). Three pressure tests came up negative as well. I smell it while I'm driving sometimes, and now that it's happened so many times, I've noticed that I smell it in stop and go traffic when the engine temperature gets really hot. I know I'm losing water because when the light goes off and stays off, that car drinks up the new water I feed it. I'm no expert, so please humor me with my non-expert theories: Is it possible that I'm losing water through the reservoir while I'm driving and that's why I never see it? This weekend, I'm going to let the car run hot in garage and test out my theory.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
Likes: 17
From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Re: Low Coolant Light, again... (gpagaduan)
Mine seeps a tiny bit by the waterneck, just enough to smell but only a few drops a week. My coolant light has only come one once, when I was cruising down 95, going about 95:) for a while. I checked the rad and it was full. On mine, I'm guessing the sensor is bad or possibly sustained high RPM driving cause the thing to move a little, who knows.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 32,652
Likes: 0
From: I need a 4 door C6 Z06
CI 2-3-4-5-6-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Re: Low Coolant Light, again... (KDuniverse)
Kevin,
I have gotten a low coolant light twice both for about 5 seconds, and I too get the smell of coolant but no visible leaks and the temp runs fine. I was considering replacing the radiator cap but never did. BTW rumor has it youre shoppin for a new car.......care to comment???? :D
I have gotten a low coolant light twice both for about 5 seconds, and I too get the smell of coolant but no visible leaks and the temp runs fine. I was considering replacing the radiator cap but never did. BTW rumor has it youre shoppin for a new car.......care to comment???? :D
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,689
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral, FL 33904
Re: Low Coolant Light, again... (My 95)
Cap has been changed. Hoses are new, and I don't see drops around the neck. I guess I should maybe check the level sensor. Ken, I'm still lookin, when I find something, I'll make my announcement... :D
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Re: Low Coolant Light, again... (KDuniverse)
My car was doing the same thing and I removed the radiator cap, got the antifreeze ready, revved it up a little by hand and the freeze will drop in level, fill it while it is low and then replace the cap and leave off the throttle. This will remove all air pockets. Sorry the explination is a bit wordy, but this is the method I used and my problem went away. Good luck.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
From: Albany New York
Re: Low Coolant Light, again... (KDuniverse)
hey i had the same problem, it would do that every mourning then go away? i assume nothin is leakin right? your not fillin it everymouring are you? sometimes there is air pockets in the system warm it up alittle with your raditor cap off if you see it go down keep addin coolant :D
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Low Coolant Light, again... (KDuniverse)
You cannot detect the coolant level by looking in the radiator filler with the engine off!!!! C4's need to be burped (remove air in the cooling system). Starting cool, loosen rad cap , start engine, idle to 195 F or your thermostat opening temp, rev engine with the throttle link, remove rad cap and observe if the coolant level dropped when the water pump is moving coolant, if so, add coolant to the neck of the rad filler and then put rad cap back on. THEN you can let idle return to normal. Sometimes you have to do this more than once.
NEVER EVER open the radiator cap when your engine is hot or the coolant will suddenly boil and spray out the filler and scald you. I had a slow coolant leak and it didn't leave a puddle, or come out the exhaust as steam (head gasket leak), or come out the heater core. I found that it was leaking on an exhaust pipe and evaporating and not reaching the ground. Be sure that your overflow
bottle is half full of coolant too.
NEVER EVER open the radiator cap when your engine is hot or the coolant will suddenly boil and spray out the filler and scald you. I had a slow coolant leak and it didn't leave a puddle, or come out the exhaust as steam (head gasket leak), or come out the heater core. I found that it was leaking on an exhaust pipe and evaporating and not reaching the ground. Be sure that your overflow
bottle is half full of coolant too.
