C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Still having Low Coolant problems

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Old Feb 8, 2002 | 03:08 PM
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Default Still having Low Coolant problems

Hey,

I'm still having the low coolant light coming on. I've taken it to two shops, one of them the dealership, and they don't detect a leak. I've previously posted that there is no water in my garage or in the parking space at work. I can occasionally smell it and the car does take the water that I add with no problem. This has been going on for at least six months, maybe longer, and so far I haven't noticed any performance problems.

I now suspect the heater the core but I don't have any moisture in the passenger side floor, but I dis notice that the light comes on after I've run the heater. Where the heck it the water going?

The last shop to check it flushed the system, changed the thermostat and put on a new radiator cap.

Maybe it is the gaskets, but you'd think the two shops would've jumped on that repair instead of scratching their heads.

Totally baffled!!
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Old Feb 8, 2002 | 03:24 PM
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Default Re: Still having Low Coolant problems (gpagaduan)

Do you have a head gasket leak? Any white smoke from the exhaust? Is your oil level going up? You might want to do a compression test.
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Old Feb 8, 2002 | 04:16 PM
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Default Re: Still having Low Coolant problems (gpagaduan)

What year is your car?

David Fulcher
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Old Feb 8, 2002 | 04:48 PM
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Default Re: Still having Low Coolant problems (gpagaduan)

I've had it leak out of the heater core and then go out the drain tube and not on the passenger floor. It will look like the A/C is on during a hot day when the water leaks out of the drain tube for the evaporator. I always pressure check the system and watch for a while where the coolant comes from. Hope this helps!
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Old Feb 8, 2002 | 05:27 PM
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Default Re: Still having Low Coolant problems (Bluevette85)

The car is a 1990 coupe. I don't have any noticeable white smoke but it is a little hard to start. Dealership said it was due to a leaky fuel injector that I have yet to replace. Still debating on whether or not to do it myself. The dealership did an oil change when they did the coolant and no water in the oil, no oil in the water. Compression test? Is that the same thing as a pressure test when they look for leaks? Two shops tested for leaks but did not find anything.

Still mystified!!
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Old Feb 8, 2002 | 06:07 PM
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Default Re: Still having Low Coolant problems (gpagaduan)

A compression test can tell you if your headgasket leaks. Your remove the spark plugs and connect a compression test guage to each cyclinder and crank the engine. Compare the readings and if one is alot lower than the others, you may have a leak. You can also hook-up an air hose to each cyclinder and look for air bubbles in the radiator filler neck.
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Old Feb 8, 2002 | 07:28 PM
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Default Re: Still having Low Coolant problems (gpagaduan)

Is the coolant level getting low or is it that the low coolant light keeps coming on?

David Fulcher
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Old Feb 8, 2002 | 09:06 PM
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Default Re: Still having Low Coolant problems (David-F)

Hey David,

Both. Light comes on and coolant is low.
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Old Feb 8, 2002 | 09:37 PM
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Default Re: Still having Low Coolant problems (gpagaduan)

I previously had that problem with my 87. I was COMPLETELY stumped. SO, I ENDED up putting in a new radiator $175, along with COMPLETELY new lower and upper hoses tightened VERY tight. That has seemed to fix the problem for me. The trick to filling our cars up is..run the car with the heater on FULL blast, and fill the radiator up. This process is called "burping". Where you let the car run (WITH THE HEATER ON FULL BLAST), until it gets to 160º (Or whatever temp thermostat you have in it), then have someone hold the rpm's at 2000, and you keep filling up the radiator until their are NO air bubbles AT ALL.
Doing this, took me about 10 times, until I FINALLY got it fixed. So far so good. *Knock on wood*

You might also check your expansion tank.
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