I'm loosing my mind! I've been trying multiple times and still get the low coolant light turning on. What the #@$@!

I've replaced the radiator and the temperatures are running 206 to 212.

Anyone have an idea on how to fix this?

I have an aftermarket radiator cap with a built in relief valve. Should I go to Chevorlet and get an OE cap?

Please help!

 

I kinda had this problem after getting a flush. They mechanic said it is common on these vettes and just take it for a few good runs and it should take care of its self. Mine did!

I took it out a few times over a weekend and really got on it and took it on some higher G bends(I figure all that shaking around jars the air pockets around). Took it home and made sure the overflow tank was topped off. Problem solved.

 

Just keep the overflow tank at the proper level and drive it.

 

Maybe your sensor is shorted. Check it out. I think if you undo the connector, the light should go out whether the coolant is low or not.

 

Replacing the radiator makes the coolant so low that air gets into the heater core and it takes about 3 burp sessions to get coolant into the heater core. Of course you have to burp correctly. Like this: Cold, turn rad cap to first stop, idle engine to the opening temp of the stat, then race engine to about 1500 rpm and remove cap, fill radiator to neck, replace rad cap and then let the rpm back down to idle, drive the car for a couple miles and if the low coolant light comes on, go home and let the engine cool down and burp again and drive again. Make absolutely certain you have no leaks! No white sweet smelling exhaust (head gasket leak), no blue colored spark plug insulators (head gasket leak).

 

Just drill a 1/8" hole in the base side of the t-stat. Might take one burp session.

 

I've had good luck by parking with the car headed up a fairly steep driveway, maybe about the angle of having the front wheels on ramps. I let it run there, increase RPM a bit and top off as the level drops, then cap it off.

I haven't seen the low coolant since and it was giving me fits months ago!

 

And leave it to me to go to the extreme....

Go have your coolant checked for Aromatic Hydrocarbons present. The Head gasket could be shot allowing super heated gasses into your cooling system.

This explains a warmer than usual temps on an otherwise well working cooling system AND a system that constantly has air in it.

Burp first...

Of course the thermostat will open even if the radiator cap is off. You can still idle the car in the drive while watching the coolant level........it'll drop when the thermostat opens...then when the cool water hits the stat...the flow will again stop momentarily. Once it heats up again you'll see the flow.

Allow it to flow for a few minutes and then top it off if it is low.

I'm now expert, I'm just telling you what works for me. I've had my cooling system open for more than a few reasons over the past couple of years.

 

Yup, that's what I plan to do next time.

 

Thank you all for your suggestions. I'll give them a try when I get home and repost.

I have a felpro 1010 headgasket set with 3K miles on them. Spark plugs look great. Oil is fine and no appearances of a head gasket leak.

I do have an intake air leak, but that's another thread in itself!

No matter what I do it seems that its not pulling any coolant from the resevior!

 

Well I still haven't been able to get the damn coolant light to turn off and now I found coolant pooling up on the intake by the erg tube (passenger side by firewall).

HAHAHHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Same thing happened to me. I burped and burped over and over and the low coolant light kept coming on intermittently. I replace the low coolant relay, sensor & cap all to no avail. I was stumped for over a year.

Then I noticed the smell of antifreeze but could not find a leak. I looked and looked and finally found a tiny pin hole in the underside of one of the heater hoses. I replaced the hose and that FINALLY fixed the problem.

Soooooo, my experience is that if you have ANY leak in your cooling system, no matter how small, your low coolant light will come on. Check out the leak near your EGR area and fix it ASAP.

 

Tain't funny McGee.

 

Pressure testing would have found that leak faster.

 

You are right; I'm smarter now.

 

I just noticed you live in East Hampton, CT. I just moved from there 2 years ago, I am in colchester now. I lived on Hog Hill rd. small world. I am sure you have been up to the colchester green for the car shows, Last Thurs of every month, I think. Lots of vettes. I have an 86 which I replaced the radiator on this past spring, no problems yet. Maybe see around sometime. Take care-Eric

 

Hi Eric

Thanks for the heads up. I'll try to make it down there. In trying to find where Colchester on the green is, I found this on the Ferrari forum. Some of the dates are old, but for future reference.

Classic car shows in CT

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Hey guys I always knew about a meet every Tuesday in Glastonbury at McDonald's on Main street right down the road from our Sunday gathering. I did a little search and found there are weekly meets all over the place. Mind you these are usually American hot rods and muscle cars, but I know a lot of you love all cars. I will cut and paste the May schedule and here is the link for other months.
http://www.dreammachineclassics.org/schedule_2004.htm
May 1, Tri-Town Cruisers-Cruise Night, Connecticut Golf Land & Games, 95 Hartford Turnpike - Route 83, Vernon, CT, April until September, every Friday night , 6-9pm, call (860) 763-1508 or visit web site: www.tritowncruzers.com

May 1, Cruise Night in Scotland, Sponsored by Scotland General Store & Corvette's Takeout, 5-8pm, parking at Saint Margarets and Town Green, 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, more info 423-8657

May 1, Cruise Night, The Pavilion, Hopkinton, RI, every Friday night thru September, 5pm - Dusk, Fine Dining and Mini Golf Available, Take 95 North or South to Exit 1 (RT 3 South) Approx. 1/8 mile on left, All Vehicles Welcome

May 1-3, Knoxville, TN, Street Rod Nationals South, Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center, info: NSRA (303) 776-7841

May 2-3, Rhinebeck 2009 Car Show and Swap Meet, Hudson River Valley, Antique Auto Association, Saturday over 600 Rods, Customs, and Sports Compacts, Sunday 1,000 Antique Cars, Classics, Foreign (to 1977), both days Swap Meet, Crafts Building & Food Court, Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck, NY, call (845) 876-3554 or email jadoyle@frontiemet.net; www.rhinebeckshow.com

May 2, Putnam, CT, Stop and Shop, (Exit 97 off I-395, take right off exit), 6-9pm, every Saturday night thru September, (860) 928-5635

May 2, Bethel, CT, Sycamore Drive-In Restaurant, 282 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, CT, every Saturday Night May-September, 6pm - 9pm, phone (203) 748-2716

May 2, New Haven, CT, The Elm City Cruisers, McDonald's Restaurant, 250 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, CT, Up to 9 Trophies Weekly, every Saturday Night May 2nd-September 26th, 6pm - 9pm

May 2,The Connecticut Street Legends Car Club presents, BRING A TOY --CAR SHOW to Benefit the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 9am-2pm, Wal Mart parking lot Berlin Tpke.Newg. (behind Panera Bread), No Cut Off Year, All Makes, Models, Street Rods, Trucks, Antiques, Motorcycles, All Welcomed, Trophies, All toys will be delivered to the hospital the same day, Parking for 200 Cars, info Chet (860) 568-1836 or Bob (860) 966-9270, Rain date May 9th

May 2, 2009 Cruise Night, Bristol Auto Club, The Bristol Farms Plaza, 1235 Farmington Avenue (Rt 6), Bristol, CT, 5pm-8:30, every Saturday night (weather permitting) thru October 3rd

May 3, Bristol, CT, 40th Annual All Automotive Swap Meet, Sponsored by Connecticut Street Rod Assn. at Lake Compounce Amusement Park parking lot, I-84 to Exit 31, north on Rt 229, follow signs, 7am-4pm, call Pat (203) 697-9113 or Pete (860) 635-4971, email choppeda@aol.com, Due to space no more preferred parking for Street Rods

May 3, 6th Annual Cam Jammers Auto Club Benefit Car Show, Windsor Elks Club, Deerfield Avenue, Windsor, CT, 10am - 3pm, Rain or Shine, Participant Trophies, Specialty Awards, Top Picks, info www.camjammers.com or Jay Sinatro (860) 550-3013 or Rich DiNino (860) 670-0231

May 4, Classic Cruise 2009, Mark's Auto Parts Inc., 22 Russell Road (Off Rte. 20), East Granby, CT, every Monday night, 5pm-9pm, weekly trophies, www.markscruisenight.com

May 5, Nature's Art (Dinosaurs), Yesteryear of Oakdale Auto Club, Rt 85 Chesterfield, CT, 6pm- -9pm, No Rain Date, Pre-1978 Vehicles, Special Interest Vehicles Only, Classic and Antique Cars and Antique Drivers too!

May 5, Glastonbury McDonald's Cruise, Main Street, Glastonbury, CT, every Tuesday night, 6pm - 9pm, info John Cassello (860) 289-0045

May 5, Oakland Beach Sea Wall, Oakland Beach Avenue, Warwick, RI, 5-dusk, every Tuesday night

May 6, Windsor, CT, Barts Drive In and The Carbs of Hartford, Palasiado Ave, Rt 159; Windsor , CT, (860) 688-9035, every Wednesday night, for updates: www.carbsofhartford.com

May 6, Cruise Night at Glenwood Drive-In, 2538 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, CT, every Wednesday night, 6pm - 10pm, more info (203) 281-0604 or www.glenwooddrivein.com

May 7, Somers, CT, Rich's Drive-In Cruise Night, 74 South Road - Route 83, Somers, CT, every Thursday night, 5pm - 9pm, (860) 749-3917

May 8 - 10, Mansfield, MA, 50th Annual Swap Meet, Comcast Center (formerly Tweeter Center), Route 140, at I-495, Mansfield, MA, gates open Friday 4pm-10pm, Saturday 6am-8pm and Sunday 6am-4pm, Sunday Car Show thru 1970 - No Judging; info (508) 947-6600

May 9, The 14th Annual Morgan School Car Show, Clinton, CT, at 27 Killingworth Turnpike (route 81), Exit 63 off of I-95, follow the signs (formerly Tanger Outlet Stores), 10am-2pm, more info (203) 401-9820, Rain date May 16

May 12, Dream Machine Classics, Cruisin At the Montville Commons, 6pm - 8:30pm, Music by "The PO'M", Food Available, Awards, DMC Dragway Valve Cover Races, click here for dragway rules,

Valve Cover Races are free and limited to the first 20 participants signed up because of time constraints; if the limit is reached prior to 6:15pm - then the activity will begin, if not, the Basic Rules will apply. Participants have to be signed in by 6:15pm in order to race because it takes time to prepare the line up and set up the race board; late entries will not be able to participate.

Rods - Customs - Antiques - Muscle Cars (1983 & Older unless Radical Custom) parking for the first 150 cars, call (860) 546-6113 or (860) 848-1955 or (860) 887-9049, Rain Date following Thursday

Directions to the Montville Commons Cruise Location:

Exit 79A (North & South) off I-395, Take the first Exit, at light turn right onto Rt 32 South, go to the next light turn right into Montville Commons follow signs to The Home Depot Parking Lot

From Rt 12, turn onto Mohegan Pequot Bridge, take Rt 32 exit, left off the exit ramp at the light onto Rt 32 South, go 1/2 mile and at 2nd light turn right into Montville Commons and follow signs to The Home Depot Parking Lot


May 12, Essex Fire Co. Car Cruise Night, Route 154, Essex, CT, (Just off Route 9, Exit 3), every Tuesday night May 12 thru September 29, Hosted by the Misfit Cruisers, 5pm - 8pm, Trophies and DJ, more info Don Brookes 526-2605 or 388-7678

May 13, Harbour Seal Family Restaurant (formerly Ray's Seafood & Grill) Cruise Nights 2009, Route 1, Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT, Hosted by the Shoreline Recycled Teenage Cruisers, every Wednesday night May 13 thru September 9, 5:30pm - 8:30pm, awards every week, Open Show Street Rods, Customs, Classics and Antiques, call (203) 457-0789, www.shorelinecruiserssrtc.com

May 14-16, Looking for Hot Rods and Classics 1920-1960 cars for the Plainfield High School "Grease" Musical Production in Plainfield, CT, the Musical Director is looking for at least 15 cars per show (can be different cars at each show) so people can "come back and re-live the past" by seeing cars from that era prior to the show, cars need to be set up by 5pm each night, The Show runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday-starting 7pm each night, and a 1pm matinee on Saturday, Please contact Brian Stevenson, Choral Music Director, if you would like to participate (860) 836-5500 cell

May 15, Buddy's Dugout Car Rally Night, 146 West Town Street, Norwichtown, CT, Exit 82 off I-395, 1st and 3rd Friday of the month starting May 15, 5pm - 9pm, Great Food, Trophies, and DJ, for more info call (860) 889-0899

May 16, Southeastern Connecticut Mustang Club, Saturday Night Cruise, Beit Brothers Supermarket Parking Lot, Rte 32, Uncasville, CT, 5pm-8pm

May 16, Cruisin' for a Cause Car Show, Jillson Square, Willimantic, CT, 10am-3pm, 1984 and older, Registration 9am-11am, Music by the P'OM, info Susan@leahymg.com

May 16, DMC FUN RUN, DMC members leaving Tractor Supply (Exit 85 off I-395) at 10:15am, "Strolling for Sunshine" Scotty's 5K Walk, Constitution Field, Voluntown, CT, 9am-10am Registration, 10:15 Walk Begins, Registration Forms due by April 15, Antique Car Show, 11am Dream Machine Classics Auto Club and Area Car Owners, Sponsored by NAPA Auto Parts, see website www.scottyswalk.org for registration forms, Rain Date May 17

May 17, Hebron, CT, Cruisin On 66, Village Shoppes, 127 Main Street, 4-8pm, every 3rd Sunday through September, call Dave Armsta (860) 228-4311

May 17, 25th Annual All Pontiac and Oakland Spring Car Show, Sponsored by the Nutmeg Chapter POCI at Barbarino Car Country, Rt 5, Wallingford, CT, Rain date June 7, info: Mike O'Neill (203) 266-7089

May 18, Dream Machine Classics club meeting, 7pm

May 18, Ocean Beach Cruise Nite, New London, CT, 6pm - 9pm, every Monday night

May 19, Cruise Nite at Aero Diner, Rt 6, Willimantic, CT, across from Wal-Mart, Info contact Mike (860) 450-1959

May 20, Colchester, CT, Colchester on the Green, call (860) 873-1049, Rain date following Wednesday

May 21, Classic Car Cruise Nights at Misquamicut Beach, RI, Windjammer East Lot on Atlantic Avenue (same road as last year, about one mile further down past the State Beach), every Thursday night thru September 24, from 5:30 til Dusk, All Cars Welcome, (877) 622-2930, www.misquamicut.org

May 21, Vinal Tech/Skills USA Team Annual Car Cruise Night, 5pm-8pm, Middletown, CT, more info www.cttech.org/VINAL/student/vica/htm

May 22, Hooters Cruise Night!! 1731 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, CT (860) 563-8083, every Friday night until September 25th, 6pm - 9pm, All Classics and Specialty Welcome, www.ctgtoclub.org

May 24, Memorial Day Weekend Car Show at Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT

May 25, The Lyme-Old Lyme Antique Car Show, Lyme Art Academy, Lyme Street, Exit 70 off I-95, sponsored by the Lyme-Old Lyme Lions Club, vehicles 1980 or older, Jim Graybill (860) 434-8250 or (860) 434-3530, Phil Parcak (860) 434-9044, www.lymeoldlymelions.com

May 25, DMC FUN RUN, DMC members leaving Tractor Supply (Exit 85 off I-395) at 8:30am, RI Street Rodding Automotive Extravaganza Car Show, Johnston Memorial Park, Rte. 6, off 295, Johnston, RI, 9am - 3pm, Sponsored by the Rhode Island Street Rodding Association, Info Bill Sharpe/Dave Lombari (401) 823-0409

May 27, Cruising the Center 2009, LaSalle Road, West Hartford Center, CT, 5:30pm - 8pm, Cars are invited to line up at 4:30pm in the LaSalle/Arapahoe parking lot, Dash Plaques for the first 200 cars, Awards, Street Rods, Customs and Classics Invited, The cut off year is 1984, more info (860) 521-2300 or www.WHChamber.com, Rain Date June 3

May 30, E.J.K. Car Show, Xavier High School, 181 Randolph Road, Middletown, CT, Exit 11 off Rt. 9 north or south, turn left, Xavier is on the left, All Cars and Motorcycles Welcome, 10am - 3pm (Drivers welcome at 9:30am), First 50 Cars get a free gift, First 100 cars get a Dash Plaque, Rain Date May 31, info (860) 870-8590 or ejkscholarshipfund@sbcglobal.net

May 31, 2nd Annual Car Show to Benefit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer, On the Green Downtown Windsor in Front of Town Hall, 12ap - 4pm, All Cars, Antiques, Street Rods, Customs, Trucks and Motorcycles, No Cut Off Year, Dash Plaques to the first 200 Vehicles, 25 Trophies, Judging begins at 2pm, Trophies awarded at 3pm, info Chet Camilleri (860) 568-1836 or www.pcctevents.com or email pcctevents@yahoo.com