Low Coolant Light??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 119
Likes: 43
From: New Jersey
Low Coolant Light??
Hey Guys..
Not sure why, but I just took my 1989 out of storage to find that the coolant light came on after driving it for a mile or so. Lifted the hood to inspect for leaks, and there was nothing. Recovery tank is at the "Full" line. The light eventually went out, but came on again. After another 20 minutes of driving, the light went off. Engine temp remained between 180-182 degrees.
Does anyone have an idea what could be the cause of this?
I appreciate your thoughts.
Not sure why, but I just took my 1989 out of storage to find that the coolant light came on after driving it for a mile or so. Lifted the hood to inspect for leaks, and there was nothing. Recovery tank is at the "Full" line. The light eventually went out, but came on again. After another 20 minutes of driving, the light went off. Engine temp remained between 180-182 degrees.
Does anyone have an idea what could be the cause of this?
I appreciate your thoughts.
Last edited by Corvette503; Jun 10, 2014 at 08:48 PM.
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May have had some air in the system. As GKK said check the level after it cools off.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
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From: Anaheim CA
You might have a bad radiator cap. Sometimes they will release the coolant into the overflow tank but not allow the system to suck the coolant back in when it cools off.
Sometimes you can get a subtle coolant leak somewhere such that the water evaporates without leaving a puddle under the car. I just replaced a cracked thermostat housing that did that. I also had a leak in the steam tube hose that dripped water on the frame but didn't make a puddle under the car.
Sometimes you can get a subtle coolant leak somewhere such that the water evaporates without leaving a puddle under the car. I just replaced a cracked thermostat housing that did that. I also had a leak in the steam tube hose that dripped water on the frame but didn't make a puddle under the car.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,429
Likes: 605
From: Minneapolis Mn
Low coolant
I had this happen a couple of times on my 86. First was when driving it home after the purchase. Punched the accelerator coming out of a little town and it went out then came back a couple of hundred miles later. After cooling down, checked the radiator etc, found nothing. It went on and off on it's own a few times later, each time nothing found wrong.
Finally located the sensor (passenger side of the radiator a couple of inches lower) and cleaned the electrical connections and have not had a problem since. Hopefully that was my issue as it seems to now stay out.
Finally located the sensor (passenger side of the radiator a couple of inches lower) and cleaned the electrical connections and have not had a problem since. Hopefully that was my issue as it seems to now stay out.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 14
From: Nampa Idaho
You might have a bad radiator cap. Sometimes they will release the coolant into the overflow tank but not allow the system to suck the coolant back in when it cools off.
This was the problem with my 90, bad radiator cap! Get a good one from the dealer, not a cheap one from your auto parts store! I think I got one for $14.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Try packing the cooling system.
Loosen rad cap and get motor to operating temp so stat is open.
Hold rpm at 2000, remove cap and add coolant until full
Replace rad cap then shut motor off.
Loosen rad cap and get motor to operating temp so stat is open.
Hold rpm at 2000, remove cap and add coolant until full
Replace rad cap then shut motor off.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
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From: SANTA CRUZ CA
The sensor is located in the radiator, not the recovery tank. Check the rad level when 'cold'.
If the recovery tank is 'full', and the rad level is 'low' when 'cold', a siphon is not occurring during 'cool-down' due to air entering the cooling system, usually through a split hose end, rad cap gasket deformity, loose clamps, or any condition that would allow air to enter the closed system.
Pressurizing the system may help locate a leak (pump attached to the radiator neck). Use of a coolant dye may help: http://www.ehow.com/list_6152570_coo...ion-tools.html
If a rad cap is needed, you will find that most caps are made by
STANT, and packaged for sale under many brands, including ACDelco. New caps are made for both 'open' and 'closed' systems.
If the recovery tank is 'full', and the rad level is 'low' when 'cold', a siphon is not occurring during 'cool-down' due to air entering the cooling system, usually through a split hose end, rad cap gasket deformity, loose clamps, or any condition that would allow air to enter the closed system.
Pressurizing the system may help locate a leak (pump attached to the radiator neck). Use of a coolant dye may help: http://www.ehow.com/list_6152570_coo...ion-tools.html
If a rad cap is needed, you will find that most caps are made by
STANT, and packaged for sale under many brands, including ACDelco. New caps are made for both 'open' and 'closed' systems.