Coolant problem, Please help.

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Jul 6, 2004 | 09:26 AM

Gooseit

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 412

Likes: 21

From: Franklin TN

Coolant problem, Please help.

While driving my 95 vette over the 4th, the low coolant light came on and I could smell antifreeze, I stopped the car and checked, but the car is not low on coolant and I find no sign of a leak. I checked all the hoses, waterpump, etc and everything in dry as a bone. I drove the car another 75 miles or so to get it home with the light coming on and off and the temp staying normal. When I get the car home I open the hood to the smell of antifreeze, but no leak and the coolant if full, any advise?

Jul 6, 2004 | 09:30 AM

AGENT 86

Team Owner

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 20,254

Likes: 221

From: Summerland B.C. Canada

Re: Coolant problem, Please help. (Gooseit)

If you can't see it, pressure test rad and cap.

Jul 6, 2004 | 09:55 AM

c4cruiser

Team Owner

Joined: Dec 1999

Posts: 34,873

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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69

NCM Sinkhole Donor

Re: Coolant problem, Please help. (Gooseit)

Where did you check the coolant?? Did you open the radiator cap on the surge tank that sits above the heater fan or just check the overflow tank in the right side headlamp well?? The low coolant sensor is located in the surge tank and even if the coolant level only drops a short distance, the low coolant light will come on. Check when the engine is cool as there is a lot of pressure in the system when hot.

The have a pressure test done to find the source of the leak. And check the cap too and replace if necessary. Use a 15psi cap.

Jul 6, 2004 | 11:16 AM

key_on

Instructor

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 159

Likes: 3

From: Las Vegas,NV

Re: Coolant problem, Please help. (Gooseit)

Check your surge tank. Mine had a small crack in the lower hose fitting where it was brazed to the tank. The coolant was dripping onto the exhaust and vaporizing, so nothing ever appeared on the ground. I bought a new tank for $35 dollars and haven't had a leak since.

Jul 6, 2004 | 12:43 PM

KurtK

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 755

Likes: 42

From: Sierra Foothills, State of Jefferson

Re: Coolant problem, Please help. (Gooseit)

Have you ever flushed the coolant system? You may have some of the crud left over from those 'sealing tabs' that go get added when your Vette was manufactured.

I kept getting the 'Low Coolant' warning also. Last year I pulled the surge tank and the bottom had a lot of the 'sealing tab' stuff all over! It took quite a while to get all the stuff out.

Good luck!

Jul 6, 2004 | 01:17 PM

Gooseit

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 412

Likes: 21

From: Franklin TN

Re: Coolant problem, Please help. (KurtK)

I flushed the whole cooling system last year. I pulled the overflow tank, but not the surge tank,maybe I should try and pull the surge tank.

Jul 6, 2004 | 01:43 PM

frankrizzo1

Advanced

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 92

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From: san diego ca

Re: Coolant problem, Please help. (Gooseit)

Gooseit.....
I too was experiencing the exact same thing in my 94....
and couldn't figure it out for the life of me.....
yes i was just a lttle low on coolant which was causing my low coolant light to come on and off intermitenly....,and in addition to that i could smell hot antifreeze in the air.....,

turned out my water pump was leaking/dripping slowly from the bottom weep hole when the engine got warm and the cooling system built up enough pressure.....

check under the hood for dried up coolant splatter marks from it dripping onto your serpintine belt and splattering it on the underside of your hood....

also of course let your enging heat up in the driveway......, while you check for leaks/drips from the bottom of the pump.....