I have a 2002 Coupe with pretty low miles (~30,000 miles). I hardly ever drive
it, not because I'm trying to keep the mileage low, but because it's a little incovenient
most of the time with it being so low and all (and other stupid reasons). Love the car. I've
done all of the mods most people on this forumn have probably done... black wing intake,
GHL exhaust, 19 inch CCW wheels, cross-drilled/slotted BAER rotors, B&M ripper shifter,
Optima yellow top battery, etc. I do all the oil changes myself. The car looks new inside
and out as well as bottom with the exception of your normal nose chips from highway driving.
It sits in the garage most of the time attached to a battery tender.

So the problem is, I decided to drive it to work last week after having not driven it for
over 2 months when I noticed a few drops of liquid on the floor where it was parked.
Clear yellowish/brownish liquid which I now believe to be coolant fluid.
I put the car up on the
ramps yesterday to see where the leak was and it looks like it might be seeping through a
gasket at the very bottom of the engine. Looks like there's a tiny bit of corrosion going
on with the gasket. I can't believe it's leaking coolant fluid, the engine is so clean. So,
has anyone seen this problem before and know how much it cost to repair the problem? I'm
gonna have it checked and find out for sure in the next few days, but wanted to see if
someone else in the forum has seen this problem. It's just a gasket, but it looks pretty
hard to get to. Plus not sure what other gaskets are corroding.

I'm seriously debating trading in the car just because of this little problem. It's just a tiny
leak, but I'm worried there might be more corrosion going on.

So, anyone have any thoughts/advice?

thanks much...

 

Wipe off area by water pump, start car and check for leaks. That would be a start. Also, check and make sure rad. drain valve is tight. Certainly not worth getting rid of for this prob! Sweet looking ride.

 

Is this the original coolant from the factory?

 

I would get some dye that is specially made for detecting leaks. Different dyes are used in different fluids of the car. Once you've driven it for a while, break out the black light and the origin of the leak will be revealed to you. Forget the guessing game, do it right.

 

then get out and drive this car that is what they were made for and you will fall in love all over again.

 

Pics of the area showing the wetness would help as would a better description of the viscosity and slipperyness of the fluid.

yellowish bownish usually is not a color for coolant which is normally pink unless it is very old . What color is the fluid in your coolant reservoir

 

Wow, what a great looking C5, with the "right stuff."

If you do decide to sell it versus fixing what appears to be a small problem, you may want to try to sell it yourself. You obviously take good care of the car and it should go to someone on this forum, or to someone who knows someone on this forum.

Hate to see your sweet lil' C5 leave the family!

Let us know what you find out, but my next stop would be a qualified and competent Corvette specialty shop to see what they can tell you.

 

Yeah, it's the original coolant from the factory. I read a thread on the forum last night discussing corrosion problems with dexcool (I'm assuming the original coolant is dexcool). Kinda worried me a little (a lot!).

 

Yikes. Well, if it's the original coolant, then it's time for a flush and fill, right. 5 years is the max, correct?

You could have a leak test done on the coolant system while it's being flushed. It shouldn't be very expensive to see if the radiator holds pressure.

Otherwise, you could place something under the car where you suspect a leak. I usually use the disposable, aluminum oven liners. On a flat surface the fluid will not roll off (like on a garage floor). It will also not be absorbed. It makes it easier to analyze the color of the leak.

You'd definitely know if it were the transmission or the differential, since those are in the rear. It doesn't sound like brake fluid. It doesn't sound like the right color for coolant either. Yellowish/brownish liquid could be engine oil, maybe? Sometimes things look different on the floor...

Is anything low? Coolant? Engine oil? Power steering fluid?

 

The original coolant is pink (or brownish pink to exact). The leaking fluid is definitely not motor oil, it's too light in color. I don't think it's power steering fluid, not the same color plus the power steering level is not going down. Definitely not brake fluid, it's thicker than brake fluid plus braking performance would probably go down (I can stop on a dime). I don't think it's manual tranny fluid, not near tranny. It's definitely coolant, which I've never gotten replaced in the 6 years I've owned the car so the coolant is darker now. As I've read last night, the coolant becomes corrosive if not replaced for a long time (I'm an idiot for not getting it replaced). I guess I'll find out how much to get the corroded gaskets replaced soon. Doesn't look easy to replace the gaskets with all the parts that need to be taken out to get to the gaskets. If it costs too much, then trade-in is probably going to be a big option. I'd probably also consider having a blower put in if the shop will toss in the leak repair for free.

 

You might as well get rid of it now if a little problem like that is going to make you do something as drastic as trading it in. The car is only getting older and obviuosly little problems are going to creep up. Frankly I think you like the car and don't love it. No sense in having be aggravating to you life is too short. Good luck with your choice.

 

keep the car its a beauty fix or repair what ever needs doing

 

Thanks for the advice... I think you're right on the money. I really don't wanna get rid of the car though. I'm probably just over reacting, it's just a tiny leak after all. But it doesn't look like an easy repair with all the parts that will have to be removed to get to the gaskets. If the repair turns out to be too costly, I might have to cut my loses/aggravation. I'll make my decision once I get an estimate for the repair. I'll post a message to the forum if I decide to get rid of it in case someone here is interested.

 

Nice Vette and once you track down the leak fix it and she will be as good as new

 

How are you going to get an estimate for the repair when you don't know where the leak is coming from? I wouldn't trust a stealership to tell me where the leak is coming from, I would know before I took it to them. Then I can shop the job around, since I would already know what the job is. I bet if you take it to 5 different places, they'll come up with 3 different leaks. Get the dye and locate the leak yourself. That way, you have become empowered instead of looking like a sheep before the sacrifice.

 

I wasn't planning on taking it to the dealer... I was planning on taking it to Valaya Racing in San Jose, they're pretty popular and highly regarded here in the forum (at least they used to back in the days; i'm sure they still are). But you're probably right, I should try to find where exactly the leak is first before taking it to the shop. Hope Kragen or Pepboys carry the dye you're referring to...

thanks for the advice.. really appreciate it.

 

Don't give up,there are some realy great people on this forum who can point you in the right direction.

 

If you can't find the dye, let me know. I have a source.