Coolant disappeared
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: NB
Coolant disappeared
Have a '01 coupe w/6 spd, 34000 miles. In early July, had a experience with coolant. Upper rad hose plugged from (according to dealer) the green anti freeze that come from factory. Repaired and now has yellow antifreeze, which is supposed to be greatest thing since sliced bread.
Move ahead to a few days age......was on short cruise with some vette friends when noticed that temp showing 226 deg. Checked under the hood...no signs of any external leaks, oil looks normal, didn't smell hot but coolant level down a bit. Was able to get to auto supply store, added couple of liters. Drove home at speeds 70 to 90 mph and temp stayed in the 185 / 189 range during highway and city travel.
My big concern is...where did the coolant go????? At this point no sign of external leak and no indication of coolant in the oil. Haven't yet talked to dealer or any other professional.
I can't see my problem in July having anything to do with the issue a couple of days ago.....have traveled at least 2000 miles with no problem since the July fix.
Do these engines have any history of head gasket problems???
Would be interested in hearing some comments and/or suggestions.
Move ahead to a few days age......was on short cruise with some vette friends when noticed that temp showing 226 deg. Checked under the hood...no signs of any external leaks, oil looks normal, didn't smell hot but coolant level down a bit. Was able to get to auto supply store, added couple of liters. Drove home at speeds 70 to 90 mph and temp stayed in the 185 / 189 range during highway and city travel.
My big concern is...where did the coolant go????? At this point no sign of external leak and no indication of coolant in the oil. Haven't yet talked to dealer or any other professional.
I can't see my problem in July having anything to do with the issue a couple of days ago.....have traveled at least 2000 miles with no problem since the July fix.
Do these engines have any history of head gasket problems???
Would be interested in hearing some comments and/or suggestions.
Navigator
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Bonners Ferry ID
Greetings,
I had a similar problem around the same mileage which turned out to be a cracked radiator. Turns out that the plastic sides of the radiator have a horizontal mold line that failed on me which caused a very slow leak. I pressure tested the system and was able to find the crack (after pulling off the radiator shroud) and had to have my radiator replaced. Not sure if its the same problem that you are having but something to check on. Good luck and aloha,
Derek
I had a similar problem around the same mileage which turned out to be a cracked radiator. Turns out that the plastic sides of the radiator have a horizontal mold line that failed on me which caused a very slow leak. I pressure tested the system and was able to find the crack (after pulling off the radiator shroud) and had to have my radiator replaced. Not sure if its the same problem that you are having but something to check on. Good luck and aloha,
Derek
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
See below 
Have a '01 coupe w/6 spd, 34000 miles. In early July, had a experience with coolant. Upper rad hose plugged from (according to dealer) the green anti freeze that come from factory. Repaired and now has yellow antifreeze, which is supposed to be greatest thing since sliced bread.
Original coolant, which is DEXCOOL, is red. Dealer should have known this. If someone switched it, this could have been part of the problem although DEXCOOL will mix with the green stuff. Yellow indicates G-5 coolant, which isn't correct either. This is what Chrysler/Jeep uses and I think Mercedes as well. Where are you located? The dealer you are working with doesn't seem to know the car very well or be supplying GM parts.
Move ahead to a few days age......was on short cruise with some vette friends when noticed that temp showing 226 deg. Checked under the hood...no signs of any external leaks, oil looks normal, didn't smell hot but coolant level down a bit. Was able to get to auto supply store, added couple of liters. Drove home at speeds 70 to 90 mph and temp stayed in the 185 / 189 range during highway and city travel.
My big concern is...where did the coolant go????? At this point no sign of external leak and no indication of coolant in the oil. Haven't yet talked to dealer or any other professional.
When the other problem occurred, there may have been some air in the block that finally worked its way out. Thus, you showed a little low in the overflow tank. I would just continue to monitor the situation for now. Also, if your fans have not been re-programmed, the temps you are seeing are normal. First fans don't come on until 226 degrees and your highway temps actually look low. Sounds like the car has an aftermarket thermostat and no fan re-programming.
I can't see my problem in July having anything to do with the issue a couple of days ago.....have traveled at least 2000 miles with no problem since the July fix.
Do these engines have any history of head gasket problems???
Not really.
Would be interested in hearing some comments and/or suggestions.
Original coolant, which is DEXCOOL, is red. Dealer should have known this. If someone switched it, this could have been part of the problem although DEXCOOL will mix with the green stuff. Yellow indicates G-5 coolant, which isn't correct either. This is what Chrysler/Jeep uses and I think Mercedes as well. Where are you located? The dealer you are working with doesn't seem to know the car very well or be supplying GM parts.
Move ahead to a few days age......was on short cruise with some vette friends when noticed that temp showing 226 deg. Checked under the hood...no signs of any external leaks, oil looks normal, didn't smell hot but coolant level down a bit. Was able to get to auto supply store, added couple of liters. Drove home at speeds 70 to 90 mph and temp stayed in the 185 / 189 range during highway and city travel.
My big concern is...where did the coolant go????? At this point no sign of external leak and no indication of coolant in the oil. Haven't yet talked to dealer or any other professional.
When the other problem occurred, there may have been some air in the block that finally worked its way out. Thus, you showed a little low in the overflow tank. I would just continue to monitor the situation for now. Also, if your fans have not been re-programmed, the temps you are seeing are normal. First fans don't come on until 226 degrees and your highway temps actually look low. Sounds like the car has an aftermarket thermostat and no fan re-programming.
I can't see my problem in July having anything to do with the issue a couple of days ago.....have traveled at least 2000 miles with no problem since the July fix.
Do these engines have any history of head gasket problems???
Not really.
Would be interested in hearing some comments and/or suggestions.
Factory fill is NOT green.
