LOW COOLANT. Where does it go?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,854
Likes: 1
LOW COOLANT. Where does it go?
My car is constantly telling me "LOW COOLANT". Everytime I start the car I wait about ten seconds and sure enough... BING, LOW COOLANT. If I sit on a hill...BING, LOW COOLANT. My car does not leak at all. I have had the coolant topped off. That stopped it for a little while. Is this something that should leave the realm of annoying and enter the realm of alarming? Should I go buy my own coolant and fill it up every other week? Do you think it is just the sensor bugging out? Something seems wrong. Anyone...? Thanks in advance.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Plano Texas
Re: LOW COOLANT. Where does it go? (jedicowboy)
Sounds to me like you have a sensor bugging out.... If the reservoir is not low, there is no need to even go and buy coolant. If the reservoir does get low over a period of time then you do in fact have a leak somewhere. If the leak is internal, you might check the oil for signs of water in the oil.
Hope this helps....
Hope this helps....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,188
Likes: 0
From: not speeding just flying low
Re: LOW COOLANT. Where does it go? (jedicowboy)
If you are losing coolant and having to top off then you must have a leak. If you do not see any fluid leaking externally, then it may be a head gasket leak or somewhere else internal. I hope it is just the sensor and not an internal leak.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,750
Likes: 1
From: San Jose CA
Re: LOW COOLANT. Where does it go? (jedicowboy)
Mine was leaking from the water pump weep hole(A tiny hole in the back of the water pump). It only did it after it was cooling down. When it was cold, there was no trace of coolant and when it was hot, there was no trace. After time(3 months) the water pump continued to get worse and I found the problem. Mine would drip onto the frame, and the belts, so it took a while before any tell tale signs would show the leak. There are several of us that have had water pumps go in under 50K miles.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,557
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MD
Re: LOW COOLANT. Where does it go? (jedicowboy)
You ay be experiencing this
Engine Low Coolant Light Comes On (Inspect Rad. Surge Tank, Replace/Reposition) #99-06-02-016 - (09/28/1999)
Engine Low Coolant Light Comes On At Start-Up (Inspect for 2nd Design Radiator Surge Tank and Replace/Reposition)
1997-1999 Chevrolet Corvette
1997 Models Built Prior to VIN Breakpoint V5104277
This bulletin is being revised to add the 1999 model year and change the part number identification procedure. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 83-62-11 (Section 6 -- Engine)
Condition
Some customers may comment that the "low coolant" light comes on at start-up.
Cause
This condition may be caused due to the low coolant sensor being mounted in the rear of the radiator surge tank. When the vehicle is parked with the front lower than the rear, the coolant settles in the front half of the surge tank and with the switch in the rear of the tank, the switch float may be low enough to trigger the light. The "low coolant" light may come on if:
The vehicle is a 1997 model, built before VIN V5104277, with the old design radiator surge tank.
The radiator surge tank is improperly installed in the vehicle.
The coolant level in the vehicle coolant system is low.
The float in the tank is sticking.
The coolant level switch connector is improperly connected.
Correction
Caution
With a pressurized cooling system, the coolant temperature in the surge tank can be considerably higher than the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure. Removal of the surge tank cap, while the cooling system is hot and under high pressure, causes the solution to boil instantaneously with explosive force. This will cause the solution to spew out over the engine, fenders, and the person removing the cap. Serious bodily injury may result.
For 1997 vehicles built prior to VIN breakpoint V5104277, replace the radiator surge tank and inspect for an out of position wiring harness under the tank. To repair the harness, position the harness downward and secure with a tie strap. To determine if the surge tank is of the first or second design, inspect the low coolant switch cavity in the surge tank. If the surge tank cavity extends 16 mm (5/8 in) below the bottom of the surge tank, the tank is of a second design tank. If the cavity is less than 15 mm (19/32 in) replace the tank with P/N 10405218.
For all vehicles, check the level of the tank by viewing the lower mount on the tank. Less than 2 mm (.08 in) (#1) of the mounting slot should be visible above the attaching nut. If the gap is greater than 2 mm (0.08 in), loosen the surge tank and hold in a downward position to achieve less than a 2 mm (0.08 in) gap above the attaching nut. Tighten the bottom nut first, then both top nuts. Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 10N·m (89 lb in).
Verify coolant level in surge tank:
If engine coolant is hot, above 83° C (180° F), fill the coolant surge tank 12 mm (½ in) above the cold indicator mark.
If the engine coolant is at ambient room temperature, fill to the top of the cold indicator mark.
Parts Information
All parts in the GM Parts System since January 1997, and all parts used to manufacture vehicles since January 1997, are of the second design. If a vehicle is one of the 1997 vehicles prior to the serial number breakpoint, you may have to replace the radiator surge tank as described in Step 1, above.
P/N
Descrition
10405218
Tank Assembly, Radiator Surge
Engine Low Coolant Light Comes On (Inspect Rad. Surge Tank, Replace/Reposition) #99-06-02-016 - (09/28/1999)
Engine Low Coolant Light Comes On At Start-Up (Inspect for 2nd Design Radiator Surge Tank and Replace/Reposition)
1997-1999 Chevrolet Corvette
1997 Models Built Prior to VIN Breakpoint V5104277
This bulletin is being revised to add the 1999 model year and change the part number identification procedure. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 83-62-11 (Section 6 -- Engine)
Condition
Some customers may comment that the "low coolant" light comes on at start-up.
Cause
This condition may be caused due to the low coolant sensor being mounted in the rear of the radiator surge tank. When the vehicle is parked with the front lower than the rear, the coolant settles in the front half of the surge tank and with the switch in the rear of the tank, the switch float may be low enough to trigger the light. The "low coolant" light may come on if:
The vehicle is a 1997 model, built before VIN V5104277, with the old design radiator surge tank.
The radiator surge tank is improperly installed in the vehicle.
The coolant level in the vehicle coolant system is low.
The float in the tank is sticking.
The coolant level switch connector is improperly connected.
Correction
Caution
With a pressurized cooling system, the coolant temperature in the surge tank can be considerably higher than the boiling point of the solution at atmospheric pressure. Removal of the surge tank cap, while the cooling system is hot and under high pressure, causes the solution to boil instantaneously with explosive force. This will cause the solution to spew out over the engine, fenders, and the person removing the cap. Serious bodily injury may result.
For 1997 vehicles built prior to VIN breakpoint V5104277, replace the radiator surge tank and inspect for an out of position wiring harness under the tank. To repair the harness, position the harness downward and secure with a tie strap. To determine if the surge tank is of the first or second design, inspect the low coolant switch cavity in the surge tank. If the surge tank cavity extends 16 mm (5/8 in) below the bottom of the surge tank, the tank is of a second design tank. If the cavity is less than 15 mm (19/32 in) replace the tank with P/N 10405218.
For all vehicles, check the level of the tank by viewing the lower mount on the tank. Less than 2 mm (.08 in) (#1) of the mounting slot should be visible above the attaching nut. If the gap is greater than 2 mm (0.08 in), loosen the surge tank and hold in a downward position to achieve less than a 2 mm (0.08 in) gap above the attaching nut. Tighten the bottom nut first, then both top nuts. Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 10N·m (89 lb in).
Verify coolant level in surge tank:
If engine coolant is hot, above 83° C (180° F), fill the coolant surge tank 12 mm (½ in) above the cold indicator mark.
If the engine coolant is at ambient room temperature, fill to the top of the cold indicator mark.
Parts Information
All parts in the GM Parts System since January 1997, and all parts used to manufacture vehicles since January 1997, are of the second design. If a vehicle is one of the 1997 vehicles prior to the serial number breakpoint, you may have to replace the radiator surge tank as described in Step 1, above.
P/N
Descrition
10405218
Tank Assembly, Radiator Surge
