I have a 2005 with 90k miles that is giving me some worries. I'm not too smart about cooling system diagnosis, although I did once change a thermostat on a Ford, no make that on 2 Fords.

I noticed the other day that my radiator fan was on a lot more than usual during a lunch time trip. A lot more. Later that day, I got a coolant low message on the DIC.

So, I added the recommended coolant, along with equal parts water, and didn't think about it for a couple of days.

Today at lunch I got in the car and noticed a puddle of coolant from my car. I figured I overfilled, so that should be normal. Then the radiator fan came on again. Then the coolant low warning came on again. When I got home a few hours later ( I was watching the temps, they hovered in the 220-245 range) I noticed for the first time I remember, the radiator fan stayed on after I shut the car down, and got out.

So I stood there and thought of something smart to do, didn't, and opened the hood. I poked my hand between the radiator and engine, and the air that was blowing through didn't seem very hot.

Waited a few minutes, the fan stayed on, so I started the car for a few seconds, shut down, and the fan went off.

That's it, any help would be greatly appreciated. It seems to me that if it were the coolant temp sensor, I wouldn't be getting the "Coolant low" message.

Needs a thermostat?

John

 

You may have a shot water pump that's leaking. See if there is coolant dripping from under car in the front of the engine. Obviously the fluid went somewhere when you had to add fluid in the first place. Keep checking the fluid level over several days to see if it keeps going down; if so, it's leaking somewhere and should show a puddle again.

 

Has your original coolant ever been changed out?

 

Find out where the "puddle" of coolant is coming from. Could be radiator or water pump or a leaking coolant hose. Could be stuck thermostat. Also, check for debris (leaves, plastic bags, etc.) that may be blocking air flow through the radiator.

 

The water pump should have a weep hole that gives you an indication when the water pump seals are leaking. Take a look for signs of weep hole leakage.

 

Got a picture or any more info on this. I would like to know where and how to check this as I have 92K on mine.


DH

 

Howie,

No pics, just remembering what I've seen on almost every water pump I've ever touched. I wish I would have paid more attention to my C6 water pump when it was off the car. Should be a small hole at the bottom front. If fluid is coming out, seals are probably bad. Not a difficult swap though.

Sean

 

Thanks all for the replies. I learned from searching the archives, that there is no coolant level sensor, and that if the engine coolant temp sensor goes bad, that, + other computer calculations tell it to give that message.
I don't think that I have lost coolant, and the puddle was at the front left of the car, so I think that the coolant I added just got overflowed from the reservoir. The fluid level mark on the reservoir is so low, that it's not much different from the level when empty.

A new development today is that I can't get heat through the A/C.

At any rate I bought a new engine coolant temp sensor, will install tomorrow, and if that doesn't fix it I'll have to buy a Z06 or something.

John

 

Possible problem with the HVAC control head?

 

On our 2006 and now 2009, the full (cold) mark is at the front of the tank. Hard to see and interpert from the front, but...
Kneel beside the right front wheel and look across the top of the engine, you can see both the full mark and the level all along the tank. Much easier to understand!

 

Thanks all for the help, the coolant temp sensor fixed it. After replacing this morning, it never got over 200F. What a relief, and thanks to the forum! Always better to search archives before posting questions.

 

It was changed a couple of years ago during an air compressor replacement (GM paid).

Didn't mean to ignore your question.

 

Thanks for this info.

 

Glad you fixed the problem!

 

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...placement.html

I was getting an occasional coolant smell when starting, dealer couldn't find an actual leak but replaced the water pump. Apparantly, a slight leak can allow the coolant to vaporize as it comes out instead of puddling on the ground. Sometimes you can see a slight deposit around the weep hole but no actual fluid.

We'll see if that fixes my problem.

 

The problem came back. For some weird reason, after changing the temp sensor, it returned to normal, then went back to the same old tricks after a week.

Bought a new water pump for a good price (thanks to Gene Culley), installed it myself, everything is back to normal.
Maybe I shouldn't say that for a couple of weeks.

The installation was a bit of a trial, I had to think real hard how to hold the gaskets in place while attaching the water pump to the engine. My head still hurts from that.

The kit from Gene for 250 included t-stat, t-stat gasket (rubber ring), and 2 gaskets needed for the pump. So no need to order extra parts.

John

 

Why is the thermostat part of this kit? Never checked where mine is .... so is it in the water pump ??????????


DH

 

http://store.gmpartshouse.com/parts/...iagram=CF05040

Parts catalogs - never trust them.

If you look at the diagram !. is the water pump. 2. is the gasket set.
3. is the T-stat, o-ring, and housing. 4 is the o-ring only and 5. is the t-stat only.

What I found is that ordering 1. for 250.80 included the pump, the gasket set, the t-stat, the o-ring, and the t-stat housing.

So, like I said, order #1 and you get all of the parts in this diagram, or at least I did.

John