200 base sudden coolant loss
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 3
From: wrentham ma
200 base sudden coolant loss
I'm new to this car so please forgive me if this is a dumb question.
An hour ago, after blasing around, parked the car in the driveway. I noticed DexCool, a pretty big puddle. I say, "Oh S**t!
It was coming out the overflow. I started it and coolant temp was 220.
So, if the few weeks I've been driving, this has not happened. The coolant was rather low in the tank but I'm not sure how much should be there.
So the car didn't "overheat" but it purged coolant, from a tank that was low to begin with. Now that it is cool, there is coolant in the overflow tank, but very little.
Any thoughts? Problem or not?
Thanks for all the help
An hour ago, after blasing around, parked the car in the driveway. I noticed DexCool, a pretty big puddle. I say, "Oh S**t!
It was coming out the overflow. I started it and coolant temp was 220.
So, if the few weeks I've been driving, this has not happened. The coolant was rather low in the tank but I'm not sure how much should be there.
So the car didn't "overheat" but it purged coolant, from a tank that was low to begin with. Now that it is cool, there is coolant in the overflow tank, but very little.
Any thoughts? Problem or not?
Thanks for all the help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 552
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
With the engine cold and the car level, the coolant should be at the line on the overflow tank. The line is on the passenger side of the tank (thus making it really hard to see) on the end toward the driver, about 1/2" down from the top of the transparent part of the tank.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 16
From: Sugarhill Ga
if you shut the engine off while it was still WARM from driving, the fans may not have stayed running long enough so the coolant boiled over and purged from the tank. If you have never had this problem before I would suggest topping it off and letting the engine cool down some with fans running after a HARD DRIVE.
you may also have to change the coolant bottle cap and possibly the t-stat.
you may also have to change the coolant bottle cap and possibly the t-stat.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 3
From: wrentham ma
Thanks
The tank was low. I filled with 50% dexcool to the mark (hard to see). Its been low for the past few weeks since ownership but I didn't think this tank was more than an expansion tank.
I've been following the thermostat threads here. The C6 is different from all of my other cars, in that they reach op temp, and stay there. This car goes from 185 to 220, depending on air speed. At speed, the temp is down. The weather has been still cool in MA, today getting a bit warmer into the 50's. Will it get hotter in stop and go traffic this summer? Or will the fans cycle on? The car came from FLA so I'm sure all is ok.
Thanks again for the reply.
The tank was low. I filled with 50% dexcool to the mark (hard to see). Its been low for the past few weeks since ownership but I didn't think this tank was more than an expansion tank.
I've been following the thermostat threads here. The C6 is different from all of my other cars, in that they reach op temp, and stay there. This car goes from 185 to 220, depending on air speed. At speed, the temp is down. The weather has been still cool in MA, today getting a bit warmer into the 50's. Will it get hotter in stop and go traffic this summer? Or will the fans cycle on? The car came from FLA so I'm sure all is ok.
Thanks again for the reply.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,023
Likes: 2,715
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Our 2006 and now 2009 stayed right at 195 on the highway, but quickly went to 220 in traffic. But very seldom above that.
On ours, the coolant level (cold) is a line marked on the front of the plastic tank. Very easy to miss.
On ours, the coolant level (cold) is a line marked on the front of the plastic tank. Very easy to miss.
