Found coolant very low
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,274
Likes: 621
From: Los Angeles CA
Found coolant very low
so, my fan was coming on frequently and after only a couple of blocks. My coolant temp gauge was also moving a lot during driving. I checked the overflow / surge tank and saw it was just about empty. I mixed up dexcool coolant 40% with 60% water and now the temp gauge stays around 200 (a little under or over). I filled to a hair under the cold fill line.
its been 90 degrees plus during my commutes for the past few weeks. Has anyone experienced coolant loss in a closed system? Nobody’s touched the car except for oil changes done by the dealer and myself.
its been 90 degrees plus during my commutes for the past few weeks. Has anyone experienced coolant loss in a closed system? Nobody’s touched the car except for oil changes done by the dealer and myself.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 2,274
Likes: 621
From: Los Angeles CA
I definitely have some kind of leak. I filled yesterday and checked this morning and the surge tank is about as empty as it was when I filled yesterday. Just to be sure, since the owners manual says not to fill above the 'cold fill' line, there should be some in the tank when cold ?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,102
From: Fulshear, TX
Probably a lot or air bubbles in the system. Fill your tank again and see if it continues to drop. There definitely should be coolant in the tank hot or cold. The C7 uses 60% water/40% DexCool.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,964
Likes: 6,768
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
It wasn't bubbles in the system to begin with. You don't say how quickly the issue develped, but it had to go somewhere and will continue to do so. Time for a careful inspection, top, bottom, over, and under. Where you don't want to find it is in the oil-pan or steam in the exhaust.
Check the level every time you drive it. All the best!
Check the level every time you drive it. All the best!
Last edited by Avanti; Aug 12, 2018 at 03:43 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
It wasn't bubbles in the system to begin with. You don't say how quickly the issue develped, but it had to go somewhere and will continue to do so. Time for a careful inspection, top, bottom, over, and under. Where you don't want to find it is in the oil-pan or steam in the exhaust.
Check the level every time you drive it. All the best!
Check the level every time you drive it. All the best!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 312
Likes: 112
From: Salt Lake City
filling engine coolant expansion tank
I definitely have some kind of leak. I filled yesterday and checked this morning and the surge tank is about as empty as it was when I filled yesterday. Just to be sure, since the owners manual says not to fill above the 'cold fill' line, there should be some in the tank when cold ?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
If you suspect a leak take it to an autoparts store and have them use a leak detector to see if there is one. Most stores will do this in hopes of selling you something to stop the leak if there is one. If they don't actually do the leak detection themselves AutoZone more than likely will loan a leak detector to you under their Loan A Tool Program.
Bill
Bill
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