Found coolant very low
08-12-2018, 12:04 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
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.
08-12-2018, 01:13 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
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 ?
08-12-2018, 02:46 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
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.
08-12-2018, 03:40 PM
#4
Race Director
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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; 08-12-2018 at 03:43 PM.
08-12-2018, 07:05 PM
#5
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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!
08-12-2018, 07:59 PM
#6
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 ?
08-13-2018, 01:16 PM
#7
Tech Contributor
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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
08-13-2018, 05:39 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
Is the car stock? Drain your oil immediately and see if it's milky. Coolant doesn't just vanish.
08-13-2018, 09:12 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
Last thing you need is the oil getting watered down and you mess up some pistons. Ask me how I know....
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08-17-2018, 05:34 PM
#11
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St. Jude Donor '13
GM makes a harmless dye which can be added to the coolant and shows up under black light, to help find leaks.
They make a similar product for oil leaks.
They make a similar product for oil leaks.