Engine Coolant Problem!! HELP! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Chrisco22 · 01-20-2015, 09:37 PM

Okay so recent i have been driving (by recently i mean two days ago it happened once, then today three-four times).

As I'm driving, the engine temp gauge Randomly goes from less than 1/2 way to the H (all the way full).. when this happens. the display reads Engine coolant temp high. i hit the button and then it says "Engine overheated idle engine".. then within a few seconds goes all the way back below the half line as if nothing is going on..

Has anyone experienced this? I am out of warranty and don't wanna run it immediately if anyone has any ideas.

yotaman96 · 01-20-2015, 09:52 PM

Sounds like you have an air pocket in the cooling system. It's also possible your coolant temp sensor or the wiring going to it is bad. Has any work been done to it lately such as a thermostat or water pump?

Chrisco22 · 01-20-2015, 10:03 PM

No work at all to her in awhile

forklord · 01-20-2015, 11:36 PM

sounds like a sensor/wiring maybe? id check your connections and wires for rubbing. maybe even put a meter on your sensor leads and find what the values when cold should be

Rock-It Man · 01-21-2015, 05:42 AM

If you know that the coolant level is OK, then I would look at the sensor and wiring as suggested. I haven't seen this problem since about 1990, but at the time, an old Chevy went through 3 sensors in about 5 years.

Also had a wire with the insulation rubbed through on an old Blazer...same symptom, and fixed with electrical tape. But these days, wiring is much better protected.

Synner · 01-21-2015, 06:24 AM

Probably a sensor going bad or electrical short but could be an air pocket if you've recently drained fluid or swapped a thermostat.

Hicompression · 01-21-2015, 11:36 AM

Did you purchase the car used? It may have been in a flood. Electrical gremlins suck...

MLAZ1990 · 01-21-2015, 11:54 AM

This happened to me recently. Make sure your coolant isn't leaking!

itsadryheat79 · 01-21-2015, 11:55 AM

Do you have anything plugged into the ODBII port like a scanner or logger?
I had a similar weird gauge reaction when mine came loose.

As soon as I unplugged it and reseated the connection - problem solved

Chrisco22 · 01-22-2015, 10:24 PM

There is currently nothing in the ODBII Port although the snapshot used to but plugged in but hasn't been in months.

It is really odd, i have been monitoring the coolant temps and they range from 189-217 yesterday. today, it was more like 240-257.. and the thing came on 2-3 times. It will stay on for a second (it comes on at 260) says. "high coolant temp" then say something about engine idle. Then it miraculously drops down to 230 or 240 and over again. its not even something that just happens at idle. It continues to happen. Im a little nervous, but i feel like it almost has to be a sensor just by the way the temp rises and falls so quickly. Yesterday got to 217 and dropped back to 189 in less than 30 seconds. I have literally driving around just watching the coolant temp gauges the whole time. Im in south florida, anyone relatively competitive pricing wise you would take it to (I'm in fort lauderdale). my old connection at chevy got fired and don't want to spend an arm and a leg to simply diagnose it.

Chrisco22 · 01-22-2015, 10:45 PM

I just finally opened the hood and poured coolant in, it literally came out as fast as i could put it in.. Any idea what this kinda repair should cost me

yotaman96 · 01-22-2015, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisco22

I just finally opened the hood and poured coolant in, it literally came out as fast as i could put it in.. Any idea what this kinda repair should cost me

Where is it coming from? Hopefully you haven't damaged it further by driving it without coolant.

Chrisco22 · 01-22-2015, 11:04 PM

Its coming from directly under where i pour the coolant in. Yeah hopefully. i mean this guy kept saying its a sensor.. obviously i won't be driving it until i take it in. I don't know anything about this, any advice would be great.

yotaman96 · 01-22-2015, 11:05 PM

Could just be a hose. You weren't running straight water in it were you? If so, it could have frozen and busted something.

01-20-2015, 09:37 PM	#1
Chrisco22 Drives: 2011 Chevy Camaro LS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United States Posts: 368	Engine Coolant Problem!! HELP! Okay so recent i have been driving (by recently i mean two days ago it happened once, then today three-four times). As I'm driving, the engine temp gauge Randomly goes from less than 1/2 way to the H (all the way full).. when this happens. the display reads Engine coolant temp high. i hit the button and then it says "Engine overheated idle engine".. then within a few seconds goes all the way back below the half line as if nothing is going on.. Has anyone experienced this? I am out of warranty and don't wanna run it immediately if anyone has any ideas. __________________ 2011 Camaro LS: [Rally Yellow] [22" Status Rims] [BBK Long Tube Headers w/ High Flow Cats] [Trifecta Tune] [K&N CAI] [Blacked out Bow Ties and Tail Lights] [15% Tint] [MAC Mufflers] [Rear Cat Delete] [Vmax Black Ice]

01-20-2015, 09:52 PM	#2
yotaman96 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS1LE 2000 Trans Am WS6 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, TN Posts: 2,955 View My Garage	Sounds like you have an air pocket in the cooling system. It's also possible your coolant temp sensor or the wiring going to it is bad. Has any work been done to it lately such as a thermostat or water pump? __________________ 2017 Krypton Green SS 1LE Magnacharged 2000 Trans Am WS6 manual trans 2002 Trans Am 2015 Ram Crew Cab Cummins

01-20-2015, 10:03 PM	#3
Chrisco22 Drives: 2011 Chevy Camaro LS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United States Posts: 368	No work at all to her in awhile __________________ 2011 Camaro LS: [Rally Yellow] [22" Status Rims] [BBK Long Tube Headers w/ High Flow Cats] [Trifecta Tune] [K&N CAI] [Blacked out Bow Ties and Tail Lights] [15% Tint] [MAC Mufflers] [Rear Cat Delete] [Vmax Black Ice]

01-20-2015, 11:36 PM	#4
forklord Drives: 2010 2SS Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 800	sounds like a sensor/wiring maybe? id check your connections and wires for rubbing. maybe even put a meter on your sensor leads and find what the values when cold should be __________________ 2010 2SS- 562whp/634wtq 12 psi on3 turbo 78mm magnum /w aem truboost, pat g cam, Kooks 3" catback, Factory Rep 41s with 285/315 20" michelin PSS, Snow Meth, Hex Hood Vents, ZL1 FP & ADM FPCM /w JMS BAP, ID 850s, DSS lvl 4 axles & aluminum 1 piece D/S, Total Pro BMR bushings, fe4 sways, toe rods & trailing arms, Prothane engine mounts, MGW shifter, eaton true trac, mantic 9000 clutch, idealg master cylinder, JDP clutch oil reservoir, ram clutch pedal adjust, Tick clutch & bleed lines, Dewitts Rad

01-21-2015, 11:36 AM	#7
Hicompression Rumbly Bumble Bee Drives: 2010 2SS Camaro Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 1,469	Did you purchase the car used? It may have been in a flood. Electrical gremlins suck... __________________ 2010 RALLY YELLOW 2SS 6M -OBX Longtubes FTW!

01-21-2015, 05:42 AM	#5
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,027 View My Garage	If you know that the coolant level is OK, then I would look at the sensor and wiring as suggested. I haven't seen this problem since about 1990, but at the time, an old Chevy went through 3 sensors in about 5 years. Also had a wire with the insulation rubbed through on an old Blazer...same symptom, and fixed with electrical tape. But these days, wiring is much better protected.

01-21-2015, 06:24 AM	#6
Synner Drives: cars Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oversneeze Posts: 4,545	Probably a sensor going bad or electrical short but could be an air pocket if you've recently drained fluid or swapped a thermostat.

01-21-2015, 11:54 AM	#8
MLAZ1990 Drives: 2012 black camaro 2LS Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3,023 View My Garage	This happened to me recently. Make sure your coolant isn't leaking! __________________ SLP Loud Mouth 1 Exhaust, K&N CAI, RS Headlights, NightOwl V2 halo kit, ZL1 Grille, Custom 2LS Emblems, Green Footwells, GM GFX splitter, Ace Alloy Convex All Matte Black Wheels(20x9 & 20x10.5) wrapped in Toyo Proxe STII(255/45/20 & 295/40/20)

01-21-2015, 11:55 AM	#9
itsadryheat79 Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE (2)79Z28 72RS 67SS 69Z Join Date: May 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 422 View My Garage	Do you have anything plugged into the ODBII port like a scanner or logger? I had a similar weird gauge reaction when mine came loose. As soon as I unplugged it and reseated the connection - problem solved __________________ - Buttons and Skulls - miss my annimated signature.

01-22-2015, 10:24 PM	#10
Chrisco22 Drives: 2011 Chevy Camaro LS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United States Posts: 368	There is currently nothing in the ODBII Port although the snapshot used to but plugged in but hasn't been in months. It is really odd, i have been monitoring the coolant temps and they range from 189-217 yesterday. today, it was more like 240-257.. and the thing came on 2-3 times. It will stay on for a second (it comes on at 260) says. "high coolant temp" then say something about engine idle. Then it miraculously drops down to 230 or 240 and over again. its not even something that just happens at idle. It continues to happen. Im a little nervous, but i feel like it almost has to be a sensor just by the way the temp rises and falls so quickly. Yesterday got to 217 and dropped back to 189 in less than 30 seconds. I have literally driving around just watching the coolant temp gauges the whole time. Im in south florida, anyone relatively competitive pricing wise you would take it to (I'm in fort lauderdale). my old connection at chevy got fired and don't want to spend an arm and a leg to simply diagnose it. __________________ 2011 Camaro LS: [Rally Yellow] [22" Status Rims] [BBK Long Tube Headers w/ High Flow Cats] [Trifecta Tune] [K&N CAI] [Blacked out Bow Ties and Tail Lights] [15% Tint] [MAC Mufflers] [Rear Cat Delete] [Vmax Black Ice]

01-22-2015, 10:45 PM	#11
Chrisco22 Drives: 2011 Chevy Camaro LS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United States Posts: 368	I just finally opened the hood and poured coolant in, it literally came out as fast as i could put it in.. Any idea what this kinda repair should cost me __________________ 2011 Camaro LS: [Rally Yellow] [22" Status Rims] [BBK Long Tube Headers w/ High Flow Cats] [Trifecta Tune] [K&N CAI] [Blacked out Bow Ties and Tail Lights] [15% Tint] [MAC Mufflers] [Rear Cat Delete] [Vmax Black Ice]

01-22-2015, 11:04 PM	#13
Chrisco22 Drives: 2011 Chevy Camaro LS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: United States Posts: 368	Its coming from directly under where i pour the coolant in. Yeah hopefully. i mean this guy kept saying its a sensor.. obviously i won't be driving it until i take it in. I don't know anything about this, any advice would be great. __________________ 2011 Camaro LS: [Rally Yellow] [22" Status Rims] [BBK Long Tube Headers w/ High Flow Cats] [Trifecta Tune] [K&N CAI] [Blacked out Bow Ties and Tail Lights] [15% Tint] [MAC Mufflers] [Rear Cat Delete] [Vmax Black Ice]

01-22-2015, 11:05 PM	#14
yotaman96 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS1LE 2000 Trans Am WS6 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, TN Posts: 2,955 View My Garage	Could just be a hose. You weren't running straight water in it were you? If so, it could have frozen and busted something. __________________ 2017 Krypton Green SS 1LE Magnacharged 2000 Trans Am WS6 manual trans 2002 Trans Am 2015 Ram Crew Cab Cummins