Check your Intercooler Coolant Level! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

VRZL113 · 02-16-2018, 11:40 AM

As the title states, check your intercooler coolant level after the dealer replaces your supercharger for the coupler failure service bulletin. My supercharger was replaced right before I purchased my car in November of 17' (found out after I did a service check), and I never thought to check it. Well, while I was out in the garage tinkering with the car last night, I decided to check it, and low and behold there was no coolant visible at the opening of the filler neck. I purchased some fresh 50/50 Dex-Cool, and started to add coolant. I followed the fill procedure which is by no means difficult (don't let the owners manual scare you), and it took a decent amount of coolant to finally level it off after running the pump a few times to get the air out. No wonder my IAT2's were in the low 120's while cruising on a 40 degree day.

hammdo · 02-16-2018, 12:38 PM

Excellent post.

Reason I added a bigger reservoir to my LSA conversion:

-Don

VRZL113 · 02-16-2018, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hammdo

Excellent post.

Reason I added a bigger reservoir to my LSA conversion:

-Don

Very nice^

Looks oem.

JB'sZL1 · 02-16-2018, 02:02 PM

Good post.

I will go one further: check your coolant levels once or twice a month.

hammdo · 02-16-2018, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VRZL113

Very nice^

Looks oem.

Thanks! It's a 'cough' Mustang Roush Intercooler Reservoir I fabbed the bracket for it...

-Don

ZMEnow · 02-16-2018, 03:15 PM

If your IAT's were that high at cruise then you had insufficient coolant to run the pump as it will shut off by design if there isn't enough coolant. My guess is the dealer which many dont have performance trained techs didnt know that they couldn't just fill an empty SC with out creating pressure or vacuum to eliminate any air so the fluid is vacuumed in.

CamaroSS1675 · 02-16-2018, 03:48 PM

Supercharger was replaced on my 13 back in August of 2017. Just checked the coolant. I was about a pint low. Thanks for the heads up.

hammdo · 02-16-2018, 03:50 PM

I vacuum fill mine with the snap on tool. Perfect fill each time...

-Don

RobZL1 · 02-16-2018, 04:41 PM

Good reason to have a reservoir- makes it easy to not F it up.
I also have the top readout on my Aeroforce gauge set to IAT2 all the time just to be sure nothing has gone awry.

hammdo · 02-16-2018, 05:56 PM

Monitor the IATs with mine too...

-Don

incon3037r · 02-16-2018, 08:09 PM

External tank and larger HX is definitely the best way to go.

hammdo · 02-16-2018, 08:26 PM

I actually have 3 hxs in parallel with 2 varimax pumps in series...

Flow is awesome for sure...

FYI, I’m not a ZL1, just an ADM conversion with an Stroked LSA with mostly GM ZL1, 1LE, and Z/28 parts

-Don

JB'sZL1 · 02-17-2018, 09:11 AM

That explains the lack of the strut tower brace in your pic.

hammdo · 02-17-2018, 09:32 AM

Yep, had a 1LE bar but, due to a thermal lid spacer to lessen heat soak, had to remove it:

Do a few road courses with it.

Built most of the suspension before all the Z/28 parts became available...

-Don

02-16-2018, 11:40 AM	#1
VRZL113 Drives: 2013 VR ZL1, M6 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: PA Posts: 335	Check your Intercooler Coolant Level! As the title states, check your intercooler coolant level after the dealer replaces your supercharger for the coupler failure service bulletin. My supercharger was replaced right before I purchased my car in November of 17' (found out after I did a service check), and I never thought to check it. Well, while I was out in the garage tinkering with the car last night, I decided to check it, and low and behold there was no coolant visible at the opening of the filler neck. I purchased some fresh 50/50 Dex-Cool, and started to add coolant. I followed the fill procedure which is by no means difficult (don't let the owners manual scare you), and it took a decent amount of coolant to finally level it off after running the pump a few times to get the air out. No wonder my IAT2's were in the low 120's while cruising on a 40 degree day. __________________ #3257 \| 485whp 526wtq \| K&N 63-3079 \| Gates K080660HD (Green Belt) \| ACDelco UPF48R \| ZL1 Addons Wicker Bill \| Mild2Wild

02-16-2018, 12:38 PM	#2
hammdo 'It's an experiment' Drives: [COTW 2/09/15] '11 GPI LSA SC Z/LE Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 8,696 View My Garage	Excellent post. Reason I added a bigger reservoir to my LSA conversion: -Don __________________ 747 RWHP 794 RWTQ "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races." - Enzo Ferrari See My Build: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385577

02-16-2018, 03:50 PM	#8
hammdo 'It's an experiment' Drives: [COTW 2/09/15] '11 GPI LSA SC Z/LE Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 8,696 View My Garage	I vacuum fill mine with the snap on tool. Perfect fill each time... -Don __________________ 747 RWHP 794 RWTQ "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races." - Enzo Ferrari See My Build: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385577

02-16-2018, 04:41 PM	#9
RobZL1 fo'shizZL1 Drives: 2017 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ATL Posts: 1,281	Good reason to have a reservoir- makes it easy to not F it up. I also have the top readout on my Aeroforce gauge set to IAT2 all the time just to be sure nothing has gone awry. __________________ 2017 ZL1 M6 Black \| Maggie 2650 // 103TB // Big Gulp Past Rides- 2014 ZL1 M6 Red Hot \| Tons of mods 2004 CTS-V M6 Silver \| Many mods 1995 Corvette M6 Torch Red \| A few more mods 1992 Camaro M5 White \| A few mods

02-16-2018, 05:56 PM	#10
hammdo 'It's an experiment' Drives: [COTW 2/09/15] '11 GPI LSA SC Z/LE Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 8,696 View My Garage	Monitor the IATs with mine too... -Don __________________ 747 RWHP 794 RWTQ "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races." - Enzo Ferrari See My Build: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385577

02-16-2018, 02:02 PM	#4
JB'sZL1 Drives: 2013 ZL1 and 2019 Ram Laramie Join Date: May 2017 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 1,259	Good post. I will go one further: check your coolant levels once or twice a month.

02-16-2018, 03:15 PM	#6
ZMEnow Drives: ZL1, 2013, tri-coat-red, manual Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,607	If your IAT's were that high at cruise then you had insufficient coolant to run the pump as it will shut off by design if there isn't enough coolant. My guess is the dealer which many dont have performance trained techs didnt know that they couldn't just fill an empty SC with out creating pressure or vacuum to eliminate any air so the fluid is vacuumed in.

02-16-2018, 03:48 PM	#7
CamaroSS1675 Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Clayton NJ Posts: 225	Supercharger was replaced on my 13 back in August of 2017. Just checked the coolant. I was about a pint low. Thanks for the heads up.

02-16-2018, 08:09 PM	#11
incon3037r GMHIC Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1/2008 Pontiac G8 GT Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 137	External tank and larger HX is definitely the best way to go. __________________ Pontiac G8 GT- ProCharger F-1D, Treadstone TR1235 FMIC, Kooks 1 7/8" LTH,Corsa catback, New Era (228/240) cam, Yella Terra 1.7 Rockers, GMPP LS3 CNC heads, Aeromotive A1000, FAST fuel rails, FIC 1000cc injectors - 762 RWHP/646 LBFT tuned @ 11psi on E85 using HP Tuners Camaro ZL1- Stainless Works 2" LTH, Corsa catback, RSC PDx cam, ID 1050x injectors, DSX fuel kit, New Era 4.5" intake, BTR springs/pushrods, AFCO heat exchanger, New Era expansion tank, Innovators West balancer, Metco 9.55" lower - 609 RWHP/591 LBFT tuned @ 8psi on 91 octane using HP Tuners

02-16-2018, 08:26 PM	#12
hammdo 'It's an experiment' Drives: [COTW 2/09/15] '11 GPI LSA SC Z/LE Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 8,696 View My Garage	I actually have 3 hxs in parallel with 2 varimax pumps in series... Flow is awesome for sure... FYI, I’m not a ZL1, just an ADM conversion with an Stroked LSA with mostly GM ZL1, 1LE, and Z/28 parts -Don __________________ 747 RWHP 794 RWTQ "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races." - Enzo Ferrari See My Build: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385577 Last edited by hammdo; 02-17-2018 at 09:37 AM.

02-17-2018, 09:11 AM	#13
JB'sZL1 Drives: 2013 ZL1 and 2019 Ram Laramie Join Date: May 2017 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 1,259	That explains the lack of the strut tower brace in your pic.

02-17-2018, 09:32 AM	#14
hammdo 'It's an experiment' Drives: [COTW 2/09/15] '11 GPI LSA SC Z/LE Join Date: May 2014 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 8,696 View My Garage	Yep, had a 1LE bar but, due to a thermal lid spacer to lessen heat soak, had to remove it: Do a few road courses with it. Built most of the suspension before all the Z/28 parts became available... -Don __________________ 747 RWHP 794 RWTQ "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races." - Enzo Ferrari See My Build: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385577 Last edited by hammdo; 02-17-2018 at 09:53 AM.