Vanashing coolant!! - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

LimaCharlie · 05-12-2013, 03:14 PM

The coolant in my overflow tank has been going down slowly ever since I got the car in December 2010. I'm the original owner of the car. Depending on how much I drive the car, I have to add about 1/2 quart of Dexcool to the overflow tank every 5 months or so. The actual radiator level has always been OK though. I don't smell coolant under the hood and I have no leaks.
I've never had overheating issues but I'm sure I'd eventually have problems if I don't check the level regularly.

RedVictory · 05-14-2013, 07:49 AM

I dropped it off with the dealer last night. I suspect it is leaking internally since I dont see anything outside it.

I don't see any other way the whole system could go dry in less than 300 miles....

I will update with results.

Zorns · 05-14-2013, 07:50 AM

Hannibal · 05-14-2013, 08:07 AM

I had the exact same problem, complete with overheat on my SS. I went through the same steps as you have as well. Six months later, the leak got worse and it was a slight crack in the radiator. Somehow they missed this the first time I went in.

The dealer had my car for about a day and they replaced it with a new unit. Now, I don't know how true this is but I was told by the SM that the radiator they replaced was an updated model from what came from the factory.

I've had no issues since the new radiator has been put in. Not a drop of coolant has gone missing. I hope you get your issue solved quickly.

Jose · 05-14-2013, 08:50 AM

I had the same issue, mine was pressure tested as well with no leaks, bottom line, the 2 coolant lines going out the radiator cap were inverted, the one going to the overflow was at the bottom of the one feeding coolant to the radiator, what does this means? When the car get's to the normal temperature, there is more coolant going to the overflow tank (which by the way recycles it too) than back to the radiator, so it get's to a point that the overflow tank litteraly overfills, and you can't see it, but there is coolant going out of it, you can check the dipstick and it wil show OK, because the overflow tank is full, but the radiator is not. Check those two lines that are not inverted, had mine fixed and problem solved!!!

Thanks

Mouse6.2 · 05-14-2013, 12:12 PM

Hopefully they will find the source of the leak.

One suggestion, since it did get that hot, I would change the oil out ASAP. High temps like that are not a good thing. The oil did it's job plus some keeping it cool and is pretty much toast.

RedVictory · 05-14-2013, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mouse6.2

Hopefully they will find the source of the leak.

One suggestion, since it did get that hot, I would change the oil out ASAP. High temps like that are not a good thing. The oil did it's job plus some keeping it cool and is pretty much toast.

Thanks, i will mention that to my Service Advisor

Chevrolet Customer Svc · 05-14-2013, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hannibal

I had the exact same problem, complete with overheat on my SS. I went through the same steps as you have as well. Six months later, the leak got worse and it was a slight crack in the radiator. Somehow they missed this the first time I went in.

The dealer had my car for about a day and they replaced it with a new unit. Now, I don't know how true this is but I was told by the SM that the radiator they replaced was an updated model from what came from the factory.

I've had no issues since the new radiator has been put in. Not a drop of coolant has gone missing. I hope you get your issue solved quickly.

Hello Hannibal,

Glad you were able to get your vehicle serviced and your no longer having the issue.

Reggie B.
Chevrolet Customer Care

Chevrolet Customer Svc · 05-14-2013, 07:48 PM

Hello RedVictory!

Yes, please do keep us informed as to how the appointment went at the dealership. If you need our assistance at all, please let us know!

Jessica
Chevrolet Customer Care

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedVictory

I dropped it off with the dealer last night. I suspect it is leaking internally since I dont see anything outside it.

I don't see any other way the whole system could go dry in less than 300 miles....

I will update with results.

RedVictory · 05-15-2013, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevrolet Customer Svc

Hello RedVictory!

Yes, please do keep us informed as to how the appointment went at the dealership. If you need our assistance at all, please let us know!

Jessica
Chevrolet Customer Care

Thank you for your interest in this.

Unfortunately my dealership was again unable to determine what the problem is and returned my car as is yesterday. However they did add a dye to the coolant that would become visible in the exhaust system if it were burning it internally.

I am supposed to drive it as much as possible over the next few weeks and monitor the fluid level. If it decreases I bring it back and they check for traces of this dye in the exhaust system.

The whole thing is becoming pretty frustrating since the car only has 6K miles on it. I am also very nervous about them having to take the engine apart if it does prove to be an internal leak. I have never had a problem like this before so im not sure what to expect.

I will continue to provide updates

Mouse6.2 · 05-15-2013, 08:17 AM

Did they at least change the oil?

RedVictory · 05-15-2013, 09:58 AM

^^^^I mentioned that to my Service Advisor he claimed that the computer would indicate that an oil change was needed if it got hot enough. I have never heard that before.

Can anyone verify this?

Mouse6.2 · 05-15-2013, 12:34 PM

The oil life monitor takes all kinds of variables into consideration. The fact that it got that hot and oil isn't expensive, I would just change it out. Sure the OLM might not indicate to do so, but it isn't always the best guide to follow 100% of the time. GM had to recalibrate it on the GMC Acadia's and other Lamda platform vehicles because it was going to long on an oil change and causing issues, mainly timing chain wear from what I have read.

RedVictory · 05-15-2013, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mouse6.2

The oil life monitor takes all kinds of variables into consideration. The fact that it got that hot and oil isn't expensive, I would just change it out. Sure the OLM might not indicate to do so, but it isn't always the best guide to follow 100% of the time. GM had to recalibrate it on the GMC Acadia's and other Lamda platform vehicles because it was going to long on an oil change and causing issues, mainly timing chain wear from what I have read.

Interesting, I thought it only accounted for RPM's.

The oil was changed a few hundred miles ago, however I will insist that they change it when I inevitably return it to them.

05-12-2013, 03:14 PM	#15
LimaCharlie Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/RS - 2004 Silverado Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,989	The coolant in my overflow tank has been going down slowly ever since I got the car in December 2010. I'm the original owner of the car. Depending on how much I drive the car, I have to add about 1/2 quart of Dexcool to the overflow tank every 5 months or so. The actual radiator level has always been OK though. I don't smell coolant under the hood and I have no leaks. I've never had overheating issues but I'm sure I'd eventually have problems if I don't check the level regularly. __________________ 2011 Summit White Camaro 1SS/RS -6.2 LS3, TR6060, 3.45, G80 2004 Black Silverado 1500 2WD Regular Cab, Short Bed -5.3 LM7, 4L60E, 3.42, G80 2014 White Caprice PPV -6.0 L77, 6L80E, 2.92, G80

05-14-2013, 08:50 AM	#19
Jose Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS White S/C Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 842 View My Garage	I had the same issue, mine was pressure tested as well with no leaks, bottom line, the 2 coolant lines going out the radiator cap were inverted, the one going to the overflow was at the bottom of the one feeding coolant to the radiator, what does this means? When the car get's to the normal temperature, there is more coolant going to the overflow tank (which by the way recycles it too) than back to the radiator, so it get's to a point that the overflow tank litteraly overfills, and you can't see it, but there is coolant going out of it, you can check the dipstick and it wil show OK, because the overflow tank is full, but the radiator is not. Check those two lines that are not inverted, had mine fixed and problem solved!!! Thanks __________________ "It does not matter if you win or loose, what matters is if I win" Carl Fogarty

05-14-2013, 07:49 AM	#16
RedVictory Luv my LS3 Drives: Summit White 2010 2SS/RS M6 LS3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast Posts: 296	I dropped it off with the dealer last night. I suspect it is leaking internally since I dont see anything outside it. I don't see any other way the whole system could go dry in less than 300 miles.... I will update with results.

05-14-2013, 07:50 AM	#17
Zorns Drives: ? Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Virginia Posts: 137

05-14-2013, 08:07 AM	#18
Hannibal Drives: Camaro SS & ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Southeast USA Posts: 527	I had the exact same problem, complete with overheat on my SS. I went through the same steps as you have as well. Six months later, the leak got worse and it was a slight crack in the radiator. Somehow they missed this the first time I went in. The dealer had my car for about a day and they replaced it with a new unit. Now, I don't know how true this is but I was told by the SM that the radiator they replaced was an updated model from what came from the factory. I've had no issues since the new radiator has been put in. Not a drop of coolant has gone missing. I hope you get your issue solved quickly.

05-14-2013, 12:12 PM	#20
Mouse6.2 Drives: 2013 2SS/RS M6 NPP Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 340	Hopefully they will find the source of the leak. One suggestion, since it did get that hot, I would change the oil out ASAP. High temps like that are not a good thing. The oil did it's job plus some keeping it cool and is pretty much toast.

05-15-2013, 08:17 AM	#25
Mouse6.2 Drives: 2013 2SS/RS M6 NPP Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 340	Did they at least change the oil?

05-15-2013, 09:58 AM	#26
RedVictory Luv my LS3 Drives: Summit White 2010 2SS/RS M6 LS3 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast Posts: 296	^^^^I mentioned that to my Service Advisor he claimed that the computer would indicate that an oil change was needed if it got hot enough. I have never heard that before. Can anyone verify this?

05-15-2013, 12:34 PM	#27
Mouse6.2 Drives: 2013 2SS/RS M6 NPP Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 340	The oil life monitor takes all kinds of variables into consideration. The fact that it got that hot and oil isn't expensive, I would just change it out. Sure the OLM might not indicate to do so, but it isn't always the best guide to follow 100% of the time. GM had to recalibrate it on the GMC Acadia's and other Lamda platform vehicles because it was going to long on an oil change and causing issues, mainly timing chain wear from what I have read.