Is my coolant low? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Alfdawg · 01-12-2021, 10:03 AM

I've been storing my car since the end of the November. I decided to go check my coolant and it seems low. Its not full to the top like it usually is. Is my coolant low? And if it is, is it low enough to cause problems like freezing?

Warship2k15 · 01-12-2021, 11:05 AM

The coolant level looks low.The level shouldn’t have any affect on it freezing.
I would test the collect to see how low it’s good for.They have a gauge you can buy at autozone etc.that should give you a reading on how low of a temp your antifreeze is good till.

saluki · 01-12-2021, 11:41 AM

Top it off. It isn't overly low as it is still above the fins.

Aqua Blue RS/SS · 01-12-2021, 01:25 PM

Level doesn’t effect freezing, the water to antifreeze ratio is what effects freezing. Significantly low coolant will cause overheating not freezing.

1JEWLDSSRS · 01-12-2021, 02:13 PM

^^^^ this, top it off, it's just a tad low..Probably just from sitting so long and it not being up to temp and expanded.

ABM2SS · 01-12-2021, 02:35 PM

You should check the level with the dipstick in the surge tank. The radiator will push-out fluid when it's hot and suck it back in as it cools.

Alfdawg · 01-12-2021, 02:41 PM

Thank you guys soooo much because I was panicking. If I top ot off when it expands will it overflow?

Alfdawg · 01-12-2021, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABM2SS

You should check the level with the dipstick in the surge tank. The radiator will push-out fluid when it's hot and suck it back in as it cools.

For some reason the overflow tank has a clear liquid on the dipstick. Its been that way since I had the car. So I don't bother checking it. Does anyone know why the fluid is clear in the overflow tank and not the same color as the raditor fluid?

1JEWLDSSRS · 01-12-2021, 02:45 PM

Yep, into the coolant over flow tank. The tank also has a dip stick and proper level markings on it to maintain. If it is a tad over the mark, it's ok, a tad low, put some in..

gtstorey · 01-12-2021, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfdawg

For some reason the overflow tank has a clear liquid on the dipstick. Its been that way since I had the car. So I don't bother checking it. Does anyone know why the fluid is clear in the overflow tank and not the same color as the raditor fluid?

Make sure that the hose connecting the overflow tank to the radiator is in good shape, otherwise it won't transfer back and forth between the two. If it's actually just water in it then it might be cracked and someone added water to the overflow and it didn't pull into the radiator. I would definitely check the freezing point of the fluid or replace it. Around here I can get by with putting a sample in the freezer and check it, but you may far enough north that it might get colder than that and will need a tester.

EMB135Driver · 01-12-2021, 06:44 PM

Use a clean rag and wipe off the dipstick in the overflow tank....it’s the same color as the coolant......

pyroguy · 01-13-2021, 06:49 AM

It’s alright as long as you didn’t start your car and then immediately shut it off. That would total the thing right out. New engine, trans, and rear end would be required.

I’m guessing this is your first year storing and possibly owning your Camaro. She’s going to be fine. Let her rest. In the spring check the fluid levels by the supplied dip sticks (as others said check via reservoir not radiator for this fluid). The first winter is the most nerve racking. After that you just go to the garage and sulk at your baby not being able to come out and play.

01-12-2021, 10:03 AM	#1
Alfdawg Drives: 2014 camaro ss Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Southfield Michigan Posts: 126	Is my coolant low? I've been storing my car since the end of the November. I decided to go check my coolant and it seems low. Its not full to the top like it usually is. Is my coolant low? And if it is, is it low enough to cause problems like freezing? Attached Images

01-12-2021, 11:41 AM	#3
saluki Drives: 2017 Silverado Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Muncie Posts: 217	Top it off. It isn't overly low as it is still above the fins. __________________ '14 2SS A6, CAI, 2" TSP Headers and tune: SOLD '13 SS @ Burkhart Chassis

01-12-2021, 01:25 PM	#4
Aqua Blue RS/SS Drives: ABM #93 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Lotaburger Posts: 2,693	Level doesn’t effect freezing, the water to antifreeze ratio is what effects freezing. Significantly low coolant will cause overheating not freezing. __________________ ABM #2399 2SS/RS:SOLD ABM #93 2SS/RS Black Rally stripes, Titanium Interior 4,000 miles: GM GFX side skirts and diffuser waiting on paint, GM dovetail, GM heritage, RPI ZL1 style splitter. ‘87 IROC-Z Iroc blue. all original unmolested with 50K miles.

01-12-2021, 02:13 PM	#5
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,435	^^^^ this, top it off, it's just a tad low..Probably just from sitting so long and it not being up to temp and expanded. __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

01-12-2021, 02:45 PM	#9
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,435	Yep, into the coolant over flow tank. The tank also has a dip stick and proper level markings on it to maintain. If it is a tad over the mark, it's ok, a tad low, put some in.. __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

01-12-2021, 11:05 AM	#2
Warship2k15 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: May 2016 Location: Kissimmee Posts: 158	The coolant level looks low.The level shouldn’t have any affect on it freezing. I would test the collect to see how low it’s good for.They have a gauge you can buy at autozone etc.that should give you a reading on how low of a temp your antifreeze is good till.

01-12-2021, 02:35 PM	#6
ABM2SS Drives: 2010 SS M6 ABM Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Nashville, IN Posts: 270	You should check the level with the dipstick in the surge tank. The radiator will push-out fluid when it's hot and suck it back in as it cools.

01-12-2021, 02:41 PM	#7
Alfdawg Drives: 2014 camaro ss Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Southfield Michigan Posts: 126	Thank you guys soooo much because I was panicking. If I top ot off when it expands will it overflow?

01-12-2021, 06:44 PM	#11
EMB135Driver Jedi Master Drives: Boeing 757/767+2010 IBM 2SS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bangor, ME and Palm Coast, FL Posts: 1,121	Use a clean rag and wipe off the dipstick in the overflow tank....it’s the same color as the coolant...... __________________

01-13-2021, 06:49 AM	#12
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #831 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 6,918 View My Garage	It’s alright as long as you didn’t start your car and then immediately shut it off. That would total the thing right out. New engine, trans, and rear end would be required. I’m guessing this is your first year storing and possibly owning your Camaro. She’s going to be fine. Let her rest. In the spring check the fluid levels by the supplied dip sticks (as others said check via reservoir not radiator for this fluid). The first winter is the most nerve racking. After that you just go to the garage and sulk at your baby not being able to come out and play. __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #831 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread