Low Coolant Light
Low Coolant Light I have a 95 LT1 T/A. Yesterday the low coolant level light came on and when i popped the hood to check the coolant steam was evaporating from the filler tube, so obviously my coolant was boiling. My thermostat never went over 190 so i know it wasn't overheating, unless my thermostat is bad.. what might cause this to happen? I have been planning on flushing my radiatior just havent gotten around to it yet; could that solve my problem? any input is greatly appreciated. thanks.
ryan
ryan
no the radiator cap is ok, it was boiling out from the overflow tube. it was boiling bc the coolant level was so low. now i just need to figure out why it was low... or in other words where that fluid leaked out.
If the fluid is truely "boiling" at 190 degrees, then you have lost pressure in the system - probably a bad radiator cap (seal) if that's the case.
Here's a thread with a similar issue (the problem was the cap) with a lot of good discussion - but it was still the cap. https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...-radiator.html
When you get a new cap, I'd recommend getting one from the dealer instead of the auto parts store. If the '95 is like the '98-'02, then the GM cap has a special feature on it that protects your radiator from vacuum build up when the fluid cools down.
Here's a thread with a similar issue (the problem was the cap) with a lot of good discussion - but it was still the cap. https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...-radiator.html
When you get a new cap, I'd recommend getting one from the dealer instead of the auto parts store. If the '95 is like the '98-'02, then the GM cap has a special feature on it that protects your radiator from vacuum build up when the fluid cools down.
Yeah if its actually low you have a leak fill it back up and bleed the system. you have a bleed screw on the top line thats gold have the heat running too so it can HC flow through. If you dont see a leak on the ground anywhere check the passengers side floor for wetness. Oh and if im not mistaken then the stat should fail to the open position.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Tulsa, OK
Which is exactly what points to a bad cap. The level was low because it had mostly already boiled out on the ground. It was boiling because the system couldn't maintain pressure. What you saw on the gauge may have been on the downswing due to the low level.
ahhhh gotcha. makes sense now. i bled the system and filled it up, next im gonna buy a new cap and see if that fixes the problem. thanks for the input, much appreciated.
in addition buy a coolant tester for $1.99 and check the freeze/boil point of your mixture. If it's been topped off with water repeatedly over time, you'll have mostly water which further reduces the boiling point and adds to the problem.
and if/when you do service the cooling system and fill it up with water to do a flush, be aware that you'll most likely not drain 100% of that water out so when you fill the system with antifreeze if you've premixed it at 50/50 what will really be in the system is less than that, you'll need to judge how much water you've drained out
and if/when you do service the cooling system and fill it up with water to do a flush, be aware that you'll most likely not drain 100% of that water out so when you fill the system with antifreeze if you've premixed it at 50/50 what will really be in the system is less than that, you'll need to judge how much water you've drained out
after i filled the radiator back up with coolant i drove it around for about 25 min to see if the level went down again any. i parked it and noticed there was a pretty big leak coming from the car... followed the trail and there is a pin ***** size hole on the top of the top hose off of the water pump. this is why i'm losing fluid and also indirectly why it was boiling out of the overflow tube. i'm going to replace the hose and hope there aren't any other issues such as the cap etc. thanks to everybody for their help
