Loosing Coolant

tbarn · January 13, 2016

antifreeze smell in cab...2014 silverado z71 4wd reg cab std bed...in shop today getting leaking heater core fixed..complete dash is out of truck..intake is off...quite a job...evidently been a problem for many...just hope it all goes back together without squeaking and rattling...im gonna have them check this radiator issue as well.

And it pays great too. NOT!

abager2 · January 13, 2016

And it pays great too. NOT!

from what ive seen it is a tough job...but if the service tech does a great job, i will tip him on the side..

treefort · February 5, 2016

Thanks guys. Fireaxxe for sharing the tsb with the attached image helping me find the leak on the passengers side of the rad. I am just about up on warranty so this is great.

I had noticed a couple drops of red fluid on the ground a couple weeks ago and took it into the dealership. They didn't find anything and charged me $65 for looking at it. I asked her if I found the leak, would I be reimbursed. She said yes, so I'm going to make sure.

Today, I smelled rad fluid when walking around the front of the truck. I then researched when I got home and low and behold this handy thread. Stoked! Sucks how many times I've had to bring my truck into the dealership to get things fixed, but I really love my truck. Nicest truck I've ever been in for sure, and I work in the oil patch so see new trucks all the time.

I have a broken tab on my drivers side as well.

Thanks again. This forum rocks! (Am very happy right now)

14silverado4.3 · February 5, 2016

Radiator getting replaced this week, smelled rad fluid when walking around the front of the truck

14silverado4.3 · February 11, 2016

Replaced under warranty but was told that I fractured the welds running in 13 inches of snow powder.

WLC · February 11, 2016

Took mine in to look at several things including the clamps that hold the radiator together. They said pressure test was fine and found no broke clamps(concern not duplicated at this time).They must have looked at the hose clamps! Just wanted it docemented on paper at this visit.

GM trucks · February 26, 2016

I had the same issue with coolant smell from the front of my 2014 and could not find a leak. I just dropped my truck off at the dealer .They can't find the exact spot of the leak, but found fluid laying in the front bumper. They are replacing the radiator and thermostat.

ejdziurka · April 11, 2016

I have about 20,000 miles on my '14 and I too noticed this weekend that my coolant level was below the cold fill line. Also, checked that clamps and the driver's side was cracked. Is this enough for GM to replace? Does anyone have the text from PI1513 that was mentioned? Scheduled the appointment to have it looked at this Thursday, hopefully the "qualified GM tech" will be able to locate an issue and repair it. I'm guessing it'll be in at least once more time for a repair if needed.

Edited April 11, 2016 by ejdziurka

fondupot · April 13, 2016

There is a TSB on radiator leaks. Has something to do with the thermostat cycling too much and causing stress fractures in the rad.

I just had my radiator and thermostat replaced under warranty. 35k miles on my Sierra.

ejdziurka · April 14, 2016

Just got called back from the dealer. Coolant levels are fine, truck was only there an hour. I'm sure they just filled it up. Guess i'll keep an eye on it.

JimCost2014 · April 15, 2016

ejdziurka, the coolant level in my 2014 is at almost the exact same spot. one thing that I have noticed is the level in the overflow tank never moves, whether the truck is hot or cold. you can squeeze the top radiator hose when it is cold and make the coolant move in the tank, but when the engine is hot, the hose is very solid, no give at all.

levismiths · February 5, 2017

I have been smelling coolant since I bought the truck with 40,000 miles in Nov 2016. I found this thread and just went and saw I have this same issue. Guess ill be visiting my dealer tomorrow. Hope they don't give me any bs.

beetle · February 5, 2017

ejdziurka, on 11 Apr 2016 - 2:33 PM, said:

I have about 20,000 miles on my '14 and I too noticed this weekend that my coolant level was below the cold fill line. Also, checked that clamps and the driver's side was cracked. Is this enough for GM to replace? Does anyone have the text from PI1513 that was mentioned? Scheduled the appointment to have it looked at this Thursday, hopefully the "qualified GM tech" will be able to locate an issue and repair it. I'm guessing it'll be in at least once more time for a repair if needed.

Edited February 5, 2017 by beetle

levismiths · February 6, 2017

Don't have the text for the tsb but just heard back from my dealer. Radiator and thermostat are both being replaced under powertrain warranty. i just mentioned the tsb and they looked it up.

cbxeric · April 29, 2017

2014 SLE double cab V6, I notice my coolant was low in the header tank, since I'm beyond the bumper to bumper warranty, I went to the dealership to grab a jug of coolant to top it up. The parts dept steered me to the service department who informed me that the V6 trucks are now included in the extended warranty. they were very helpful and it took about 10 min of searching to find the leak (top corner of rad passenger side front). I didn't really notice anything other than the odd puff of steam in the winter time. I thought it was snow stuck in the radiator. If your coolant header tank level is low, there's a very good chance that the rad is leaking. Another clue for me was I noticed the coolant temperature gauge had been reading hotter than usual.

Cheers.