steam from grille area

[rick08]

I have a '15 Sierra with approx 30,000 klm's. I have twice noticed what looks like steam coming from the front of the hood and grille area. Nothing feels hot, nothing leaking and engine temp stays normal. Has anyone one else noticed this?

Also had the headlights done with the bulb replacement in March 2015 and have already replaced the two headlight bulbs due to them blowing out. Anyone else had this problem.

Thanks

[davevinc1080]

My truck has done the exact same thing a few times in the winter/fall when it is cold out. 2015 Silvrado 5.3L. No issues with coolant being low...but strange indeed.

 

**I had a buddy who had a small crack somewhere in his radiator on a 2014 GMC sierra, whole rad had to be replaced.

[txab]

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=search&fromMainBar=1

[PMattras]

I had this problem on my 2014 Chevy Silverado and they had to replace the radiator and the cost if it wasn't under warranty would be about $1,000 using OEM parts. There is a service bulletin on it because of corrosion issues. No recall yet.

Edited September 4, 2016 by PMattras

[Liquorice]

Rick,

 

I had the headlight bulbs replaced in my 2014 around March 2015. Both blew in less than 6 months.

I replaced them myself and have had no issues since. And it's a year since I did it.

I put it down to too much handling of the bulb by the mechanic. But it's still $90 CDN

 

sam :-)

[GsBowtie]

My brother's 14 had this around 40k and needed a new radiator. If under warranty take it to the dealer. It should not do that

[seamus2154]

Had the same thing and it was the radiator. It was a known issue to the dealer. I could not find a leak but was a little low for months. I did smell it. They found that it seeps out a crack on the side near tanks, it is a stress crack. Apparently the fix is to replace the radiator and thermostat as the old thermostat cycles too much causing the crack?? Flush, radiator, and thermostat----warranty!

[royalkangaroo]

My 2015 GMC did this from day 1 when I purchased it in the winter. Noticed it on wet/cold days. Dealership service manager was unaware of the issue. Hasn't done it all summer so we'll see once it gets cold.

 

There's no visible leaks, cracks, etc for mine. I think it's due to the wide open grille style of the trucks, but it's rather annoying. I was on the highway in the sleet/snow getting road mist from behind a dump truck and when I exited and stopped it looked like my truck was overheating.

Edited September 6, 2016 by royalkangaroo

[PMattras]

Here is another website on the radiator issues.

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/154997-antifreeze-smell-in-cab/page-6

 

http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=5128

Edited September 6, 2016 by PMattras

[thewhitestallion]

While these trucks have had a radiator problem, I believe all you are seeing is the cold water hitting the hot radiator, trans cooler and condenser. It is nothing to worry about, my truck does it along with every other car I have ever driven in my life. Even if it is warm outside if I drive in the rain and then stop at a light where it is it not raining I can see steam coming from the front of my truck. It is not a big deal and would not worry about it unless you smell coolant and / or see a loss of coolant.

[glcbn]

While these trucks have had a radiator problem, I believe all you are seeing is the cold water hitting the hot radiator, trans cooler and condenser. It is nothing to worry about, my truck does it along with every other car I have ever driven in my life. Even if it is warm outside if I drive in the rain and then stop at a light where it is it not raining I can see steam coming from the front of my truck. It is not a big deal and would not worry about it unless you smell coolant and / or see a loss of coolant.

 

As whitestallion posted don't confuse "normal operation" concerning this, with some sort of leak. If there isn't a coolant smell don't worry about it. I asked this same question back in 2014, and pretty much got the same reply as whitestallion's. My truck has done this from day one when it's warm temp, damp and rainy, and cold temp and precipitating. I've actually got out and smelled it. Nothing but water vapor.

[jamesonjc]

While these trucks have had a radiator problem, I believe all you are seeing is the cold water hitting the hot radiator, trans cooler and condenser. It is nothing to worry about, my truck does it along with every other car I have ever driven in my life. Even if it is warm outside if I drive in the rain and then stop at a light where it is it not raining I can see steam coming from the front of my truck. It is not a big deal and would not worry about it unless you smell coolant and / or see a loss of coolant.

 

Exactly. Does it on my 16 anytime it is raining our or snow etc. It is getting splashed on something that steams it away. Not a worry for me.

[shaddow1987]

I know this is an older topic however I just had my radiator replaced because of the steam issue. They also replaced the thermostat. GM knows this is a problem. During the replacement of the radiator the tech noticed severe corrosion of the A/C condenser also. If your trucks are under warranty I would suggest getting these things looked at. My truck is a 2015 High Country. My Son also has a 2015 Silverado and had the same issues with his. My Son has a friend that is a GM tech that stated the have replaced many radiator / thermostat and A/C condensers. in our case you have to remove the top shroud and look in the top corners the see the leaks and corrosion. I have noticed the steam for quite some time and thought it was just moisture / condensation but when i saw the steam on a very dry morning I thought I better have it checked. I also noticed it during car wash / rain / snow.

Edited July 2, 2019 by shaddow1987

[mferry22]

I have a 2017 Sierra that for the past month I can smell coolant every time I walk by the front of my truck. I'm not low on coolant, can't see any leaks and haven't ever noticed steam. I know my dealership will just say its normal as they have with almost every issue I've had. Do the bad radiators and thermostats extend to 17s?

[Ryan_Bonzo]

On 7/1/2019 at 10:52 PM, shaddow1987 said:

I know this is an older topic however I just had my radiator replaced because of the steam issue. They also replaced the thermostat. GM knows this is a problem. During the replacement of the radiator the tech noticed severe corrosion of the A/C condenser also. If your trucks are under warranty I would suggest getting these things looked at. My truck is a 2015 High Country. My Son also has a 2015 Silverado and had the same issues with his. My Son has a friend that is a GM tech that stated the have replaced many radiator / thermostat and A/C condensers. in our case you have to remove the top shroud and look in the top corners the see the leaks and corrosion. I have noticed the steam for quite some time and thought it was just moisture / condensation but when i saw the steam on a very dry morning I thought I better have it checked. I also noticed it during car wash / rain / snow.

Was this a power train warranty??