Low Coolant Light

[seadoons]

My low coolant light started coming on in late March. The expansion tank on the passanger side was low so I added about 1/2 gallon of the dex-cool premix. The light is coming on again and sure enough the expansion tank is lower than what I filled it up to. I filled it up with the engine cold and checked it with the engine cold. I obviously have a leak somewhere. Where should I look first? Water pump?

 

I have an extended warranty with a $200 deductible. I am compiling a list of things I want them to fix but this is obviously the biggest problem.

[OUMike]

My low coolant light started coming on in late March.  The expansion tank on the passanger side was low so I added about 1/2 gallon of the dex-cool premix.  The light is coming on again and sure enough the expansion tank is lower than what I filled it up to.  I filled it up with the engine cold and checked it with the engine cold.  I obviously have a leak somewhere.  Where should I look first?  Water pump?

 

I have an extended warranty with a $200 deductible.  I am compiling a list of things I want them to fix but this is obviously the biggest problem.

 

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First off, beautiful pickup.

 

I myself just recently solved this exact problem. Check main radiator hoses, tranny cooler lines, radiator, cap, and then water pump.

[ryan632]

check the front of the motor for wetness, and if it is a little wet its your water pump

 

and if it is i would recomend calling carquest they have one in stock with a lifetime warrenty for about 100.00 dollars

[bobcat5544]

IF YOU CANT SEE ANY VISUAL LEAKS THEN PRESSURE TEST THE RADIATOR CAP IF THAT HOLD THEN PRESSURE TEST THE COOLING SYSTEM OR PUT DYE IN IT RUN IT FOR A CUPPLE OF DAYS THEN USE A BLACK LIGHT TO SEE IF YOU CAN SEE AND THING. IF NOT TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER HAVE THEM CHECK

 

I SEE A LOT OF CLAIMS ON THESE TRUCKS FOR COOLENT LOSS AND GM HAS BEEN FINDING THAT THE RADIATOR CAP WERE IT SEAL ON THE TANK THERE MAY BE A UNEVAN SUFFACE ALLOWING COOLENT TO LEAK OUT THAT MAY NEEDED TO BE SANDED DOWN

[jhm]

IF YOU CANT SEE ANY VISUAL LEAKS THEN PRESSURE TEST THE RADIATOR CAP IF THAT HOLD THEN PRESSURE TEST THE COOLING SYSTEM OR PUT DYE IN IT RUN IT FOR A CUPPLE OF DAYS THEN USE A BLACK LIGHT TO SEE IF YOU CAN SEE AND THING. IF NOT TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER HAVE THEM CHECK

 

I SEE A LOT OF CLAIMS ON THESE TRUCKS FOR COOLENT LOSS AND GM HAS BEEN FINDING THAT THE RADIATOR CAP WERE IT SEAL ON THE TANK THERE MAY BE A UNEVAN SUFFACE ALLOWING COOLENT TO LEAK OUT THAT MAY NEEDED TO BE SANDED DOWN

 

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Do you have a spell checker? I dont know where you are seeing these trucks with bad radiator caps. As far as I know all NBS have the cap on the expansion tank, nothing on the radiator. I have a leak too, I have checked everywhere and there is no wet anywhere. I put sheet metal on my garage floor and every few days there will be a couple of drops. I am almost positive it is a bad gasket on the water pump, I also have the free extended warranty and am taking it in first chance I get.

[bobcat5544]

SORRY I WAS REFERRING TO THE CAP ON THE EXPANSION TANK AND NOT THE RADIATOR.

THE REASON I SEE A LOT OF THESE IS DUE TO I AM A EXTENDED WARRANTY CLAIM SPECIALIST ON ALL GM VEHICLES. AND HAVE WORK FOR GM AS A TECH

[RyanbabZ71]

My impala just experienced this. Gf was driving to a bridal shower calls me and says the low coolant light is on (I drive it every day no problems she drives it some light is going on haha). Well she drove it to my dads and he filled it up it was low. I checked it the day before and it was to the cold mark. Has been fine since. I dont have any noticable leaks (nothing on garage floor)

[bobcat5544]

NOW ON YOUR IMPALA CHECK AROUND THE LOW PART OF YOU INTAKE MANIFOLD ALL V6 GM ENGINES WILL AT ONE POINT START TO LEAK COOLENT IN THAT AREA...NO IF YOU HAVE THE IMPALA WITH 3.4L ENGINE CHECK YOU OIL FOR COOLENT OR WHITE SLIM UNDER OIL FILLER CAP. THIS ENGINE WILL EATHER LEAK EXTERNALY IN INTERNALLY

[mmmikkke]

Poor bobcat5544, his computer is the purroblem, he's not yelling on purpose...

 

YES I DO KNOW WHAT THE CAPS LOCK IS, BUT EVERY TIME I TYPE CAPS LOCK IT WONT SWITCH TO LOWWER CASE, IT JUST SAYS CAPS LOCK ON MY SCREEN

 

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[RyanbabZ71]

NO IF YOU HAVE THE IMPALA WITH 3.4L ENGINE CHECK YOU OIL FOR COOLENT OR WHITE SLIM UNDER OIL FILLER CAP. THIS ENGINE WILL EATHER LEAK EXTERNALY IN INTERNALLY

 

It has the 3.4 no visible leaks and nothing in the oil.

[sonoma driver]

NOW ON YOUR IMPALA CHECK AROUND THE LOW PART OF YOU INTAKE MANIFOLD ALL V6 GM ENGINES WILL AT ONE POINT START TO LEAK COOLENT IN THAT AREA...NO IF YOU HAVE THE IMPALA WITH 3.4L ENGINE CHECK YOU OIL FOR COOLENT OR WHITE SLIM UNDER OIL FILLER CAP. THIS ENGINE WILL EATHER LEAK EXTERNALY IN INTERNALLY

 

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If it does occur is there any way to stop it from still leaking in the low part of the manifold?

 

when i bought it had this and I first thought it was the thermostat gasket (didnt originally have one) but it wasnt. Any clue where its from or a sign of a costly future problem?

[Frozen001]

My father experienced this on his truck(2002 silverado)... turns out there is a small leak at a plastic Y connection in the radiator lines. Look in the engine compartment on the passengers side neat the lower front of the engine...

[jhm]

My father experienced this on his truck(2002 silverado)...  turns out there is a small leak at a plastic Y connection in the radiator lines.  Look in the engine compartment on the passengers side neat the lower front of the engine...

 

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Can you be more specific? What are the plastic y connects for? What kind of leak did he have, steady or just once in a while? Thanks

[OUMike]

NOW ON YOUR IMPALA CHECK AROUND THE LOW PART OF YOU INTAKE MANIFOLD ALL V6 GM ENGINES WILL AT ONE POINT START TO LEAK COOLENT IN THAT AREA...NO IF YOU HAVE THE IMPALA WITH 3.4L ENGINE CHECK YOU OIL FOR COOLENT OR WHITE SLIM UNDER OIL FILLER CAP. THIS ENGINE WILL EATHER LEAK EXTERNALY IN INTERNALLY

 

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Hogwash. We've owned several GM V6s (including my current pickup) and NONE count em' NONE have ever leaked from the manifold.

 

If it does occur is there any way to stop it from still leaking in the low part of the manifold?

 

Manifold Gasket?