Yet another coolant issue

bizcut88 · 03-06-2009, 12:14 PM

03 GT 90K

Last year I replaced the coolant elbows and then a couple months ago it was the UIM. Today I was driving and noticed when I stopped at a light the engine was getting hotter. It would go back to normal while driving. Exact same symptom that it was doing before I replaced UIM.

When I got home I left it running and popped the hood and could smell coolant. Had a look around and it looks like it could be two potential problems.

It looks like the lower hose going into the rad was leaking but I also noticed the area around the coolant elbows that were replaced could also have been leaking. Didn't see a leak anywhere so I don't know for sure. I also noticed the reserve was below the hot line and it was bubbling a little. (Topped it off 2 weeks ago)

No coolant leaks on the driveway so it was either leaking while I drive or the coolant is going somewhere in the engine.

I'm going to top off the reserve when it cools down and see if any coolant stains show up under the front bumper but I guess after that I should do is get it pressure tested?

Based on this cars history I'm betting it's the LIM.

Thanks for any advice.

Another disgruntled GM owner.

richtazz · 03-06-2009, 03:53 PM

Check the water pump. When they start to leak, the pulley will fling coolant all over that end of the engine.

tblake · 03-07-2009, 12:46 AM

My LIM is leaking slightly. The coolant pools up on top of the engine by the fuel injectors, then drips down near the coolant elbows. Maybe your gaskets blew again. What brand gaskets and what torque specs did you use?

bizcut88 · 03-10-2009, 01:37 PM

So I topped up the rad and reserve and it's been fine for a couple days. No more smelling coolant and no leak but the car still get's a little hot when idling. I'm going to keep an eye on it over the next week to see if the coolant levels go down. I threw a piece of cardboard under the front end to catch even the smallest of leaks.

I just need to take a long highway trip because that's when it started doing it last week.

Tblake; I had the UIM repaired at a local chevy dealership, The LIM is still the original.

Rich; will keep the WP in mind.

Thanks for the input guys.

saturntech · 03-10-2009, 02:05 PM

Sounds like your thermostat might be sticking

bizcut88 · 03-10-2009, 03:43 PM

Replaced thermostat a couple weeks ago.

BNaylor · 03-10-2009, 06:32 PM

It doesn't help to not attend to or fix any coolant leaks. It is a pressurized cooling system.

To clarify please explain hot. What is your temperature gauge at the IP reading? In celsius or fahrenheit since you are in Canada. Are your cooling fans turning on? Note: Both cooling fans should turn on in low speed at around 220 degrees F and in high speed at 230 degrees F engine coolant temperature. And if it is above 45 degrees F what does it do with the air conditioner (A/C) on?

tblake · 03-10-2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bizcut88

Tblake; I had the UIM repaired at a local chevy dealership, The LIM is still the original.

Rich; will keep the WP in mind.

Thanks for the input guys.

Uh Oh. looks like LIM gasket time. did you have a look under your engine cover around your injectors?

jrmy1krn · 03-12-2009, 05:24 PM

Tblake, Nice workbench... err I mean lawn.

tblake · 03-13-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrmy1krn

Tblake, Nice workbench... err I mean lawn.

Thanks! Man was that a mess. Frined of mine blew her LIM gasket 2 days before she had to use her car for vacation. I got home from work at about 4, and worked from about 4pm-8pm, and 9am to 11am, but had it ready to go for her for the trip. Still running good! Only thing I wish I would have done was when I brought it home the SES light was on. I wish I would have scanned it out before I tore it down becuase then I would have known the Cam Position sensor was bad and could have replaced it for her. The LIM gasket was spewing coolant all over it, and I'm sure messed it up. When I got it all back together and running, I scanned the SES light and the code came up for a cam position sensor. I was like.... IDIOT! That would have been a 5 minute swap with the LIM off.

bizcut88 · 03-13-2009, 02:01 PM

In three years the car never got hotter then 85c(185F). Now when the car idles it gets as hot as 97c(206F). Might not seem high be when its been so stable at 185 for years it seem odd that now it will start to run hotter.

Over the past week it has lost no coolant. I popped the hood a couple times and have yet to get the smell of coolant again. The rad fans are turning on and working properly but they came on at about 200F?

The AC seems to be working but it's still freezing outside so I can't be 100% sure.

Will check out the injectors this weekend. Am I just looking for coolant in the area?

Thanks for the help guys.

tblake · 03-13-2009, 04:22 PM

if its got the stock t-stat, then 185 is too cold. 200 at idel sounds normal to me. Maybe your t-stat needs replacement. You could start there. Its a cheap part and easy procedure.

BNaylor · 03-13-2009, 07:28 PM

How long will it stay at 200 degrees at idle? If I had a stock 195 degree thermostat regulating at 185 I'd be happy. Temperature creep up during the winter months could be normal since the A/C is not operated to help to control proper cooling fan turn on.

Some other questions. When was the last cooling system service - flush? Do you still have the original Dex-cool? Any sludge on the back of the radiator cap or in the filler neck. Normally when the LIM gaskets start going bad you may sludge from combustion byproducts and it is accompanied with an increase of engine coolant temperature. Normally higher than where you used to see it operate.

bizcut88 · 03-16-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BNaylor

How long will it stay at 200 degrees at idle? If I had a stock 195 degree thermostat regulating at 185 I'd be happy. Temperature creep up during the winter months could be normal since the A/C is not operated to help to control proper cooling fan turn on.

Some other questions. When was the last cooling system service - flush? Do you still have the original Dex-cool? Any sludge on the back of the radiator cap or in the filler neck. Normally when the LIM gaskets start going bad you may sludge from combustion byproducts and it is accompanied with an increase of engine coolant temperature. Normally higher than where you used to see it operate.

Checked under the cover and injector area looks fine. I replaced the tstat a couple weeks ago when I first starting seeing symptoms. Figured it was the cheapest possible fix.

Coolant was flushed about a year ago, dex cool stuff. Rad cap and neck looked fine. When it's idling and hits 200+ it will start to go down soon after the fans kicks. The numbers don't seem bad but the engine temp increase at idle for no reason bothers me.

I'm still thinking it's the LIM. I guess I'll bring it to the shop to confirm.

GM lost a lawsuit here in canada in regards to the intake and claims need to be submitted within the next 2 weeks. If they didn't have this claim I would probably just hold off and see if it gets worse.

Here's the link.
http://www.gmcanadiansettlement.ca/english/eng_home.htm

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