Coolant Light

[gapboi210]

My coolant light has come on twice in the past two weeks. It comes on for just a second and then goes off. And yes, I checked the coolant level it is fine. Do you know what it could be?

[BeatnikTermite]

Sorry to hear this...but welcome to the club. I'd be willing to bet that if you added a pint of coolant/water, that the light would not come on for a month. Your intake gasket has begun to go. Look forward to adding a pint a month until it blows completly. I would also make sure you change your oil frequently, since that is where the coolant is going.

This is a VERY common problem with this enging across all GM models. Not much you can do except have the intake gasket replaced for around $600.

[gapboi210]

Oh well, It's under warranty. The water level, however was fine, I dunno why it was coming on. I wnt camping and drove the car up the camp site which was very rough terrain. The car was parked at a very steep angle, I wander if that had anything to do with it. Thats when it first came on.

Also, If I had coolant going in the oil, wouldn't there be white foamy substance visable?

[johnholl]

could be a stuck level sensor, but I'd go with beatnicks advice. Keep an eye on the oil, like he said. I to was a member of the blown gasket club.

[johnholl]

Oh, yeah... BTW..If you can pull it off, tell the dealership you wish to trade in the car while there's still time [make no mention of the gasket problem]. and make sure your next car doesn't have the 3.1L engine.

[gapboi210]

My next car is going to be another Japanese car.

Thanks for the tips, I will keep an eye on the oil.

[psychobadboy]

I had the same situation where the coolant light would come on everyone once in a while. Turned out that it was a bad sensor. You could be having the same problem.

Originally Posted by gapboi210

My next car is going to be another Japanese car.

Good call, btw.

[gapboi210]

I think it was the sensor. The coolant didn't seem low, then again Chevy made that wonderful tank where u can't really see what the level is inside and have no idea if it is near the line. There is no coolant in oil. The coolant that was in the tank looked a little stagnant. I took the hose and flushed it out and filled it up. I figured if there was too much it would vent the rest out. No more light!

[johnholl]

Yes, reading the level in the recovery tank can be a pain. What I do is stick a ruler inside and record the "wet reading" to determine any abnormal fluctuation [engine cold]. Remember 50\50 Dexcool only. Check at least weekly. Good luck.