Help! losing coolant

[new vette guy]

I just got a 95 vette that my parents had. My father passed away and the car was left to me and when i was checking it over the other day i noticed the coolant level was low. I filled the radiator up and drove the car easy for about 10 miles and the low coolant light came on. I filled the radiator up again and did not notice anything leaking, but the exhaust smelt funny. Could the head gasket be bad and the coolant leaking into the head.

 

[vetteoz]

the exhaust smelt funny.
Could the head gasket be bad and the coolant leaking into the head.

Highly likely if you have the smell , you may also observe excess water out the exh pipes when 1st started cold .
There are pressure tests that can be done to determine if you have a internal coolant leak

I filled the radiator up and the low coolant light came on.

The LT1 requires a special method of replacing the coolant because of the reverse flow; you can't just pour it in like on old skool cars
If you don't bleed the system properly and leave air in ,it can trigger the low coolant light

Read
4th Gen LT1 F-body Tech Articles
Done on a Camaro LT1 but same applies to Vette LT1's

 

[bill81vette]

Welcome to CAC!!!
enjoy!!

 

[Hib Halverson]

A leak between the cooling system and a combustion chamber will work both ways.

When pressure in the cylinder is above cooling system pressure, you'll have exhaust getting into the coolant. When the radiator cap is off you may see bubbles and smell exhaust.

When pressure in the cooling system is above cylinder pressure, coolant will leak into the chamber, be vaporized during the power stroke and be expelled into the exhaust, which you may see as vapor and smell as coolant.

A compression test will likely find the bad cylinder(s).

If you have a bad head gasket, don't wait too long before repairing the engine.

 

[Hib Halverson]

A leak between the cooling system and a combustion chamber will work both ways.

When pressure in the cylinder is above cooling system pressure, you'll have exhaust getting into the coolant. When the radiator cap is off you may see bubbles and smell exhaust.

When pressure in the cooling system is above cylinder pressure, coolant will leak into the chamber, be vaporized during the power stroke and be expelled into the exhaust, which you may see as vapor and smell as coolant.

A compression test will likely find the bad cylinder(s).

If you have a bad head gasket, don't wait too long before repairing the engine.

 

[Tuna]

By all means get a pressure check on it as it is could be a head gasket problem allowing the coolant into the cylinders and/or oil pan. Check the oil level. Check the exhaust to see if coolant is coming out after it is warmed up.

If coolant is getting into the oil system, it will not be long before something blows up. (been there, done that with a '96)

 

[WhalePirot]

Some of the large auto parts chains will 'rent' (free) a leakdown and compression test kit. the procedure is not rocket science but requires some mechanical knowledge.

Coolant in the oil may be indicated by a chocolate shake appearance on the dipstick. Aside from the damage possible from poor lubrication, is the steam cleaning effect of the coolant vapor on the cylinder(s) and ring(s), so this is rather urgent.

Hopefully, the OZ man nailed it and the car merely needs a proper refill.

Equally important ----> Wave to other Vette drivers!