Help! Low Coolant warning on DIC

[XLR8]

I got a low coolant warning on the DIC Friday while on a roadtrip to Jackson. The warning came up on first starting after the 155 mile drive, but as I was parked in an angled parking space on a hillside, the engine temp stayed within the normal operating range, and I didn't get a second warning again during the trip home I wasn't too concerned.

Then yesterday it happened again about 2 miles into a drive. I went to Auto Zone and picked up a gallon of Prestone Dex Cool 50/50 and stuck it in the trunk because the reservior was showing Cool Full but the engine was already warmed to operating temp. I drove to my destination and parked for about 4 hours then I filled the reservior to Cool Full before I cranked it to proceed to my next stop.

After sitting for about 30 minutes, I cranked and got the warning again. I drove a half mile to my final stop and let it sit for about 3 hours. I got my brother-in-law to help and we discovered the reservior was low again. I filled it to the Cool Full mark and drove home... again the operating temp stayed within the normal range.

We checked for signs of leaking at the hoses and the water pump, but we couldn't see any moisture nor puddles underneath.

So I'm wondering, have I got a leak, or is the warning telling me it isn't so much about LEVEL as much as water pump malfunction?

Regardless, it's parked until I can take it to Kevin tomorrow, but I'm curious and just trying to learn about the logic behind the warning.

...And I'm asking is it safe for me to drive it one more time to Kevin's shop or have I been incredibly lucky and I'd better have it towed?

Thanks in advance.
Jane Ann

 

[Hib Halverson]

If the engine is using coolant and you have no evidence of a coolant leak to the outside the there's a good chance the engine has failed or is failing a head gasket.

How many miles on this engine and has it ever been overheated to the point of boil over?

 

[XLR8]

Update:

115,870 miles

I just checked for leaks in the bright sunlight and I see evidence of moisture beneath the reservoir itself, along with signs of "runs" down the frame rail on which it sits. Still no signs of leaks around any hoses, clamps, or water pump. BTW, I was careful NOT to spill during addition of the coolant so I'm fairly certain I'm not seeing a mess I made while pouring.

I also checked the level and it's dropped between the words "Full" and "Cool". When I turned on the key to check for any codes, I received the Low Coolant message again.

 

[LLC5]

I got a low coolant warning on the DIC Friday while on a roadtrip to Jackson. The warning came up on first starting after the 155 mile drive, but as I was parked in an angled parking space on a hillside, the engine temp stayed within the normal operating range, and I didn't get a second warning again during the trip home I wasn't too concerned.

Then yesterday it happened again about 2 miles into a drive. I went to Auto Zone and picked up a gallon of Prestone Dex Cool 50/50 and stuck it in the trunk because the reservior was showing Cool Full but the engine was already warmed to operating temp. I drove to my destination and parked for about 4 hours then I filled the reservior to Cool Full before I cranked it to proceed to my next stop.

After sitting for about 30 minutes, I cranked and got the warning again. I drove a half mile to my final stop and let it sit for about 3 hours. I got my brother-in-law to help and we discovered the reservior was low again. I filled it to the Cool Full mark and drove home... again the operating temp stayed within the normal range.

We checked for signs of leaking at the hoses and the water pump, but we couldn't see any moisture nor puddles underneath.

So I'm wondering, have I got a leak, or is the warning telling me it isn't so much about LEVEL as much as water pump malfunction?

Regardless, it's parked until I can take it to Kevin tomorrow, but I'm curious and just trying to learn about the logic behind the warning.

...And I'm asking is it safe for me to drive it one more time to Kevin's shop or have I been incredibly lucky and I'd better have it towed?

Thanks in advance.
Jane Ann

It sounds like you should be ok driving it as long as you are watching your DIC/temp gauge. There is a sensor in the surge tank that warns you that the coolant level is low in the tank, not necesarily in the radiator, so you should be able to drive for a distance before any problems occur. You mentioned that coolant stains were visible from from around or under the surge tank, pulling up the tank and inspecting it would be a good idea. Make sure that some carefully checks the weep hole in the water pump housing for any stains with a small mirror as they are not easy to see, especially if it is just starting to weep. Good luck with it.

 

[XLR8]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to top off the tank and take it to the shop first thing in the morning.

And I just realized I didn't answer Hib's other question: no, the engine hasn't been run hot. I'm the only driver and I'm always conscientious about eng temps.

Ask me how I know the importance of that. ;squint:

 

[XLR8]

Update

I topped off the overflow tank and took it to the shop. The problem turned out to be a crack in the bottom of the reservoir.

Kevin replaced the tank and she's back on the road again!

Thanks for the help guys!
Jane Ann

 

[GerryLP]

Ok, ok...what is the DIC (for those dirty minded people like myself...lol )?

GerryLP:cool

 

[BigJimZ16]

Ok, ok...what is the DIC (for those dirty minded people like myself...lol )?

GerryLP:cool

D river Information C enter... the vacuum fluorescent display in tthe C5/C6 dashboard that provides readable data to the driver.

 

[GerryLP]

D river Information C enter... the vacuum fluorescent display in tthe C5/C6 dashboard that provides readable data to the driver.

Oh! AKA, The D rivers' I nstrument C luster....I see :eyerole:L

GerryLP:cool

 

[XLR8]

Gerry, as Jim mentioned, the Driver Information Center - or DIC - displays various messages and data to the driver and is located just beneath the speedometer and tachometer.

Jane Ann

 

[GerryLP]

Gerry, as Jim mentioned, the Driver Information Center - or DIC - displays various messages and data to the driver and is located just beneath the speedometer and tachometer.

Jane Ann

That's a cool shot, Jane Ann!

GerryLP:cool

 

[XLR8]

I'm a visual type learner and true believer in the adage a picture is worth a thousand words. I grabbed that shot off the internet one day to illustrate an issue I was having with the AC in my C5.

This made it much easier to explain the problem:

While the repair was being made, it looked like this:

It was a traumatic experience seeing my baby that way, especially considering I was scheduled to leave less than 24 hours later for Bowling Green and CruiseFest06. hnoes

Jane Ann

 

[GerryLP]

:eek No kidding, Jane Ann!!!!

That must've been nerve racking. I hope it was covered by the warranty, though.

GerryLP:cool

 

[Red Vette]

Jane Ann, it is a good idea to check your coolant now that the recovery reservoir has been replaced just to make sure that was the only leak. The reservoir is a pressurized reservoir, and no air gets in. Hib was correct in loss of coolant thru the head gasket. I had that happen to my 56 back in 1962 and it blew the engine since the coolant is not compressible. Don't want that to happen to you. Also, check the exhaust to see if there is any off color exhaust fumes i. e. tan to white. Means the coolant is getting into the engine (had that happen to my 1979 chevy LUV pickup). BTW the DexCool works best in a closed system, that is why it is not good for any car that does not have a pressurized recovery tank.
Barrett

 

[XLR8]

:eek No kidding, Jane Ann!!!!

That must've been nerve racking. I hope it was covered by the warranty, though.

GerryLP:cool

Gerry - yes, it was. No, it wasn't. :L

Jane Ann, it is a good idea to check your coolant now that the recovery reservoir has been replaced just to make sure that was the only leak. ..........
Barrett

Thanks Barrett - I'll double check with Kevin.

Jane Ann

 

[Red Vette]

Gerry - yes, it was. No, it wasn't. :L



Thanks Barrett - I'll double check with Kevin.

Jane Ann

If Kevin is as good as you say he is, then he probably ran a pressure test to determine if the cooling system was tight.
Barrett