So the other day I thought I smelled antifreeze while driving on the freeway. I got paranoid and checked the overflow level when I got home.
It is right at the "Low" or a hair below it.
Didn't see any leaked coolant but if it was leaking while driving it gets blown around so much you rarely find it.
The car was warm when I got home. Didn't see any leaks. Upper rad hose was nice and solid.
Oddly, the radiator was cool, as was the cap. Being careful...I removed the cap and the coolant in the rad was right at the top but was cold.
thoughts?
Low coolant level in overflow tank??
Re: Low coolant level in overflow tank??
Not enough information to come to any conclusion, What year Vibe, base or GT, engine size, outside temperature, engine temperature according to instrument panel gauge. In general, it seems to me that the base (1.8L) Vibe has much more radiator then it needs. The cooling fan is noisy on MY base Vibe, so I know when it comes on. And believe me it RARELY comes on, Never when the car is moving, seldom while idling, and constantly with the air conditioning on of course. Could it be that the outside air was cold enough to completely cool the little bit of hot coolant circulating to the radiator because you had the heater cranked-up inside the car?
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lannvouivre
- Posts: 1601
- Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 1:00 pm
- Location: Texas yay
Re: Low coolant level in overflow tank??
How long did you drive it? It sounds like it may not be circulating into the engine block. You may need a new thermostat. It takes a few minutes of driving and moving to warm the coolant. Once you reach operating temperatures (180 degrees F) the thermostat opens and lets coolant circulate through the block. If it's overheating and the radiator is cold, the thermostat is probably stuck closed.
Also, answer Chia's questions please
Also, answer Chia's questions please
"If you don't love me at my diddliest, you don't deserve me at my doodliest." - User ktluvscricket of reddit
Re: Low coolant level in overflow tank??
2008 base vibe (wanted a 350 in it but not an option)
That ride was brief I conclude. Got home from work today, 55 degrees out, and the rad was warm to the touch. Car never overheats, runs great.
Coolant level seems to have dropped a bit more but I don't smell antifreeze now.
I guess I'll run it into the shop to have them check it out. I'm not in the mood to get my hands dirty : - )
That ride was brief I conclude. Got home from work today, 55 degrees out, and the rad was warm to the touch. Car never overheats, runs great.
Coolant level seems to have dropped a bit more but I don't smell antifreeze now.
I guess I'll run it into the shop to have them check it out. I'm not in the mood to get my hands dirty : - )
Re: Low coolant level in overflow tank??
AlumAseal !
My mechanic has STOPPED several headgasket leaks with this specific product. Works on all cooling system leaks.
Most mechanics will suggest a new headgasket, that's how they earn a living!
http://www.amazon.com/review/RTSGS3G5TZ ... automotive
http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/alumaseal/
My mechanic has STOPPED several headgasket leaks with this specific product. Works on all cooling system leaks.
Most mechanics will suggest a new headgasket, that's how they earn a living!
http://www.amazon.com/review/RTSGS3G5TZ ... automotive
http://www.goldeagle.com/brands/alumaseal/
Re: Low coolant level in overflow tank??
Bad Thermostat
05 Matrix XR 4WD and 03 Vibe GT
"If you want Government to solve your problems, then you are the problem!" BMSR
Trix MODS: SRI w/ AEM filter, Vibrant/Magnaflow Cat-back, Alutec Lightweight Crank Pulley
GT MODS: Cosmo SRI, DRL, Auto Stop
"If you want Government to solve your problems, then you are the problem!" BMSR
Trix MODS: SRI w/ AEM filter, Vibrant/Magnaflow Cat-back, Alutec Lightweight Crank Pulley
GT MODS: Cosmo SRI, DRL, Auto Stop
Re: Low coolant level in overflow tank??
Sounds like a leak. Hopefully it's not a headgasket. Unlikely since you smelled coolant. Pull the oil dip stick when the engine is warm and make sure the engine oil isn't foamy, off-color, or smelling of antifreeze.
Since you smelled it and it's not collecting under the parked car, chances are it's a bad hose or O-ring somewhere that weeps only when the system is pressurized. I'd suggest you get in there with a flashlight, get your head in the engine bay, get under the car, see if you can find a wet spot to identify where the problem is. Check all the radiator hoses, the thermostat housing, the heater core hoses, the overflow tank hoses, and the water pump. Make sure the engine is cool when you do this!
If you can verify that coolant isn't getting into the oil, you have a few options. Either see if you can locate the leak, take it to a mechanic, or keep topping it off until the leak gets big enough that you can find it.
Also: coolant only circulates around the engine until it gets to operating temperature, at which point the thermostat opens to allow coolant to flow to the radiator. The idea is to have the engine get up to proper temperature as quickly as possible to increase efficiency before you start running coolant through the radiator. So it wouldn't be unusual for the radiator to be cool if you didn't drive long enough for the engine to get fully up to temperature. The fact that it was warm after a longer drive and cool after a short drive indicates to me that the thermostat is probably fine.
Since you smelled it and it's not collecting under the parked car, chances are it's a bad hose or O-ring somewhere that weeps only when the system is pressurized. I'd suggest you get in there with a flashlight, get your head in the engine bay, get under the car, see if you can find a wet spot to identify where the problem is. Check all the radiator hoses, the thermostat housing, the heater core hoses, the overflow tank hoses, and the water pump. Make sure the engine is cool when you do this!
If you can verify that coolant isn't getting into the oil, you have a few options. Either see if you can locate the leak, take it to a mechanic, or keep topping it off until the leak gets big enough that you can find it.
Also: coolant only circulates around the engine until it gets to operating temperature, at which point the thermostat opens to allow coolant to flow to the radiator. The idea is to have the engine get up to proper temperature as quickly as possible to increase efficiency before you start running coolant through the radiator. So it wouldn't be unusual for the radiator to be cool if you didn't drive long enough for the engine to get fully up to temperature. The fact that it was warm after a longer drive and cool after a short drive indicates to me that the thermostat is probably fine.
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FioreVibeOwner03
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2009 2:25 pm
Re: Low coolant level in overflow tank??
I know I am 8 years late to the party but this is not a thermostat problem, nor is it a leak.
If it was thermostat, it would not go from cold to warm (right in the middle) and stay there after he runs the engine up to operating temperature.
If it was a leak, he would notice progressively less coolant in his overflow reservoir after every trip.
It may be some other issue but not the ones above.
If it was thermostat, it would not go from cold to warm (right in the middle) and stay there after he runs the engine up to operating temperature.
If it was a leak, he would notice progressively less coolant in his overflow reservoir after every trip.
It may be some other issue but not the ones above.