2001 Chevy Silverado low coolant warning

Tiny
JAKEDOINIT
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
Periodically the low coolant light will come on and sure enough when I check the resevoir is low. I have checked everywhere and cannot find a leak or even the faintest smell of coolant. How could coolant possibly be consumed or where could it be going?
Sunday, February 28th, 2010 AT 4:51 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Have you checked the engine oil to make sure it isn't mixing with it? Have you ever noticed white smoke from the exhaust? Also, check under the waterpump to make sure there is no evidence of a leak from the weep hole. It is a small round hole. If the seal in the waterpump or bearing goes bad, it will leak from there and it can be very hard to find. Also, closely check around the intake to make sure nothing is leaking there.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Sunday, February 28th, 2010 AT 10:27 PM
Tiny
JAKEDOINIT
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Thanks Joe. Of the things suggested I have noticed a bit of white smoke before but never consistent. I would think that could be a head gasket problem but the oil always looks right. Again I have inspected everywhere and never saw any signs of a leak.

Thanks a bunch for your reply

Jeff
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Monday, March 1st, 2010 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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If you see white smoke once and awhile, there is a chance of a head gasket. If you see no leaks, it's not in the oil, it is going somewhere. If it is burned, you won't see the leak. You may want to check compression to see if there is a low cylender.

Let me know.
Joe
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Monday, March 1st, 2010 AT 9:41 PM

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