Low Coolant

grass · 12-01-2002, 09:55 PM

k in the morning and last nite my "low coolant" light has come on but only stayed on for like 2 seconds, then went off, what could be happening here and where do i get more coolant and what are some good kinds of coolant?

Dr_Kyle · 12-01-2002, 10:55 PM

When that happened to me it was because I was leaking coolant into the oil. This was because of the infamous lower intake manifold gasket failure. To be safe, you may want to have it checked...

Irate · 12-02-2002, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by grass
k in the morning and last nite my "low coolant" light has come on but only stayed on for like 2 seconds, then went off, what could be happening here and where do i get more coolant and what are some good kinds of coolant?

Your coolant level could be really close to being too low. You need to check your coolant level when the car is cold (in the morning would be good). As for coolant, your owners manual says what kind to use (I forget, its been a while). Don't forget to read the instructions on the side of the coolant bottle... some come pre-mixed... Make sure you use the exact kind specified in the manual... mixing two coolants can cause a negative effect. Like kyle said, if you don't know what you're looking at, have a mechanic check the usual spots for possible coolant leaks.

StarFire · 12-02-2002, 11:55 AM

Mine is doing the same type of thing...

I've had the lower manifold gasket replaced twice in 3 months now...and it's leaking again...

My coolant keeps going down and it's somewhat annoying cuz I keep getting oil/coolant spots all over my driveway and on the street...

Well back into the shop it will go to get it fixed again, third time is a charm right?!?!?!???

ohhh well, hopefully they will get it fixed right one of these days!

koolZ71 · 12-02-2002, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr_Kyle
When that happened to me it was because I was leaking coolant into the oil. This was because of the infamous lower intake manifold gasket failure. To be safe, you may want to have it checked...

thats what happened to me...it would come on and go off...when the car was kold....it was a nice fix under warranty but if it happens again and i get that milky colored oil 600 dollars

Scott R. Mraz · 12-02-2002, 04:24 PM

BTW it's DEXCOOL. You shouldn't have to change it for 70,000 mils? Can't remember but it's a rediculously long ammount of time. Either way if it's leaking, get it checked, I remember you saying you have to take it in for the electrical problem anyhow. Make sure though that your coolent gets replaced with DEXCOOL and nothing else.

grass · 12-02-2002, 04:27 PM

the deal should fill it up for me if they notice its low right? or should i tell them about my rotors and also my lower intake gasket possibly leaking and the low coolant light coming on a few times?

Scott R. Mraz · 12-02-2002, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grass
the deal should fill it up for me if they notice its low right? or should i tell them about my rotors and also my lower intake gasket possibly leaking and the low coolant light coming on a few times?

Tell them about all the problems your having. Not every mechanic is going to check EVERYTHING, I strongly suggest you tell them about all the problems you having. Better to do it now then wait until your warrenty is up or the problems get worse. Hope everything goes well.

Aleromi · 12-02-2002, 05:43 PM

U should check the coolant evertime u check ur oil....(when gasing up at the gas station...)

um as far as it leaking , have a shop do what is called a presser test on u coolant system and if he see's a leak then have it fix by ur dealer or a that shop.....

Yes u guy's r right about the DEXcool it what all GM car's and trucks must have.....And it good for 150,000 miles...

As far As the lower intake leaking that as far ad i know is not a re-call list ,but from the sounds of it it should be....

VaGT · 12-02-2002, 10:17 PM

Owners manual says if you need to top off the coolant more than 4 times a year, then have it serviced. I take that to mean that some drop in level is perfectly normal. Fill to the "Full Cold" line when the engine it completely cool. I'd do it in the morning to ensure the engine has cooled completely.

Mine was doing the same thing... I checked it (24,500 miles), and it did need topped off.

The Owners manual and the Haynes manual both say at least 5 yrs and 100-150K miles between flushes of the coolant.

As someone said, use GM Approved DexCool. I bought some Prestone DexCool for about $8. Don't forget to mix 50/50 water.

grass · 12-02-2002, 10:18 PM

thanx guys, i'll get some coolant tommrowo and check it out, if i let my car sit for an hour or 2 it'll be cold enuf

its freaking 11degrees outside

Aleromi · 12-03-2002, 05:05 PM

HEy Grass if u need some to look at for yea drop me and Email
i dont live to far from u ....

Formula88 · 12-09-2002, 08:51 AM

A faulty pressure cap on the coolant reservoir tank can also cause a Low Coolant light, even if you have plenty of coolant. That happened on my '99 SE. I got a new cap, and the problem went away.

RedGrandTour · 12-09-2002, 05:37 PM

I had my gaskets replaced twice this year. The second time was less than 500 miles ago. Now, the coolant has leaked threw the water pump and radiator. Both are being replaced as I type. I'm so ****ed off. I knew it was leaking differently because the coolant was on the ground. Also, the low coolant light was going on and off. It had never done that the other times. I'm just lucky to have a 100,000mile warranty.

jayno20 · 01-06-2003, 11:24 AM

100,000 mile warranty??? how did u get that?? and does anyone know what the warranty on a 99 SE would be?? any help will be appriciated..

RedGrandTour · 01-06-2003, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jayno20
100,000 mile warranty??? how did u get that?? and does anyone know what the warranty on a 99 SE would be?? any help will be appriciated..

I purchased the warranty with the car back in 1999. Your warranty should be a standard 3 year/36K miles. Unless you have a different warranty.

jayno20 · 01-06-2003, 08:34 PM

i dont suppose i could buy a warrenty like that now could i?? to last till 100,000

Aleromi · 01-07-2003, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jayno20
i dont suppose i could buy a warrenty like that now could i?? to last till 100,000

I dont think there is one that i know of..

Gm only offers to 60,000 unless U buy a chevy I think they have a longer program (warranty) I belive....

jayno20 · 01-07-2003, 07:37 PM

gm offers a 60,000 mile warranty?? well my grand am has 54k so am i covered with this???

Aleromi · 01-07-2003, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jayno20
gm offers a 60,000 mile warranty?? well my grand am has 54k so am i covered with this???

Only if u bought the extending warranty at the time sale...

I paid 1200 bucks for the extending warranty to make it up 60,000 miles...

Funny that after i got my Alero they offered the 60,000 mile warranty when u buy a NEW Alero or any Olds model ...

12-01-2002, 09:55 PM	#1
grass Smoke some grass Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Suburb of Monroe MI Age: 39 Posts: 642 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT Sedan	Low Coolant k in the morning and last nite my "low coolant" light has come on but only stayed on for like 2 seconds, then went off, what could be happening here and where do i get more coolant and what are some good kinds of coolant?

12-01-2002, 10:55 PM	#2
Dr_Kyle Better Than Ever AKA: Doctor Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 40 Posts: 2,116 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am GT1	When that happened to me it was because I was leaking coolant into the oil. This was because of the infamous lower intake manifold gasket failure. To be safe, you may want to have it checked... __________________ Looking for Performance Parts? Click Here to check out Doctor Speed! Best ET: 14.664 @ 94.82 MPH Doctor Speed - Grand Am Performance Parts My Cardomain Page

12-02-2002, 11:55 AM	#4
StarFire Got Bass? Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA (Bethel Park) Age: 44 Posts: 493 Vehicle: 2K1 GAGT >< 2K2 TA WS6	Mine is doing the same type of thing... I've had the lower manifold gasket replaced twice in 3 months now...and it's leaking again... My coolant keeps going down and it's somewhat annoying cuz I keep getting oil/coolant spots all over my driveway and on the street... Well back into the shop it will go to get it fixed again, third time is a charm right?!?!?!??? ohhh well, hopefully they will get it fixed right one of these days! __________________ 2001 Galaxy Silver Magnaflow GAGT <> 2002 Pewter Trans Am Ram Air Ws6 Webshots Gallery Various Pictures of meets & stuff DVD Collection Vicious Perfomance #8

12-02-2002, 04:24 PM	#6
Scott R. Mraz GAGT - Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: California Age: 40 Posts: 157 Vehicle: 2005 GTO M6	BTW it's DEXCOOL. You shouldn't have to change it for 70,000 mils? Can't remember but it's a rediculously long ammount of time. Either way if it's leaking, get it checked, I remember you saying you have to take it in for the electrical problem anyhow. Make sure though that your coolent gets replaced with DEXCOOL and nothing else. __________________ - "**** Killer - enforcing good taste since 1999."

12-02-2002, 05:43 PM	#9
Aleromi User account under probation AKA: Will Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dearborn hts,MICHIGAN Age: 49 Posts: 316 Vehicle: 1999 ALERO	Coolant LOW U should check the coolant evertime u check ur oil....(when gasing up at the gas station...) um as far as it leaking , have a shop do what is called a presser test on u coolant system and if he see's a leak then have it fix by ur dealer or a that shop..... Yes u guy's r right about the DEXcool it what all GM car's and trucks must have.....And it good for 150,000 miles... As far As the lower intake leaking that as far ad i know is not a re-call list ,but from the sounds of it it should be....

12-02-2002, 04:27 PM	#7
grass Smoke some grass Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Suburb of Monroe MI Age: 39 Posts: 642 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT Sedan	the deal should fill it up for me if they notice its low right? or should i tell them about my rotors and also my lower intake gasket possibly leaking and the low coolant light coming on a few times?

12-02-2002, 10:17 PM	#10
VaGT Go Steelers! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Woodbridge, Va Age: 44 Posts: 842 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT1	Owners manual says if you need to top off the coolant more than 4 times a year, then have it serviced. I take that to mean that some drop in level is perfectly normal. Fill to the "Full Cold" line when the engine it completely cool. I'd do it in the morning to ensure the engine has cooled completely. Mine was doing the same thing... I checked it (24,500 miles), and it did need topped off. The Owners manual and the Haynes manual both say at least 5 yrs and 100-150K miles between flushes of the coolant. As someone said, use GM Approved DexCool. I bought some Prestone DexCool for about $8. Don't forget to mix 50/50 water. __________________ 2001 Grand Am GT1 75th Anniversary Edition Purchased new 6/14/01

12-02-2002, 10:18 PM	#11
grass Smoke some grass Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Suburb of Monroe MI Age: 39 Posts: 642 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT Sedan	thanx guys, i'll get some coolant tommrowo and check it out, if i let my car sit for an hour or 2 it'll be cold enuf its freaking 11degrees outside

12-03-2002, 05:05 PM	#12
Aleromi User account under probation AKA: Will Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dearborn hts,MICHIGAN Age: 49 Posts: 316 Vehicle: 1999 ALERO	HEy Grass if u need some to look at for yea drop me and Email i dont live to far from u ....

12-09-2002, 08:51 AM	#13
Formula88 GAGT - Newbie Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 21 Vehicle: 1999 Grand Am SE Coupe	A faulty pressure cap on the coolant reservoir tank can also cause a Low Coolant light, even if you have plenty of coolant. That happened on my '99 SE. I got a new cap, and the problem went away.

12-09-2002, 05:37 PM	#14
RedGrandTour Crashed 99 GT :( Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: IL Age: 43 Posts: 802 Vehicle: 2001 Grand Am GT Coupe	I had my gaskets replaced twice this year. The second time was less than 500 miles ago. Now, the coolant has leaked threw the water pump and radiator. Both are being replaced as I type. I'm so ****ed off. I knew it was leaking differently because the coolant was on the ground. Also, the low coolant light was going on and off. It had never done that the other times. I'm just lucky to have a 100,000mile warranty.

01-06-2003, 11:24 AM	#15
jayno20 GAGT - Member AKA: Justin Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Indiana, PA Age: 36 Posts: 118 Vehicle: 99 SE	100,000 mile warranty??? how did u get that?? and does anyone know what the warranty on a 99 SE would be?? any help will be appriciated..

01-06-2003, 08:34 PM	#17
jayno20 GAGT - Member AKA: Justin Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Indiana, PA Age: 36 Posts: 118 Vehicle: 99 SE	i dont suppose i could buy a warrenty like that now could i?? to last till 100,000

01-07-2003, 07:37 PM	#19
jayno20 GAGT - Member AKA: Justin Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Indiana, PA Age: 36 Posts: 118 Vehicle: 99 SE	gm offers a 60,000 mile warranty?? well my grand am has 54k so am i covered with this???

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