Do I have a crack in the tube from the overflow on the radiator neck to the reservoir? Tha "LOW COOLANT" warning/indicator lamp stays on. Radiator is full, engine is 160-180 when warm, but when I add coolant to overflow reservoir its leaking out. Anyone had this problem.
1996 Firebird Formula
Dan

 

You can pressure test the coolant system to see were it is leaking .

 

Yeah Parker I could pressure test the coolant system out I don,t have those tools. I am thinking about pulling the Battery, Fans, Shroud and anything else blocking my field of vision then just start adding fluid untill it starts leaking out. Only problem is how much work will that entail and what can I expect to run into just getting to that point.

 

water will come out the overflow tube if it has too much water
If you are not leaking water and the light stays on take the sensor on the water tank
out and clean it
some times cleaning will not help and the sensor has to be replaced.

If indeed you are leaking water and its not a bad sensor
You can rent the pressure test kit at parts store .
if the leak is bad enough you can use your water hose
when your car is cold put the water nozzle in the radiator make a tight seal and began filling
with water. Seal needs to be tight you might have to stuff some rags around the nozzle and hold
them tight. now you have pressurized the system keep seal tight and keep pumping water then have someone look for leaks while you keep pressure on it

 

If your radiator is staying full, you don't have a crack in the pipe leading from the fill neck to the reservoir. If you had a crack, coolant would flow out of the radiator when it heats up and the coolant expands, and when the radiator cooled down, it would pull air in through the crack in the overflow pipe, and leave the radiator level low.

When you check the radiator, the coolant should be right up to the top of the fill neck.

Is the level in the coolant reservoir dropping, based on using the dipstick? Can you visually see coolant leaking out of the reservoir - i.e. a puddle on the ground? Or are you assuming it is leaking because the level is dropping?

 

YES its full

I filled reservoir. tooo much (if Parker is right.) and there is a puddle of coolant

Cooling system is operating correctly from what I can tell.

I just got my smog test today and the smog tech said I had 2 DTC's I dont know hat they are because I passed smog, I will put AE to OBD II port and laptop later, Cars running fine with no SES light.
now just need to try cleaning the sensor, PITA to get too from what I can tell. I only assume battery comes out and the sensor is on the reservoir.

I have this FROM MOTORALLDATA am I on the right track?

NOTICE: Care must be taken when handling Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor. Damage to the ECT will affect proper operation of the fuel injection system.

REMOVE OR DISCONNECT

1. Drain the engine coolant.
2. Remove the air inlet duct (1).
3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the ECT sensor.
4. Remove the ECT sensor (2) from the engine coolant pump (1).

INSTALL OR CONNECT

1. Coat the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor threads with sealer P/N 1052080 or equivalent.
2. Install the ECT sensor (2) into the engine coolant pump (1).
3. Tighten the ECT sensor to 23 Nm (17 lb ft) .
4. Connect the ECT sensor electrical connector.
5. Install the air inlet duct (1).
6. Refill the engine coolant.
7. Start the engine and check for leaks.
8. Recheck the engine coolant level.

Any input is appreciated , Still searching the web for a diagram/location/or PIC

 

You're not going to be messing with the ECT. The low coolant sensor is on the side of the radiator, next to the battery.

If the system is overfull, the excess will come out of the top of the coolant recovery reservoir.

 

Is this the "Low Coolant" sensor I want to clean / replace? Anyone know if this is stocked at AZ? or dealer only.





I dont see how this part is removed. Do I just unplug and slide off? This PIC doesn't really show of to R&R

 

Just purchased the new Low Coolant Sensor for 50 bucks heres a pic

now just hope it goes in easy and fixes the problem

 

You have to be ready and move quickly and very little DEX-Cool is lost. All in all a PITA , BECAUSE I pulled the Battery and reservoir to check for leaks. Probablly could be accomplished without removing though.