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Cadillac 2000 dts coolant leak


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I have a 2000 dts and I see orange coolant leaking out above the oil filter. I noticed the check coolant level light been on. Does anyone know why it's leaking or where the leak is coming from?

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You are looking at a head gasket or if you are lucky a bad water pump gasket. OEM gasket is garbage.

And how did you determine this so quickly? Please refrain from concluding BEFORE ALL diagnostics are done on your SECOND posting here

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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I have a 2000 dts and I see orange coolant leaking out above the oil filter. I noticed the check coolant level light been on. Does anyone know why it's leaking or where the leak is coming from?

Ignore the posting above that its a head gasket. You did not mention overheating, etc, so I personally would not press the panic button and default to head gasket

OK, you said the check coolant light is on, did you immediately check it? Is is actually LOW or NOT? There is a sensor in the coolant tank that can go bad, indicating a low coolant level when its NOT low, CHECK THE COOLANT first thing

As far as the leak goes, it can be so many things, your radiator, coolant tank, crossover seals, water pump, water pump body seal, water pump cover seal, upper hose, thermostat seal, lower hose, etc.

The best way to check for a leak is to pressurize the coolant system and look for leaks, you can purchase a cooling system tester or have a good radiator shop do it for you and look for leaks.

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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You are looking at a head gasket or if you are lucky a bad water pump gasket. OEM gasket is garbage.

Northstar head gaskets rarely ever leak externally, the water pump is no where near the oil filter and the OEM gaskets are not the problem. You have a LOT to learn. .

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I have a 2000 dts and I see orange coolant leaking out above the oil filter. I noticed the check coolant level light been on. Does anyone know why it's leaking or where the leak is coming from?

Ignore the posting above that its a head gasket. You did not mention overheating, etc, so I personally would not press the panic button and default to head gasket

OK, you said the check coolant light is on, did you immediately check it? Is is actually LOW or NOT? There is a sensor in the coolant tank that can go bad, indicating a low coolant level when its NOT low, CHECK THE COOLANT first thing

As far as the leak goes, it can be so many things, your radiator, coolant tank, crossover seals, water pump, water pump body seal, water pump cover seal, upper hose, thermostat seal, lower hose, etc.

The best way to check for a leak is to pressurize the coolant system and look for leaks, you can purchase a cooling system tester or have a good radiator shop do it for you and look for leaks.

Where is the water pump located?

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The waterpump is located on the driver side of the engine at the top, toward the front. It is driven by a small belt off the front cam shaft. Here is a photo, in this photo the lower hose (big black hose) is attached to the waterpump cover at the thermostat. To get at the waterpump you need to take that cover off.

WaterPumpandRadiator022.jpg

Here is the cover with a new seal

WaterPumpandRadiator020.jpg

Here is the waterpump with the cover off

WaterPumpandRadiator012.jpg

Here is the belt side with a 1/4" breaker bar in the notch on the tensioner to remove the belt

WaterPumpandRadiator008.jpg

Here is the thermostat side of the cover

WaterPumpandRadiator011.jpg

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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  • 2 weeks later...

When you drive the air ( wind ) can make leaks apear to come from any where I recomend to dry off all wet area's & when the engine is cool, do a pressure test you can even rent them for free basilcly you are puting a deposit down for the tool, like at autozone lets say & they will return your money when you return the tool. once u have pressuer on it look for wet areas & or larger leaks, you cant always find them this way but it is the best way to start safly & enexpenseve way to trouble shoot your leak b4 you drop big bucks on a small buck problem.!!!!!

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