bigjayzway Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 I am frustrated beyond words! I have had to add more than 6 litres of antifreeze in the last month! I and many others have tried finding a leak-----NOPE NONE!!!! None in the oil, or coming out of the tailpipe. We can all smell it to the right (drivers side) of the rad, but there are no visible leaks ANYWHERE!!!! Anyone else EVER had this problem? Big Jay Life is too short to grow up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Well, the fact that you can smell it is good. That means it is an external leak and not a head gasket. It may be a radiator side tank leak that is evaporating before it leaves a drip anywhere, or a pump seal or cover gasket or crossover manifold gasket just to name a few. Pressurize the cooling system and leave it for a few hours or overnight and the leak will likely show itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 I currently have a radiator side tank problem and got prices today for them plus the gasket. Here were the prices I got, its hardly worth doing this as the cost of a new radiator is not much more when you add in the labor of installing them: RAD TANK (52469047) - $38.51 RAD TANK (52462610) - $47.81 TANK GASKET KIT (3092236) - $27.77 However, Jay, didnt you replace your radiator? I recall that you did and that you might not have installed one with the tranny cooler.. Check your upper and lower hose or for cracks anyway. Also check your TANK for cracks that only show themselves under pressure.. 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kensala313 Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 i know this is saying what the others said, but on my 97 STS i had a side tank on the radiator crack, and no matter how hard i looked, i couldnt find it. but when the radiator was out, it was easy to see that the right side tank was cracked in 5 differnt places. i guess plastic is not the best material for this part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill K Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 After replacing the beauty cover over the headlights/radiator I didnt get the radiator hose positioned correctly and the water pump belt put a slit in the hose that was hard to find untill presurized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenMachine Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Just to throw more suggestions, when my waterpump and waterpump area was leaking I couldn't find it anywhere, but the system kept losing coolant, I could smell it. I lost it mainly once the system was hot and driving around town, no noticeable drips, but it was going somewhere. New waterpump and new design cover solved the problem. The Green's Machines 1998 Deville - high mileage, keeps on going, custom cat-back exhaust 2003 Seville - stock low mileage goodness! 2004 Grand Prix GTP CompG - Smaller supercharger pulley, Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Dyno tune, etc 1998 Firebird Formula - 408 LQ9 Stroker motor swap and all sorts of go fast stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acklac7 Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 i know this is saying what the others said, but on my 97 STS i had a side tank on the radiator crack, and no matter how hard i looked, i couldnt find it. but when the radiator was out, it was easy to see that the right side tank was cracked in 5 differnt places. i guess plastic is not the best material for this part. My end tank was leaking pretty good too, however it was only the gasket that had failed. Go rent a coolant system pressurizer from auto zone and pump that sucker up...Once the coolant system is over-pressurized coolant will begin spewing from the source of the leak. A.J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breeza_Brown Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 don't forget to check ur cap. easy stuff first. u never know. Everyday Is Saturday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 I am frustrated beyond words! I have had to add more than 6 litres of antifreeze in the last month! I and many others have tried finding a leak-----NOPE NONE!!!! None in the oil, or coming out of the tailpipe. We can all smell it to the right (drivers side) of the rad, but there are no visible leaks ANYWHERE!!!! Anyone else EVER had this problem? Big Jay Make sure the system is full with coolant. Make sure the engine is hot, so that stat would be open. Open the hood, revv the engine to increase the pressure, and watch for leaks. Side tank cracks open up only when radiator is really hot. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 If I recall Jay's radiator is about a year old guys.... Here is his thread: http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?sho...amp;hl=radiator 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kensala313 Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 i know this is saying what the others said, but on my 97 STS i had a side tank on the radiator crack, and no matter how hard i looked, i couldnt find it. but when the radiator was out, it was easy to see that the right side tank was cracked in 5 differnt places. i guess plastic is not the best material for this part. My end tank was leaking pretty good too, however it was only the gasket that had failed. Go rent a coolant system pressurizer from auto zone and pump that sucker up...Once the coolant system is over-pressurized coolant will begin spewing from the source of the leak. well ive got it fixed already. i replaced the whole radiator. but i think ive got a leak still some where casue the coolant level is going down, but the check coolant level hasnt come on since the radiator has been replaced, so i guess im in good shape? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Coolant going down is not good. Hopefully it is external. Do the pressure test to locate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 I currently have a radiator side tank problem and got prices today for them plus the gasket. Here were the prices I got, its hardly worth doing this as the cost of a new radiator is not much more when you add in the labor of installing them: RAD TANK (52469047) - $38.51 RAD TANK (52462610) - $47.81 TANK GASKET KIT (3092236) - $27.77 However, Jay, didnt you replace your radiator? I recall that you did and that you might not have installed one with the tranny cooler.. Check your upper and lower hose or for cracks anyway. Also check your TANK for cracks that only show themselves under pressure.. Mike, my both tanks came with their gaskets (even with the o-rings as I recall). Replacing the tanks doesm make you feel good since you keep it all OEM, but taking into account the labor and the low cost of widely available aftermarket radiators it probably makes sense to go for a new radiator. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjayzway Posted January 31, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 If I recall Jay's radiator is about a year old guys.... Here is his thread: http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?sho...amp;hl=radiator You Mike are awesome! Yes the rad is still sparkling new, and without any leaks. We have done all the possible tests, and still have not found the leak! I tell you, my hair is all gone now!!!....LOL I think I will have to look at the water pump I guess?? I will keep you updated. As well I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with aftermarket block heaters, or inline coolant heaters?? Thanks guys. Big Jay Life is too short to grow up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted January 31, 2007 Report Share Posted January 31, 2007 Thanks Jay, check the pipes at the rear of the engine, the green hoses, the three heater hoses under the tank and the tank. I assume you have pressure tested the system, does it hold? Mike 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjayzway Posted February 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Thanks Jay, check the pipes at the rear of the engine, the green hoses, the three heater hoses under the tank and the tank. I assume you have pressure tested the system, does it hold? Mike Yes, that is what troubles me. I will look at the hoses and the tank. Big Jay Life is too short to grow up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epricedright Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Being I just encountered this, check to make sure your water pump gasket is not leaking. My bolts were loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 There may be a small water jacket in your air plenum at the intake. This is to heat air before entering manifold, so the fuel will burn better. If it is made of plastic ,it may have a little hole the size of a dime or smaller. The anti -freeze is spraying through right into intake and burning along with fuel. You will not smell it, and the car may even run better if it is a very small hole. This happened to me, and cost thousands of dollars . Nobody had a clue. The car companies dont get it , you can't use plastic in this area. Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted February 2, 2007 Report Share Posted February 2, 2007 Being I just encountered this, check to make sure your water pump gasket is not leaking. My bolts were loose. Epriced Jay has a NS, its a cartridge water pump, different than the 4.9 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjayzway Posted February 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2007 Well it happened EARLY this morning. I was on my way home from night shift at 3:30am and in the middle of the country roads the thermostat went bye-bye! The temp. went right up to the red and the message "engine hot a/c off" came on. I managed to drive the extra 5kms to my friends house, and park it. -34 with the windchill, and in the middle of the worst windstorm, we got the thermostat in, in less than 20 min. To top it off I was without a winter coat, cause I never wear one to work. I was so angry! Anyway, I now have heat, and didn't go through any coolant on the way home!? Big Jay Life is too short to grow up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjayzway Posted February 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Well it worked for a couple of days. I changed the thermostat(factory GM stat), and all was good for a few days. Now when I idle it goes right back to what it was doing before. The heater starts to blow cold air, and it starts to overheat again... Until I give it gas and the RPM's go up, and then it starts to blow heat again, and then the temp. goes down again. When I first start the car, and it's cold, I can hear the coolant whoosh through the heater core as it starts to warm up. I assume it's the coolant, cause at -25 there is not much liquid that will make any noise around the area the heater core is. I hear it from the inside of the car as I start driving. I thought it was an air pocket, but I have "burped" the system several times now. Anyone have any clue?? Big Jay Life is too short to grow up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Well it worked for a couple of days. I changed the thermostat(factory GM stat), and all was good for a few days. Now when I idle it goes right back to what it was doing before. The heater starts to blow cold air, and it starts to overheat again... Until I give it gas and the RPM's go up, and then it starts to blow heat again, and then the temp. goes down again. When I first start the car, and it's cold, I can hear the coolant whoosh through the heater core as it starts to warm up. I assume it's the coolant, cause at -25 there is not much liquid that will make any noise around the area the heater core is. I hear it from the inside of the car as I start driving. I thought it was an air pocket, but I have "burped" the system several times now. Anyone have any clue?? Big Jay Pull the air purge line off of the tank while the engine is idling (not hot and pressurized) and see if coolant flows, if this line is restricted/clogged you won't be able to purge air from the system. You said you pressurized your cooling system, how did that work out? How long was it pressurized and what pressure was the system raised to? 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 You said you pressurized your cooling system, how did that work out? How long was it pressurized and what pressure was the system raised to? And more importantly, did it hold pressure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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