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Low Coolant Level Message possible blown head gasket


horsehappy

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We have a 2000 Deville. 135,000 miles. The Low Coolant level message kept coming on even after we added coolant. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the water pump. Didn't make it home and the message is back on. Took it back to the dealer to top off the reservoir and again didn't make it home and the message is back on. The reservoir is now down about 2 inches. Then the engine start running rough and the check engine light comes on. Had OnStar run a diagnostic and it came back with a fuel or emission system error. Took it back to the dealer who ran a pressure test and does not see any coolant coming out and figures it is an internal leak. They speculate that it is a blown head gasket but we do not have any white smoke coming out. Nor do we see coolant in the oil. Didn't want to spend any more money at the moment so we took the car home. Now it is running great although the coolant level is still low. Maybe it was a loose wire?? We can smell the coolant somewhere but don't see any drips.

Do you have any ideas or suggestions. We have considered going the Heal a Seal way but am not sure if it is any good.

Thanks for your help

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Dealer speculating will cost you major $. If the leak is that bad and you smell coolant, then there has to be an external leak. Since the system is low on coolant, the low coolant level warning system is functioning properly. Have the radiator and hoses been checked? If it is leaking that much coolant, the leak should be very easy to spot.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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We have a 2000 Deville. 135,000 miles. The Low Coolant level message kept coming on even after we added coolant. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the water pump. Didn't make it home and the message is back on. Took it back to the dealer to top off the reservoir and again didn't make it home and the message is back on. The reservoir is now down about 2 inches. Then the engine start running rough and the check engine light comes on. Had OnStar run a diagnostic and it came back with a fuel or emission system error. Took it back to the dealer who ran a pressure test and does not see any coolant coming out and figures it is an internal leak. They speculate that it is a blown head gasket but we do not have any white smoke coming out. Nor do we see coolant in the oil. Didn't want to spend any more money at the moment so we took the car home. Now it is running great although the coolant level is still low. Maybe it was a loose wire?? We can smell the coolant somewhere but don't see any drips.

Do you have any ideas or suggestions. We have considered going the Heal a Seal way but am not sure if it is any good.

Thanks for your help

Since the pressure test did not show any leaks, we did not check the radiator or hoses. We can smell the coolant after driving it but see no drips anywhere.

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Since the pressure test did not show any leaks, we did not check the radiator or hoses. We can smell the coolant after driving it but see no drips anywhere.

You may want to get a pressure tester and pump it up at home, then let it sit overnight.

I was getting a coolant smell with no visible signs of leakage, or rapid pressure loss. The overnight test produced puddles that showed I had 4 very small leaks - 3 of which were hose clamps. The fourth was a side tank seal on the radiator.

Be sure to test the radiator cap too.

The chain parts stores would probably loan you a decent pressure tester for overnight use.

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Also, any Rad shop can test your coolant for exhaust gases.

Any idea whether the coolant has been changed at a prior date ... the car is now between 7 and 8 years old,

well past the 5 year service interval.

1989 FWD Fleetwood, Silver

1995 STS Crimson Pearl on Black leather

1997 STS Diamond White

1999 STS Crimson Pearl

2001 STS Silver

2003 STS, Crimson Pearl

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There are so many places for the cooling system to leak, like the crossover gaskets, the heater pipes, bad hoses, water pump, water pump rear seal, radiator end tanks, etc. I had a coolant smell for 2 years and it ended up being my 4 crossover gaskets, see my thread on the crossover..to see how the seals go bad

Also, the reservoir has a sensor in it, what when it it bad, it will say you need coolant when you don't...

Don't jump to conclusions here, look it over very carefully. You can purchase a tester that will test for hydrocarbons in your coolant from NAPA.

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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A common leak point that is hard to find is the radiator end tanks. Coolant leaks, but evaporates before dripping many times. Follow Jackc's advice and if it is an external leak, it will eventually show itself.

As far as head gaskets go, the Northstar rarely puts coolant in the oil and steam is not an early symptom. From what you said, your coolant is going down rather quickly and I would think that if it where a head gasket, at that rate you'd see steam and be overheating.

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