Hibn
New member
- Joined
- May 22, 2021
- Messages
- 23
- Reaction score
- 10
- Points
- 3
- Buick Ownership
- 2004 LeSabre Custom
@Roe10 if you are low on coolant and didn't have a recent repair involving draining/refilling the coolant system, then you have a leak (just like the others have said). It's a sealed system that expands and contracts. The coolant doesn't evaporate. In fact, dexcool doesn't like being exposed to air.
There are lots of possibilities for "why" it is low on coolant. The key is, now that you KNOW it is low, you need to figure out WHY and address the issue.
Topping off the coolant is a short-term temporary band-aid. It isn't a solution, but it will buy you additional time to troubleshoot the issue vs. running with low coolant and overheating your engine.
If/when I check and find low coolant (usually because I notice that sweet antifreeze smell or a drip of something on the driveway), then I'll top the system off and be very vigilant about looking for leaks (especially after the engine is up to operating temperature) and checking the coolant level every time before driving.
It might be a very slow leak, for example, from the water pump weep hole. It might be a head gasket or intake gasket. It might be a crack or pinhole leak in the radiator. It might be a leaky hose. Your heater core might have a pinhole in it (do you smell antifreeze inside the car when you use the heater?). <or something else!>
We can't help without additional information. If you aren't DIY, then you are dependent on your mechanic to find and fix.
Good luck.
There are lots of possibilities for "why" it is low on coolant. The key is, now that you KNOW it is low, you need to figure out WHY and address the issue.
Topping off the coolant is a short-term temporary band-aid. It isn't a solution, but it will buy you additional time to troubleshoot the issue vs. running with low coolant and overheating your engine.
If/when I check and find low coolant (usually because I notice that sweet antifreeze smell or a drip of something on the driveway), then I'll top the system off and be very vigilant about looking for leaks (especially after the engine is up to operating temperature) and checking the coolant level every time before driving.
It might be a very slow leak, for example, from the water pump weep hole. It might be a head gasket or intake gasket. It might be a crack or pinhole leak in the radiator. It might be a leaky hose. Your heater core might have a pinhole in it (do you smell antifreeze inside the car when you use the heater?). <or something else!>
We can't help without additional information. If you aren't DIY, then you are dependent on your mechanic to find and fix.
Good luck.
