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Loss of Coolant (LC3)

Loss of Coolant (LC3)

Step Action Yes No
DEFINITION: The cooling system is losing coolant either internally or externally.
1 Were you sent here from Symptoms or another diagnostic table? Go to Step 2  Go to Symptoms - Engine Cooling 
2 Repair any present DTCs. Refer to Diagnostic Starting Point - Engine Cooling .
Is the action complete?		 Go to Step 3  -
3 Inspect the coolant level at the surge tank.
Is the coolant at the proper level?		 Go to Step 4  Go to Step 5 
4 Inspect the charge air cooling system coolant level.
Is the coolant at the proper level?		 Go to Step 7  Go to Step 6 
5 Fill the cooling system to the proper level. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static Fill)  or Cooling System Draining and Filling (GE 47719) .
Is the action complete?		 Go to Step 4  -
6 Fill the charge air cooling system to the proper level. Refer to Charge Air Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static Fill)  or Charge Air Cooling System Draining and Filling (Vac N Fill) .
Is the action complete?		 Go to Step 7  -
7 If the engine is suspected to have a coolant leak into a cylinder, the coolant can hydraulically lock the engine.
Does the engine crankshaft rotate?		 Go to Step 8  Go to Step 27 
8 Engine overheating can cause a loss of coolant.
Is the engine overheating?		 Go to Step 28  Go to Step 9 
9 Extended operation with a low coolant level can cause engine internal component failure.
Is the engine knocking?		 Go to Step 30  Go to Step 10 
10 Visually inspect the hoses, pipes and hose clamps at the following locations:
  • Radiator-Charge air cooler
  • Pump-Charge air cooler
  • Charge air cooler
  • Fill neck-Charge air cooler
  • Overflow reservoir-Charge air cooler

Are any of the hoses, clamps or pipes leaking?		 Go to Step 23  Go to Step 11 
11 Visually inspect the following components:
  • Radiator-Charge air cooler
  • Pump-Charge air cooler
  • Charge air cooler
  • Charge air coolant cap
  • Fill neck-Charge air cooler
  • Overflow reservoir-Charge air cooler

Are any of the listed components leaking?		 Go to Step 23  Go to Step 12 
12
  1. Pressure test the charge air cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Leak Testing (Powertrain)  or Cooling System Leak Testing (Charge Air Cooling) .
  2. With the cooling system pressurized, visually inspect the components listed in steps 10 and 11.
Are any leaks present?		 Go to Step 23  Go to Step 13 
13 Visually inspect the hoses, pipes and hose clamps at the following locations:
  • Surge tank
  • Throttle body
  • Water pump
  • Heater core
  • Radiator

Are any of the hoses, clamps or pipes leaking?		 Go to Step 23  Go to Step 14 
14 Visually inspect the following components:
  • Block heater
  • Coolant pressure cap
  • Core plugs
  • Cylinder head gaskets
  • Cylinder heads
  • Engine block
  • Radiator
  • Thermostat housing
  • Water pump

Are any of the listed components leaking?		 Go to Step 23  Go to Step 15 
15
  1. Pressure test the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Leak Testing (Powertrain)  or Cooling System Leak Testing (Charge Air Cooling) .
  2. With the cooling system pressurized, visually inspect the components listed in steps 13 and 14.
Are any leaks present?		 Go to Step 23  Go to Step 16 
16 Pressure test the coolant pressure cap. Refer to Pressure Cap Testing (Powertrain)  or Pressure Cap Testing (Charge Air Cooling) .
Does the coolant pressure cap hold pressure?		 Go to Step 17  Go to Step 24 
17
  1. Apply the parking brake.
  2. Ensure the vehicle is in PARK.
  3. Start and idle the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature.
  4. Inspect for heavy white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe.
Is a heavy white smoke present from the exhaust pipe?		 Go to Step 18  Go to Step 19 
18
  • Coolant in the exhaust system creates a distinctive, burning coolant odor in the exhaust.
  • Condensation in the exhaust system can cause an odorless white smoke during engine warm up.
Does the white smoke have a burning coolant type odor?		 Go to Step 29  Go to Step 19 
19 With the engine idling, inspect the surge tank.
Does the surge tank discharge coolant while the engine is idling?		 Go to Step 31  Go to Step 20 
20 Inspect for the following conditions:
  • A coolant smell inside of the vehicle.
  • Coolant in the HVAC module drain tube.
  • Coolant on the vehicle floor covering near the HVAC module.

Is coolant present?		 Go to Step 25  Go to Step 21 
21 Inspect the engine oil for a gray/white milky substance.
Is there a milky substance in the engine oil ?		 Go to Step 29  Go to Step 22 
22 Inspect the transmission oil fluid for a gray/white milky substance.
Does the transmission fluid contain a gray/white milky substance?		 Go to Step 26  Go to Step 32 
23 Repair or replace the leaking component. Refer to the appropriate repair.
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 32  -
24 Replace the coolant pressure cap.
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 32  -
25 Replace the heater core. Refer to Heater Core Replacement .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 32  -
26
  1. Replace the radiator. Refer to Radiator Replacement (LH2 Standard Cooling)  or Radiator Replacement (LH2 Heavy Duty Cooling)  or Radiator Replacement (LY7 Standard Cooling)  or Radiator Replacement (LC3) .
  2. Service the transmission. Refer to Engine Coolant/Water in Transmission .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 32  -
27 Repair the engine no crank condition. Refer to Engine Will Not Crank - Crankshaft Will Not Rotate .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 32  -
28 Repair the engine overheating condition. Refer to Engine Overheating .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 32  -
29 Repair the engine internal coolant leak. Refer to Coolant in Combustion Chamber or Coolant in Engine Oil .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 32  -
30 Repair the engine knock. Refer to Lower Engine Noise, Regardless of Engine Speed .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 32  -
31 Repair the combustion pressure in the cooling system problem. Refer to Cylinder Leakage Test .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 32  -
32 Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Did you find and correct the condition?		 System OK Go to Step 2 
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