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Home >> Chevrolet >> 2010 >> Traverse LT, AWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 468 (Engine Cooling System) >> Diagnostic Information and Procedures >> Loss of Coolant

Loss of Coolant

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 GMC Acadia, 2016 Chevrolet Traverse, and 2016 Buick Enclave. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
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 - Vehicle .
Is the action complete?		 Go to Step 3  -
3 Inspect the coolant level.
Is the coolant at the proper level?		 Go to Step 5  Go to Step 4 
4 Fill the cooling system to the proper level. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static Fill) Cooling System Draining and Filling (Vac N Fill) .
Is the action complete?		 Go to Step 5  -
5 If the engine is suspected to have a coolant leak into the cylinder, the coolant can hydraulically lock the cylinder.
Does the engine crankshaft rotate?		 Go to Step 6  Go to Step 31 
6 Engine overheating can cause a loss of coolant.
Is the engine overheating?		 Go to Step 32  Go to Step 7 
7 Extended engine operation with a low coolant level can cause engine internal component failure.
Is the engine knocking?		 Go to Step 34  Go to Step 8 
8
  1. Idle the engine at normal operating temperature.
  2. Inspect for heavy white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe.
Is a heavy white smoke present from the exhaust pipe?		 Go to Step 9  Go to Step 10 
9 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 33  Go to Step 10 
10 With the engine idling, inspect the coolant recovery system.
Does the coolant recovery system discharge coolant while the engine is idling?		 Go to Step 15  Go to Step 11 
11 Visually inspect the hoses, pipes, and hose clamps at the following locations:
  • The auxiliary heater core
  • The coolant reservoir
  • The heater core
  • The radiator

Are any of the hoses, clamps, or pipes leaking?		 Go to Step 24  Go to Step 12 
12 Visually inspect the following components:
  • The block heater
  • The coolant pressure cap
  • The coolant reservoir
  • The core plugs
  • The cylinder head gaskets
  • The engine block
  • The intake manifold
  • The radiator
  • The thermostat
  • The water pump

Are any of the listed components leaking?		 Go to Step 24  Go to Step 13 
13
  1. Pressure test the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Leak Testing .
  2. Visually inspect the components listed in steps 11 and 12 again.
Are any leaks present?		 Go to Step 24  Go to Step 14 
14 Pressure test the coolant pressure cap. Refer to Pressure Cap Testing .
Does the coolant pressure cap hold pressure?		 Go to Step 16  Go to Step 25 
15 Pressure test the coolant pressure cap. Refer to Pressure Cap Testing .
Does the coolant pressure cap hold pressure?		 Go to Step 35  Go to Step 25 
16 Inspect for the following conditions:
  • A coolant smell inside of the vehicle
  • Coolant in the HVAC module assembly drain tube
  • Coolant on the vehicle floor covering under the HVAC module assembly

Is coolant present?		 Go to Step 26  Go to Step 17 
17 If equipped with auxiliary heating, inspect for the following conditions:
  • A coolant smell inside of the vehicle
  • Coolant in the auxiliary HVAC module assembly drain tube
  • Coolant on the floor covering near the auxiliary HVAC module assembly

Is coolant present?		 Go to Step 27  Go to Step 18 
18
  1. Add 30 ml (1 oz) of Extended Life Coolant Leak Detection Dye GM P/N 89022219 (Canadian P/N 89022220) to the cooling system for each 15 liters (4 gallons) of coolant. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities .
  2. Start the vehicle and allow the engine to reach normal operating temperature.
  3. Shut the engine off.
  4. Use J 42220  universal 12V leak detection lamp to visually inspect the components listed in steps 11 and 12.
Are any leaks present?		 Go to Step 24  Go to Step 19 
19 Use J 42220  universal 12V leak detection lamp to inspect for the following conditions:
  • Coolant dye in the HVAC module drain tube
  • Coolant dye on the vehicle floor covering near the HVAC module

Is coolant dye present?		 Go to Step 26  Go to Step 20 
20 Use J 42220  universal 12V leak detection lamp to inspect for the following conditions:
  • Coolant dye in the auxiliary HVAC module drain tube
  • Coolant dye on the vehicle floor covering near the auxiliary HVAC module

Is coolant dye present?		 Go to Step 27  Go to Step 21 
21 Inspect the underside of the oil fill cap for a gray/white milky substance.
Is there a milky substance under the oil fill cap?		 Go to Step 22  Go to Step 23 
22 Inspect the engine oil fluid level indicator for a gray/white milky substance.
Is there a milky substance on the engine oil fluid level indicator?		 Go to Step 33  Go to Step 23 
23 Inspect the automatic transmission oil fluid level indicator, if equipped, for a gray/white milky substance.
Is there a milky substance on the automatic transmission fluid level indicator?		 Go to Step 28  Go to Step 36 
24 Repair or replace the leaking component. Refer to the appropriate repair.
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
25 Replace the coolant pressure cap.
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
26 Replace the heater core. Refer to Heater Core Replacement .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
27 Replace the auxiliary heater core. Refer to Auxiliary Heater Core Replacement .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
28
  1. Remove the transmission oil cooler lines from the radiator.
  2. Pressure test the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Leak Testing .
  3. Inspect the transmission oil cooler for coolant.
Is coolant present in the transmission oil cooler?		 Go to Step 29  Go to Step 30 
29
  1. Replace the radiator. Refer to Radiator Replacement .
  2. Service the automatic transmission. Refer to Engine Coolant/Water in Transmission .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
30 Install the cooler lines to the radiator.
Is the action complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
31 Repair the engine no crank condition. Refer to Engine Will Not Crank - Crankshaft Will Not Rotate .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
32 Repair the engine overheating condition. Refer to Engine Overheating .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
33 Repair the engine internal coolant leak. Refer to Coolant in Combustion Chamber , or Coolant in Engine Oil .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
34 Repair the engine knock. Refer to Lower Engine Noise, Regardless of Engine Speed .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
35 Repair the combustion pressure in the cooling system problem. Refer to Coolant in Combustion Chamber .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
36 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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