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Home >> Chevrolet >> 2011 >> Corvette ZR-1 >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Mechanical >> Cooling System (Mechanical) >> Engine Cooling System >> Diagnostic Information and Procedures >> Loss of Coolant (LS9)

Loss of Coolant (LS9)

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 System Check - 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) Charge Air Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static Fill)  for LS9.
Is the action complete?		 Go to Step 5  -
5 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 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 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
WARNING: Refer to Moving Parts and Hot Surfaces Warning .
With the engine idling, inspect the coolant recovery system.Does the coolant recovery system discharge coolant while the engine is idling?		 Go to Step 14  Go to Step 11 
11 Visually inspect the hoses, pipes and hose clamps at the following locations:
  • Coolant surge tank
  • Water Pump
  • Throttle Body
  • Heater core
  • Radiator

Are any of the hoses, clamps or pipes leaking?		 Go to Step 21  Go to Step 12 
12 Visually inspect the following components:
  • Coolant pressure cap
  • Block Heater
  • Core plugs
  • Cylinder head gaskets
  • Engine block
  • Intake manifold
  • Radiator
  • Thermostat housing
  • Water pump

Are any of the listed components leaking?		 Go to Step 21  Go to Step 13 
13
  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 11 and 12.
Are any leaks present?		 Go to Step 21  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 15  Go to Step 22 
15 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 23  Go to Step 16 
16
  1. Add 30 ml (1 oz) of GM P/N 89022219 (Canadian P/N 89022220) Canada Extended Life Coolant Leak Detection Dye to the cooling system for each 15 L (4 gal) 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 the 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 21  Go to Step 17 
17 Use the 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 23  Go to Step 18 
18 Inspect the underside of the engine oil fill cap for a gray/white milky substance.
Is a milky substance under the oil fill cap?		 Go to Step 19  Go to Step 20 
19 Inspect the engine oil fluid level indicator for a gray/white milky substance.
Is a milky substance on the engine oil fluid level indicator?		 Go to Step 33  Go to Step 20 
20 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 24  Go to Step 36 
21 Repair or replace the leaking component. Refer to the appropriate repair.
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
22 Replace the coolant pressure cap.
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
23 Replace the heater core. Refer to Heater Core Replacement .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
24
  1. Remove the transmission oil cooler lines from the radiator.
  2. Pressure test the cooling system. Refer to Cooling System Leak Testing (Powertrain)  or Cooling System Leak Testing (Charge Air Cooling) .
  3. Inspect the transmission oil cooler for coolant.
Is coolant present?		 Go to Step 25  Go to Step 26 
25
  1. Replace the radiator. Refer to Radiator Replacement (LS9) .
  2. Service the automatic transmission. Refer to Engine Coolant/Water in Transmission .
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 36  -
26 Visually inspect the hoses, pipes and hose clamps at the following locations:
  • Charge Air Cooling Pump
  • Charge Air Cooler
  • Charge Air Cooler Pump Inlet and Outlet Hoses
  • Charge Air Cooler Reservoir Inlet and Outlet Hoses
  • Charge Air Cooler Reservoir
  • Supercharger

Are any of the hoses, clamps or pipes leaking?		 Go to Step 21  Go to Step 27 
27 Visually inspect the following components:
  • Charge Air Cooling Pump
  • Charge Air Cooler
  • Charge Air Cooler Reservoir
  • Supercharger

Are any of the listed components leaking?		 Go to Step 21  Go to Step 28 
28
  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 26 and 27.
Are any leaks present?		 Go to Step 21  Go to Step 29 
29
  1. Add 30 ml (1 oz) of GM P/N 89022219 (Canadian P/N 89022220) Canada Extended Life Coolant Leak Detection Dye to the cooling system for each 15 L (4 gal) of coolant. Refer to Approximate Fluid Capacities
  2. Activate the pump using the TECH 2 to cycle the dye around the charge air cooling system.
  3. Shut the engine off.
  4. Use the J 42220:  Universal 12V Leak Detection Lamp to visually inspect the components listed in steps 26 and 27.
Are any leaks present?		 Go to Step 21  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:
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 Cylinder Leakage Test
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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