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Home >> Chevrolet >> 2023 >> Camaro ZL1, 2D Convertible, Standard Trans >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Mechanical >> Cooling System (Mechanical) >> Engine Cooling System >> Diagnostic Information and Procedures >> Loss of Coolant

Loss of Coolant

Special Tools 

GE-42220  Universal 12V Leak Detection Lamp

Equivalent regional tools: Special Tools .

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. 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.
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 30 
6 Engine overheating can cause a loss of coolant.
Is the engine overheating?		 Go to Step 31  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 33  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 32  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 Reservoir
  • 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
  • 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. Cooling System Leak Testing 
  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. 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 heater and air conditioning evaporator and blower module removal drain tube
  • Coolant on the vehicle floor covering near the heater and air conditioning evaporator and blower module

Is coolant present?		 Go to Step 23  Go to Step 16 
16
  1. Add 30 ml (1 oz) of coolant system tracer dye to the cooling system for each 15 L (4 gal) of coolant.
  2. Start the vehicle and allow the engine to reach normal operating temperature.
  3. Shut the engine off.
  4. Use GE-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 GE-42220  Universal 12V Leak Detection Lamp to inspect for the following conditions:
  • Coolant system tracer dye in the heater and air conditioning evaporator and blower module drain tube
  • Coolant system tracer dye on the vehicle floor covering near the heater and air conditioning evaporator and blower module

Is coolant system tracer 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 32  Go to Step 20 
20 Inspect the automatic transmission fluid for a gray/white milky substance.
Is there a gray/white milky substance in the automatic transmission fluid?		 Go to Step 24  Go to Step 26 
21 Repair or replace the leaking component. Refer to the appropriate repair.
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 34  -
22 Replace the coolant pressure cap.
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 34  -
23 Replace the heater core. Heater Core Replacement
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 34  -
24
  1. Remove the transmission oil cooler lines from the radiator.
  2. Pressure test the cooling system. Cooling System Leak Testing 
  3. Inspect the transmission oil cooler for coolant.
Is coolant present?		 Go to Step 25  Go to Step 26 
25
  1. Replace the radiator. Radiator Replacement (LT1) , or Radiator Replacement (LGX) , or Radiator Replacement (LTG without V18) , or Radiator Replacement (LTG with V18) , or Radiator Replacement (LT4) 
  2. Service the automatic transmission. Engine Coolant/Water in Transmission
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 34  -
26 Visually inspect the hoses, pipes and hose clamps at the following locations:
  • Charge Air Cooling Pump
  • Charge Air Cooler Radiator
  • 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 Radiator
  • 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. Charge Air Cooling System Leak Testing (LT4) 
  2. With the charge air 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 coolant system tracer dye to the cooling system for each 15 L (4 gal) of coolant.
  2. Start the vehicle and allow the engine to reach normal operating temperature.
  3. Shut the engine off.
  4. Use GE-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 34 
30 Repair the engine no crank condition. Engine Will Not Crank - Crankshaft Will Not Rotate
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 34  -
31 Repair the engine overheating condition. Engine Overheating 
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 34  -
32 Repair the engine internal coolant leak.
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 34  -
33 Repair the engine knock. Lower Engine Noise, Regardless of Engine Speed
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 34  -
34 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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