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Home >> Chevrolet >> 2023 >> Tahoe SSV >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Mechanical >> Cooling System (Mechanical) >> Engine Heating And Cooling - Diagnostic Information And Procedures >> Diagnostic Information and Procedures >> Loss of Coolant

Loss of Coolant

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. Cooling System Draining and Filling (GE 47716 L84, L87)Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static L84, L87)Cooling System Draining and Filling (Static LM2)Cooling System Draining and Filling (GE 47716 LM2)
Is the action complete?		 Go to Step 5  -
5 Engine overheating can cause a loss of coolant.
Is the engine overheating?		 Go to Step 17  Go to Step 6 
6
  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 7  Go to Step 8 
7
  1. Coolant in the exhaust system creates a distinctive, burning coolant odor in the exhaust.
  2. 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 18  Go to Step 8 
8 Visually inspect the coolant hoses, clamps, pipes.
Are any of the coolant hoses, clamps or pipes leaking?		 Go to Step 19  Go to Step 9 
9 Visually inspect the following components:
  • Core Plugs
  • Engine Block
  • Engine Block Heater
  • Intake Manifold
  • Radiator
  • Radiator Surge Tank Cap
  • Throttle Body
  • Water Pump Inlet
  • Water Pump

Are any of the listed components leaking?		 Go to Step 19  Go to Step 10 
10
  1. Pressure test the cooling system. Cooling System Leak Testing 
  2. With the cooling system pressurized, visually inspect the components listed in steps 8 and 9.
Are any leaks present?		 Go to Step 19  Go to Step 11 
11 Pressure test the radiator surge tank cap. Radiator Surge Tank Cap Testing 
Does the radiator surge tank cap hold pressure?		 Go to Step 12  Go to Step 15 
12 Inspect for the following conditions:
  • A coolant smell inside of the vehicle
  • Coolant in the primary or auxiliary heater and air conditioning evaporator and blower module drain
  • Coolant on the vehicle floor covering near the primary or auxiliary heater and air conditioning evaporator and blower module

Is coolant present?		 Go to Step 19  Go to Step 13 
13 Inspect the underside of the engine oil filler cap for a gray/white milky substance.
Is there a milky substance under the oil filler cap?		 Go to Step 14  Go to Step 20 
14 Inspect the engine oil level indicator for a gray/white milky substance.
Is there a milky substance on the engine oil level indicator?		 Go to Step 16  Go to Step 20 
15 Replace the radiator surge tank cap.
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 20  -
16
  1. Replace the radiator. Radiator Replacement (L84, L87)Radiator Replacement (LM2)
  2. Replace the oil and filter. Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 20  -
17 Repair the engine overheating condition. Engine Overheating (L84, L87) Engine Overheating (LM2) 
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 20  -
18 Repair the engine internal coolant leak. Coolant in Combustion Chamber , or, Coolant in Engine Oil
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 20  -
19 Repair or replace the leaking component.
Is the repair complete?		 Go to Step 20  -
20 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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