[Solved] 2015 Chevrolet Silverado Coolant Leak
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Here is a list of tools I use every day at the shop. Let me know if you use them too in the comments!
Check out the case study below to find out what fixed this coolant leak!
Why does the Silverado leak coolant?
Here are some possible causes for a coolant leak.
Gaskets and o-rings
Coolant hoses
Cracked plastic parts
Radiator
Heater core
Coolant Reservoir
Water Pump
What are some symptoms of a coolant leak?
Here are some symptoms of a coolant leak.
Sweet smell coming from the engine
Lack of heat inside the car
“Low Coolant” message on the dash
Constant refilling of the cooling system
Liquid underneath your vehicle
Engine overheating
How do you detect a coolant leak?
The most common tool to use is a coolant pressure tester. The case study below will go into more detail on how it works to find a leak.
How much does it usually cost to fix a coolant leak?
The cost to fix a coolant leak can vary depending on the size of the leak, the level of difficulty to fix the problem, and how accessible it is to repair.
For example, if an upper radiator hose is leaking, it may take little time to replace because on some vehicles, it is easy to access.
If a heater core is leaking, it may take more time, because most heater cores can be found behind the dash.
In this case study, we will diagnose a coolant leak on this 2015 Chevrolet Silverado.
Customer Complaint:
This 2015 Chevrolet Silverado came into the shop with a coolant leak. The customer was uncertain of where the coolant leak was located. They wanted us to find it and repair it.
First Thoughts:
Some coolant leaks can be difficult to locate.
If it is an extremely small leak, it can take hours to find.
I will usually let the vehicle sit with the test equipment on and work on another vehicle while I wait for a coolant leak to reveal itself.
Diagnostics:
The first step to diagnosing a coolant leak is to make sure the cooling system is full.
The second step is to attach the test equipment.
In this case, I used a coolant pressure tester.
The coolant pressure tester attaches to the cooling system via the coolant reservoir and pressurizes the system. The max pressure to pump into the coolant system is usually printed on the reservoir cap.
The third step is to wait for a leak to appear.
The gauge that is attached to the coolant pressure tester will show the system losing pressure if there is a leak.
The pressure was leaking down slowly, which showed that the leak was small.
After searching around, I found a few drips of coolant.
They were located underneath the coolant reservoir.
Just to make sure it was not coolant that was spilled from filling up the reservoir, I cleaned it and let it sit.
After a few minutes, the spot was collecting coolant again.
Closer inspection revealed that the coolant reservoir had a small crack in it.
After replacing the coolant reservoir, the coolant leak did not return.
This vehicle is now fixed!
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