Weird coolant leak.

[pektel]

So yesterday I stop at gnc, and leave the car running while I go inside. I'm in there under 10 minutes, and when I come out there is a LOT of coolant coming from under the car, right where the degas bottle is. I pop the hood, and the bottle looks overfull (past the full mark, almost up to the cap.) Temp guage is reading normal.

So I drive about a block to walmart to finish errands, but this time turn the car off. Come out, and it still has a huge puddle under it. I have the gf follow me the 6 miles home, so I can start inspecting everything.

Weird thing is, now I can't get it to leak again. Tried leaving it running, tried leaving ac either off/on. Took it for a mild drive, then a spirited one. Still no leak.

Whiskey tango foxtrot?

 

[LS4me]

Overfilled bottle? That would cause the excess fluid to spill out. How was the temp after you got home? Still normal?

 

[pektel]

Haven't added coolant for quite some time. In fact, probably not since changing the degas bottle last summer. Temp remained normal the entire time, and was fine this morning on the way to work.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

Did you check the drain valve next to the bottle? Maybe the plug came out, or it started leaking?

...or is that Gen2 specific?

 

[LS4me]

Check the fluid level cold and make sure you aren't low.

 

[Soopa009]

Similar thing happened to me about a year ago no bs. It was a smoking hot day and I went into QD and came out within 5 mins of my car being off. There was coolant just spilling out like crazy, so I drove it to the park where I was playin ball popped the hood again and just made sure I screwed the cap on really tight. Haven't had the problem since.. Sounds stupid but seriously just make sure the cap is screwed all the way on. Mine seriously must have just got loose by itself

 

[BlackLS06]

Yeah make sure the cap is tightened all the way until it clicks.

Also make sure the washer inside the cap isnt damaged and it seals properly.

 

[pektel]

Did you check the drain valve next to the bottle? Maybe the plug came out, or it started leaking?

...or is that Gen2 specific?

Just checked it. It was about a 1/4 turn from as tight as I could get it with my fingers. Not sure if that was the culprit. Hopefully! Thanks for the suggestion.

Check the fluid level cold and make sure you aren't low.

It is just a hair low. I have to pick up some more coolant on the way by the auto parts store. If I were smart, I would've bought a jug when I was at Walmart, since I knew it was leaking then.

 

[pektel]

Similar thing happened to me about a year ago no bs. It was a smoking hot day and I went into QD and came out within 5 mins of my car being off. There was coolant just spilling out like crazy, so I drove it to the park where I was playin ball popped the hood again and just made sure I screwed the cap on really tight. Haven't had the problem since.. Sounds stupid but seriously just make sure the cap is screwed all the way on. Mine seriously must have just got loose by itself

Yeah make sure the cap is tightened all the way until it clicks.

Also make sure the washer inside the cap isnt damaged and it seals properly.

Just went out and checked the cap. Everything appears normal there.

 

[LS4me]

Just checked it. It was about a 1/4 turn from as tight as I could get it with my fingers. Not sure if that was the culprit. Hopefully! Thanks for the suggestion.

I believe you have found the culprit sir. When the coolant gets hot it will "overflow" out of that tube. Part of the bleeding procedure, remember? At least there's no doubt the system is bled!

 

[pektel]

lol. of course I remember. Can't even tell you how many times I've bled the system on my LS. Guess it loosened up on it's own?

 

[LS4me]

Guess it loosened up on it's own?

Or you didn't get it as tight as you thought......

 

[pektel]

that could be... I'm not getting any younger, and my memory ain't what it used to be.

 

[ShortCircutLS]

Durring my year long Degas bottle repair I parked at auto zone and thought it was my car leaking of course panic ensued. ! Found out as I went back inside that someone else had sprung a radiator leak and parked there before me. Maybe its just someone else's mess. But I don't blame you for worrying , never give an LS the benefit of the doubt. Never let your guard down. :shifty: