My 01' LS was idling in my driveway when apparently the coolant hose that goes into the thermostat housing slipped off. Subsequently the engine pumped all of the coolant out. When I got back outside the car was off - it was idling about 20-25 minutes so I have no idea how long it went with zero coolant. All I know is that when I came outside the car was shut off. My question is, did the car shut down because the engine overheated and it seized up, or does the LS know when coolant is below a certain level and shut the engine down to protect it? I know about limp home/failsafe mode, but this seems different. When I came out the temp was cold and it started up fine after I filled the coolant back and put the hose on. I'm just concerned I may have seriously done damage or warped something.
Total coolant loss while running. Help!
- Thread starter RJGill84
- Start date
lincolnelite
Well-Known LVC Member
if it's overheating again or the exhaust smokes a lot then you have an issue otherwise you're in good hands.
joegr
Dedicated LVC Member
People keep confusing limp mode with etc failsafe mode and with failsafe cooling. They are all very different, even if the results seem similar.
Anyway, you have failsafe cooling. It only ignites fuel in each cylinder every other time. On the times that there is no ignition, it pumps cool air through the cylinder to help cool it. The failsafe cooling routine will shut the engine down if the cylinder head temperature goes way too high.
You probably have shortened engine life, but it is very unlikely that the engine seized. (Easy enough to tell, try to start it.)
You should change your oil now, it was probably overheated too. Also be aware that the hose probably didn't just slip off. Almost certainly, the plastic housing parts have cracked. You should replace all of the plastic cooling system parts (radiator excepted). Be sure to include the degas bottle in that.
Gus_Mahn
Well-Known LVC Member
FWIW my wife's '03 LS8 has been into failsafe mode three times over 205,000 miles. Usually she stops before it gives the shutdown warning, but it has been that hot once. We have suffered no ill effects. Then engine still runs great and doesn't use oil or anti-freeze. I don't believe LS engines have any history of head issues when overheated, but cracked heads and dropped seats have do happen occasionally on aluminum heads. Fix the leaks. My guess is you'll be fine. If it smokes or uses water, you'll have to dig into it.