General Tech Good at troubleshooting? Have a non specific issue? Discuss general tech topics here.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!! the coolant in my 03 deville keeps disapearing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 04-15-2010, 11:44 PM
mike0105's Avatar
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2
Default HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!! the coolant in my 03 deville keeps disapearing

hi i have a 2003 deville i have filled up the coolant numerous times and my coolant keeps disapearing i can smell antifreeze in engine compartment but cant find a leak anybody know what could be causing that? a guy told me to get rid of it because its gonna cost me $6000 to fix it somebody please help just bought the car
 
  #2  
Old 04-16-2010, 01:31 PM
2001_Seville_SLS's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle Area
Posts: 108
Default Coolant Leak

I had the same problem with my 01 Seville when I bought it. There was a slow leak; I could smell the fluid from the engine compartment, but not from the exhaust pipe; and, like yours, there was no obvious drip.

What worked for me was to flush the radiator, add new Prestone Dex-Cool antifreeze coolant at a 50% ratio with clean water, and the most important part: follow the Cadillac service manual instructions and add three cooling system seal tabs GM part number 3634621 to the lower radiator hose. They are brown discs about an inch in diameter, 3/4" tall, and you can put them in whole.

I understand that other manufacturers make a similar vegetable based product. The GM packaged product includes 6 tabs with a net weight of 2.12 oz and contains: Ginger, Almond Shell, Sodium Carbonate-CAS #497-19-8, 1,6-Heptadiene-3,5-dione, 1,7-Bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-CAS #458-37-7.
 

Last edited by 2001_Seville_SLS; 04-16-2010 at 01:42 PM.
  #3  
Old 04-17-2010, 09:46 AM
slowroll's Avatar
Tech Certified Members
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: in the mitten
Posts: 3,160
Default

Water pump housing / crossover to block gaskets are a common cause of the "mystery" leak. You will likely need to get car high off the ground to find leak. Many shops will do pressure test for coolant leaks for under 30.00.
 
  #4  
Old 04-17-2010, 11:31 PM
mike0105's Avatar
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 2
Default

thanks guys you are awsome im gonna get it preassure tested then im gonna get the tabs and fix the leak if its a seal or whatever it is . i appresiate the sugestions once again thank you
 
  #5  
Old 04-22-2010, 10:33 AM
ggp8667's Avatar
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 5
Default

On the tab thing, local Dealer told me they do not use the tabs anymore on late model caddys. Anyone else hear this?
 
  #6  
Old 04-22-2010, 06:05 PM
slowroll's Avatar
Tech Certified Members
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: in the mitten
Posts: 3,160
Default

I have not heard that, 2 tabs for all but 4.1-4.9L (push rod engine) which is 6. NO TABS FOR DIESEL! Info out years ago was anytime coolant is drained tabs should be added to seal minor leaks and extend water pump life.
 
  #7  
Old 04-22-2010, 08:01 PM
2001_Seville_SLS's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle Area
Posts: 108
Default Coolant Tabs

The 2001 Seville SLS and STS factory service manual calls for DEX-COOL and three pellets of the engine coolant supplement in the lower radiator hose when changing coolant. Changing the fluid and adding the pellets stopped the leak on my car.
 

Last edited by 2001_Seville_SLS; 04-22-2010 at 08:03 PM.
  #8  
Old 11-08-2010, 12:36 PM
dark_dz's Avatar
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Central California
Posts: 3
Default Coolant pellets

Hi all, I just replaced the radiator in my 91 Deville 4.9l and didn't know about these "pellets" that are to be placed in the lower hose. My daughter drove the car approx 100 mi and it leaked like a sieve...her mother was with her and fortunately knew not to let it overheat...long story short, they got it home after stopping and refilling the radiator a few times but her father said it's leaking from the freeze plugs which I have not confirmed. My question is, how many pellets do I need and do I have to go to a Cad dealer to get them? Also, is there a special antifreeze that needs to be used also? Thanks in advance! Darren
 
  #9  
Old 11-09-2010, 10:29 AM
stomper's Avatar
Tech Certified Members
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,701
Default

Originally Posted by dark_dz
Hi all, I just replaced the radiator in my 91 Deville 4.9l and didn't know about these "pellets" that are to be placed in the lower hose. My daughter drove the car approx 100 mi and it leaked like a sieve...her mother was with her and fortunately knew not to let it overheat...long story short, they got it home after stopping and refilling the radiator a few times but her father said it's leaking from the freeze plugs which I have not confirmed. My question is, how many pellets do I need and do I have to go to a Cad dealer to get them? Also, is there a special antifreeze that needs to be used also? Thanks in advance! Darren
that is a different problem .. have your cooling system checked.
the pellets are not meant to stop leakage of such proportions.


.
 
  #10  
Old 11-09-2010, 03:43 PM
dark_dz's Avatar
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Central California
Posts: 3
Default

Heya Stomper, thanks for the timely reply, muy appreciated...I haven't had a chance to look at it yet, but one thing I know from having been married to that gal for nearly 20 years is she has occasion to participate in hyperbole but certainly if it IS leaking that much...I will be having it checked-out by a mechanic...thanks again!
 


Quick Reply: HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!! the coolant in my 03 deville keeps disapearing



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:32 PM.