2000-2005 Discuss your 2000-2005 Bonneville SE, SLE, and SSEi Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

Coolant Leak + Intermittant PO128

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-22-2007, 05:34 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
 
RJGill84's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Akron, Ohio
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
RJGill84 is on a distinguished road
Default Coolant Leak + Intermittant PO128

Hopefully this is something simple like a failing hose or something...but here goes:

About a month or so ago I got a SES light with code PO128 (engine wasn't reaching proper operating temps). AutoZone said it could be a bad thermostat, low coolant, and a number of relatively cheap things. So I check my coolant level, and the coolant in the overflow was low. So I buy some coolant and before I even get home to put it in, the SES light goes off on it'* own. Upon researching PO128, I found that if the vehicle completes 3 successful driving cycles without throwing the PO128 code, the SES light goes out. Apparently thats what happened in this case.

So last week, I was driving about an hour away, and the SES light comes on again en route. PO128 was the culprit once again. I drive with it on for another day, and the light goes off again. So I start thinking well...if it'* not getting up to operating temps, maybe I should let it warm up before driving it...it is cold as hell right now.

Well...yesterday I noticed leaking coolant in the driveway, and smelled it as well. It was NOT leaking until the past couple of days...atleast no at the volume that it is now. It is literally POURING out of the left side of the engine compartment, I can't really tell where though. But it is a nice dripping stream. Seems to only be happening while the car is running though, and stops shortly after I turn it off. Any ideas? I currently don't have an SES light, but I'm sure its a matter of time.
Old 12-22-2007, 05:59 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
petraman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Granville, Ohio ~NEBF '07 Survivor~
Posts: 5,001
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
petraman is on a distinguished road
Default

Check the bottom and upper coolant elbows, that'* my guess.
Old 12-23-2007, 12:17 AM
  #3  
RIP
True Car Nut
 
Archon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, Mi
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Archon is on a distinguished road
Default

By the "left side of the engine", you're referring to the driver'* side, correct? If so, check for leaks at the throttle body.
Old 12-23-2007, 02:24 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
Thread Starter
 
RJGill84's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Akron, Ohio
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
RJGill84 is on a distinguished road
Default

Nope, it would be the PASSENGER side. I meant left as if you were looking @ it w/ the hood open.

It'* a significant amount of leakage...so much so that it trails up the driveway when I pull in. It seems to be directly below the overflow tank...perhaps the tank has a crack in it - but would that explain the random PO128?
Old 12-23-2007, 10:15 AM
  #5  
RIP
True Car Nut
 
Archon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, Mi
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Archon is on a distinguished road
Default

OK. Sides of the car are referenced from as if you were sitting the driver'* seat...so, left is driver'* side, right is passenger side.

If your coolant level falls low enough to cause it to below the coolant temperature sensor, it could think that it is not warming up quickly enough. Pull the tank and check it, and also check the elbows as Petraman suggested.
Old 12-23-2007, 10:27 AM
  #6  
Junior Member
 
2000SilverBullet's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2000SilverBullet is on a distinguished road
Default

It could be your water pump.

Fill up the coolant and try to see where it is coming from.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RJGill84
2000-2005
6
12-06-2007 04:11 PM
briandf
2000-2005
4
04-04-2007 08:31 AM
jmark
1992-1999
3
06-28-2004 11:14 PM
Drifter420
1992-1999
5
09-24-2002 08:55 AM



Quick Reply: Coolant Leak + Intermittant PO128



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:08 AM.