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.

2001 SSEi Losing Coolant

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-23-2006, 10:06 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Thread Starter
 
compyelc4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Bellbrook, Ohio
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
compyelc4 is on a distinguished road
Default 2001 SSEi Losing Coolant

Coolant overflow dropping about 1/4" every three weeks. This started about the beginning of last December. Can detect no coolant smell in engine compartment. No external leaks that I can detect. Any of you who own 2000+ SSEi'* know of an intake gasket or other sealing problem with these guys?
Old 04-23-2006, 10:21 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
 
mike_peperni's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: montreal, Canada
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
mike_peperni is on a distinguished road
Default

Make sure to look everywhere!!

If you have a bad lower injtake manifold, this could gum your lifters at long term use.
Old 04-23-2006, 10:27 PM
  #3  
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS

Expert Gearhead
 
BillBoost37's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Enfield, CT
Posts: 41,391
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
BillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of light
Default

You see no slight seepage anywhere on the outside of the motor? Look on the trans under the throttle body. It'* a tough one to see usually.
Old 04-24-2006, 10:14 AM
  #4  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
ozarkirish87's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
ozarkirish87 is on a distinguished road
Default

I had the same problem a little less than a month ago. Coolant overflow was disappearing in about a week. No visible leaks or coolant smell. Went to the dealer and found out it was the upper and lower intake gaskets. It'* been running perfectly now with no noticeable damage to the motor that I can tell. Although that statement may come back to bite me!
Old 04-24-2006, 11:15 AM
  #5  
Junior Member
 
singscountry1967's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: North of Buffalo, NY *** NEBF '05, '06, '07 *** ***ONBF & NYBF 06; 07*** ***WCBF 06***
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
singscountry1967 is on a distinguished road
Default

oh me! oh me! oh me!
Coolant ever so slightly was dropping... 1/2 inch in 20k miles... then, just before NEBF....boom - bottom of the tank. Topped her off....no droppage since. Of course, I haven't checked her in a week. Will do so at lunchtime....
Old 04-24-2006, 02:52 PM
  #6  
Senior Member Emeritus
Posts like a Camaro
 
Chad V's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Grand Rapids, Iraq
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Chad V is on a distinguished road
Default

Mine was kinda like that, but I doubt mine will be around much longer.
Old 04-24-2006, 03:30 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
San Juan Cruiser's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Cortez Co
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
San Juan Cruiser is on a distinguished road
Default

When my LIM went I only ocasionally smelled it and could never see it until I cleaned my engine. Mine was leaking out of the bolt next to the #3 fuel injector and pooling up in the manifold. (I had previously dismissed the residue as a result of sloppy oil changes) What totally gave it away was the dark red color the residue turned after the engine was cleaned.

This was the easiest pic I could get of the holes on the mani but I would look extra carefull in all of the ports all the way around the mani.
http://i3.tinypic.com/wbozte.jpg

If you are comfortable with pulling the MAF screen and maybe the MAF sensor you can look in the trottlbody with a flashlight.I'd say since you cant ever smell it this is the one to check VERY closely
http://i3.tinypic.com/wbqkxj.jpg

Hint: an inspection mirror would greatly help for inspecting the back side of the mani and the bottom of the throttle body.

good luck
Old 04-24-2006, 09:35 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
Thread Starter
 
compyelc4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Bellbrook, Ohio
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
compyelc4 is on a distinguished road
Default

Thanks for the reply guys. I appreciate you all taking the time to help me. I see there are a few of you with the SLE'* and gasket problem. Do they use the same gaskets on the supercharged? I haven't really heard of any problems with SSEi manifold gasket leaks but anything is possible.

I'll pull the maf screen this weekend and check inside. I've been wanting to clean the throttle plate anyway.

To answer someone else, NOPE. No external leaks whatsoever.
Old 04-24-2006, 09:59 PM
  #9  
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

I was losing some a while back and I couldn't find anything to indicate a leak, either. Quite by accident, I found that the foam under the radiator was soaked with antifreeze. I replaced my radiator cap, and it'* been fine since.
Old 04-24-2006, 10:31 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
 
mike_peperni's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: montreal, Canada
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
mike_peperni is on a distinguished road
Default

Mine was leaking, very slightly, so let the car like that a while, thinking it was nothing, then i heard the valve clicking.... and needed my lifters cleaned.

Dunno if its coincidence, but couples month later my engine break, spun bearing, and needed a new engine...............................but.......... ............




Snot a problem anymore......



:(


edit: Ended my bonneville ownage with a 800th post....

Goodluck


Quick Reply: 2001 SSEi Losing Coolant



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:52 AM.