Help! losing coolant
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Help! losing coolant
I'm losing coolant now, about 1/2 litre over 6 months (that'* about 2 cups for my US neighbours.) The engine oil is clean and not foamy. Last oil change was in the summer. I'm not seeing huge amounts of steam coming out the tail pipe, nor is it sweet smelling. The intake is stamped 2005 I think (it'* a '97 Lesabre). My question is, do I have enough time to wait until spring to change the UIM gasket? Also, should I go the extra mile and change the LIM as well when I do change the UIM?
moved to it'* own thread Steve
moved to it'* own thread Steve
Last edited by sawgunner; Nov 14, 2009 at 05:46 PM. Reason: post moved to it's own thread
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True Car Nut
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Dover, NH
That was the story with my 2000. However upon further inspection i was leaking coolant to the outside of the motor as well as oil to the outside which has a nasty habit of causeing an engine fire you will want to do everything at once other wise it'* twice the work and a useless waste of money all the gaskets for the UIM have to be removed again to get to the LIM. here is the link to tell you how and get you going let us know if you need any help
https://www.gmforum.com/t278911/
https://www.gmforum.com/t278911/
Senior Member
True Car Nut
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,816
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From: Windsor, Ontario / Detroit, Michigan
One possible suspect is the coolant elbows. Read this thread:
https://www.gmforum.com/t284693/
Search for cooling elbows for more explanation, or post any questions you have.
https://www.gmforum.com/t284693/
Search for cooling elbows for more explanation, or post any questions you have.
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS
Expert Gearhead
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 41,391
Likes: 30
From: Enfield, CT
The typical failure is the UIM itself, not the gasket. Inside the UIM is a hole where the EGR (exhaust gasses) pass through a tube. That tube heats the plastic UIM and the UIM over many cycles cracks into a pressurized coolant port that leads to the throttle body. The pressure of the cooling system them pushes coolant into the motor. The LIM will hold approximately 1/2 gallon or about 2 litres for our neighbors to the north aka OP. 
At the point of the small amount missing, I would refill and keep an eye on the level. Some coolant can evaporate and a small amount over years is normal.
As others have pointed out, check for external leaks etc and if the UIM is suspected to be bad, replace it and the LIM gaskets at the same time. Or plug the coolant ports and have no future worries about the UIM failure.
At the point of the small amount missing, I would refill and keep an eye on the level. Some coolant can evaporate and a small amount over years is normal.
As others have pointed out, check for external leaks etc and if the UIM is suspected to be bad, replace it and the LIM gaskets at the same time. Or plug the coolant ports and have no future worries about the UIM failure.
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