1997 Cadillac SLS

SLS LADY

MEMBER
1997 CADILLAC SLS

1997 Cadillac SLS

We installed a new radiator including new hoses, clamps gasket. Thermostat and coolant. The "check coolant level" is coming on the dash. So, we fill the resevoir to the right level and the message goes off then after driving it for about 10 miles + it comes back on. The temperature gauge does not go beyond the middle. What is going on? There are no wet marks on the ground and no signs of leakage that we can see. What do we do next? I am not in a financial position to keep pampering this car but I am also not in a position to trade it for another used car problem. I still have other repairs to make to this vehicle to make it safe and roadworthy. Hopefully they will be ez to fix.

Thanks for your help

1 Reply

FACTORYJACK

MECHANIC
4,159 POSTS

If it is using coolant, and there are no verifiable external leaks, then it is most likely consuming it. Odds are that it has an internal leak. Most often what happens is the head bolt threads pull from the block, the result is leaking past the head gaskets. It may not be severe enough to cause an overheat. Some thing you might notice, other than the loss of coolant, is a slight rough run at startup after sitting. This is usually a sign that water has entered a cylinder, and the roughness is misfiring until the water is burned off.